Is the Wicked Edge worth a try if I already own EP?

[fvdk]

rolleroh2: I always find it difficult to advise a particular system as it is so personal and what works for me might not work for you so please keep in mind that these are just my personal preferences.

I am not a big fan of powered systems and sharpen most of my knives on the WE, KME and Lansky (depending on the type of knife and in that order of preference).
I hardly use the Work Sharp and if I use it, it is more or less freehand without using the guide and mainly for a quick utility edge on knives that I not really care about. I use the Tormek mostly to sharpen scissors but if you are looking for a powered system than I fully agree with cbwx34's advise.

As for the non powered systems, If you are able to use both hands, the WE would be my first choice followed by the KME which can be used with just one hand.

 

[No1up]

The worksharp Ken Onion with the blade attachment needs to be in any sharpening arsenal. It's tops!

I would not own any other system without already owning my WSKO after about 4 knives it the sound and feel will be second nature and you won't even count strokes anymore.

 

[banksy]

rolleroh2: I always find it difficult to advise a particular system as it is so personal and what works for me might not work for you so please keep in mind that these are just my personal preferences.

I am not a big fan of powered systems and sharpen most of my knives on the WE, KME and Lansky (depending on the type of knife and in that order of preference).
I hardly use the Work Sharp and if I use it, it is more or less freehand without using the guide and mainly for a quick utility edge on knives that I not really care about. I use the Tormek mostly to sharpen scissors but if you are looking for a powered system than I fully agree with cbwx34's advise.

As for the non powered systems, If you are able to use both hands, the WE would be my first choice followed by the KME which can be used with just one hand.

I see you have the Japanese waterstone for the Tormek. What kind of results are you getting? Do you use that by swapping the wheels over for final finishing? Is it a worthwhile upgrade overall?
I'm getting a very sharp finish with the standard T7 but not the prettiest edge.
Thanks

 

[fvdk]

I see you have the Japanese waterstone for the Tormek. What kind of results are you getting? Do you use that by swapping the wheels over for final finishing? Is it a worthwhile upgrade overall?

This is a picture of a knife that was re-profiled with the standard stone, graded to 1000 grid and finished with the waterstone so just a two-step process. I swap the stones as the waterstone is so fine and takes away so little metal that it is usually only suitable for a final finish or touching up an already sharpened knife.

The waterstone is expensive (€220.-) but it will probably last a lifetime. If it is within your budget and sees a lot of use than I would say it is worth the upgrade.

Frans

 

[banksy]

This is a picture of a knife that was re-profiled with the standard stone, graded to 1000 grid and finished with the waterstone so just a two-step process. I swap the stones as the waterstone is so fine and takes away so little metal that it is usually only suitable for a final finish or touching up an already sharpened knife.

The waterstone is expensive (€220.-) but it will probably last a lifetime. If it is within your budget and sees a lot of use than I would say it is worth the upgrade.

Frans

Thanks, that's a huge improvement over the standard stone.

 

[HeavyHanded]

This is a picture of a knife that was re-profiled with the standard stone, graded to 1000 grid and finished with the waterstone so just a two-step process. I swap the stones as the waterstone is so fine and takes away so little metal that it is usually only suitable for a final finish or touching up an already sharpened knife.

The waterstone is expensive (€220.-) but it will probably last a lifetime. If it is within your budget and sees a lot of use than I would say it is worth the upgrade.

Frans

Does the waterstone mount / unmount and stay true?

I have the Triton, bought primarily for really beat up woodworking tools. It does a good job, but I can see where a finishing wheel of that quality would be nice to have! I might be tempted to use it for more types of tools. I'd actually be tempted to buy another unit and use the two in tandem, just make sure the guides are identically placed.

To the OP, for powered system I have a Triton wet wheel (very much like a Tormek), a belt grinder, a horizontal disk system.

Of the three when it comes to sharpening, the wet wheel does the nicest job with least amount of issue. It isn't the fastest, but it does a real nice job and zero worries about the heat treat. Once you get familiar with using the jigs the set-up time is quick, level of repeatability is high and the unit itself is quiet, steady, relaxing to use.

The belt grinder I use mostly for regrinds and initial grinds on heavily worn tools - then I switch to freehand.

The horizontal disk system is too precise to be used without a guide and even then, it tends to reveal every little warp or ripple in the primary grind. I have diamond disks for it and will give it to my daughter when she gets a little older so she can polish (semi) precious stones on it.

Edit:
Do you have any idea who makes the 4k stone for Tormek?

 

[fvdk]

Does the waterstone mount / unmount and stay true?

Edit:
Do you have any idea who makes the 4k stone for Tormek?

Yes, it does stay true with mounting / unmounting. Using the stone grader to clean the stone can make a difference but the T7 comes with the TT-50 truing tool so you can always make the stone perfectly true again but so far I have not needed to use it.

I have no idea who makes the Japanese waterstone. I just looked but there is no country of origin mentioned on the label so that's no clue either.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Yes, it does stay true with mounting / unmounting. Using the stone grader to clean the stone can make a difference but the T7 comes with the TT-50 truing tool so you can always make the stone perfectly true again but so far I have not needed to use it.

I have no idea who makes the Japanese waterstone. I just looked but there is no country of origin mentioned on the label so that's no clue either.

Holy Cow, just checked the price for the 10" version and is close to $400. Would still be nice to have....

I see Dieter Schmid has 800 and 4k wheels made by King as well for a bit less - that would make a nice combo too.

 

[fvdk]

Holy Cow, just checked the price for the 10" version and is close to $400. Would still be nice to have....

Yes, for once it is cheaper in Europe (€220.- / $248.-) but that is how I feel whenever I buy something from the US.
A set of Wicked Edge 5000/10000 Naniwa Chosera stones for example is €399.-/$451.- here in the Netherlands. That is nearly twice the US price.