is the wicked edge worth it?

[fvdk]

C'mon... a trigonometry whiz like you? Easy to adjust for... (but I think you know that already). . (Actually, no real trig. involved, just measure the offset.)



Maybe true, but then you have two setups and learn two ways. Not a big deal, but for some it's simpler to stick with one system.

Yes, I certainly know how I would have to adjust for it and I can not disagree with your second argument either but I have bought my first Lansky more than 30 years ago and for me it is still my go-to system for most of my pocket knives.

I realize that for a lot of people it might be simpler to stick with one system and I am certainly not the norm but for those who enjoy experimenting, it might be worth giving it a try and get the best of both worlds.

Frans

 

[fvdk]

Frans, on your pocket knives with relatively soft steels like the Vics (and most other traditionals), do you use the standard Lansky stones or the diamonds?

And do you find the base helpful or do you just hold the sharpener in your hand?

For the softer steels I prefer the standard Lansky stones as they give a nice smooth finish. I do not like the Lanky diamond stones very much because the one set that I have is not of the best quality but that could be an incident.

If I need to remove more steel and feel the need for diamonds, I use the DMT Aligner stones and holder which work at the same angles as the Lansky stones.

I never use the base and just hold the clamp in my hand.

I posted two videos on Youtube that show the complete process of re-profiling a Victorinox up to the point of a polished edge that easily push-cuts cigarette paper using the following progression:

280 grid medium AO stone
650 grid Arkansas stone
1000 grid ceramic stone
2000 grid Saphire stone
3 micron and 1 micron 3M diamond lapping film attached
0.3 micron strop

The video is boring as hell of course but who cares

[video=youtube;B52lFL0PzoE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B52lFL0PzoE[/video]

[video=youtube;AdDLILmj3XU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDLILmj3XU[/video]

Frans

 

[fvdk]

By the way, Frans, what do you use your Tormek for if you use your Wicked Edge for nearly every knife?

Well, I enjoy sharpening and just as a lot of people here collect knives and buy far more than they would ever practically need, I like to collect sharpening systems.

I like to experiment with them to see which one works best for a particular type of knife. Some like the Lansky, Wicked Edge and KME I use a lot and some I have used only once and probably sell again.

Frans

 

[cbwx34]

Well, I enjoy sharpening and just as a lot of people here collect knives and buy far more than they would ever practically need, I like to collect sharpening systems.

I like to experiment with them to see which one works best for a particular type of knife. Some like the Lansky, Wicked Edge and KME I use a lot and some I have used only once and probably sell again.

Frans

I'm pretty much the same. :thumbup:

 

[REK Knives]

The wicked edge and their customer service is top notch. They have had some quality issue over the years but have always taken care of them without issue.

 

[AFAustin]

Frans, thanks for posting those videos---very instructive and obviously great results. :thumbup:

cbwx34, thanks for posting the pic of the Tormek small knife jig. How low an angle can you manage on the tiny Vic Classic blade?

And speaking of the Tormek jig on the WE, check out post #8 in this thread where Josh puts a 12 dps edge on my small Case jack: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-Edge-for-Small-Blades-Gen-I-or-II-(or-III) Josh is a wizard with the WE and when I got the little Case back from him, I was wowed by the beautiful even bevels, not to mention it cut like a laser---and this was with him stopping at the 1000 grit diamonds with no ceramics or stropping---amazing.

Andrew

 

[toker]

I'm a Lansky user that upgraded to the Wicked Edge a few years ago. I was never a great sharpener and it wasn't until I go the Wicked Edge until I realized why. I could never match the angles correctly with the Lansky due differing knife sizes and blade widths. So I never thought much about it as I could always get a working edge.

When I bought a few more expensive knives like the Shun Taiyo, I decided I would get something better. After seeing the many rave reviews, I decided to go for it. I wish I spent that money earlier. The Wicked Edge is a very easy system, but more importantly to me, the results are repeatable and very quick. Once you set the angle for the particular knife, you simply use the same height and length position and angle. Then it's a few dozen passes to get the blade back to a really nice edge.

 

[fvdk]

Josh is a wizard with the WE and when I got the little Case back from him, I was wowed by the beautiful even bevels, not to mention it cut like a laser---and this was with him stopping at the 1000 grit diamonds with no ceramics or stropping---amazing.

Andrew

Yes, when I first got the Wicked Edge, I probably watched all of Josh's videos.

I was just thinking that it would probably be very easy and cheap to make a low angle adapter for the WE from a Lansky or Smith's clamp.
Must give it a try one of these days but I will probably need the longer arms and as usual, these are very hard to find here in the Netherlands :-(

Frans

 

[fvdk]

Frans, thanks for posting those videos---very instructive and obviously great results. :thumbup:

Thanks. I just sharpened another Victorinox

[video=youtube;0c-la7uG5Xo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c-la7uG5Xo[/video]

 

[cbwx34]

cbwx34, thanks for posting the pic of the Tormek small knife jig. How low an angle can you manage on the tiny Vic Classic blade?

The way it's setup in the picture, about 12 ½°. If you flip the knife around in Tormek jig, so that it sticks out in front of it, right around 6°.

 

[cbwx34]

I was just thinking that it would probably be very easy and cheap to make a low angle adapter for the WE from a Lansky or Smith's clamp.

That was actually the inspiration for the Low Angle Adapter (LAA), I cut up a Gatco clamp and showed it to Clay...

...between the LAA and the Tormek jig though, I think the Tormek jig is the better choice, on small knives in the LAA, you still end up hitting the clamp at a higher angle (not much lower than the angle just using the standard clamp), then you do with the Tormek jig.

 

[REK Knives]

That was actually the inspiration for the Low Angle Adapter (LAA), I cut up a Gatco clamp and showed it to Clay...

...between the LAA and the Tormek jig though, I think the Tormek jig is the better choice, on small knives in the LAA, you still end up hitting the clamp at a higher angle (not much lower than the angle just using the standard clamp), then you do with the Tormek jig.

Wow curtis... I like that one better than the stock LAA because it looks more sturdy and has much narrower tips, which the LAA lacks. Great job man!! :thumbup:

And I agree about the Tormek jig.

 

[fvdk]

Wow curtis... I like that one better than the stock LAA because it looks more sturdy and has much narrower tips, which the LAA lacks. Great job man!! :thumbup:

I agree, that looks very good. Did you grind the tip as well? It looks like it has a smaller angle than the standard Gatco clamp and with a smaller (or none) notch.

Frans

 

[AFAustin]

Yes, when I first got the Wicked Edge, I probably watched all of Josh's videos.

I was just thinking that it would probably be very easy and cheap to make a low angle adapter for the WE from a Lansky or Smith's clamp.
Must give it a try one of these days but I will probably need the longer arms and as usual, these are very hard to find here in the Netherlands :-(

Frans

Frans, Bob at Oldawan sells the longer arms (in 2 sizes) and it looks like he ships internationally. He's also listed as a BF paid dealer so I believe it's OK to post a link: http://www.oldawan.com/wicked-edge-precision-sharpener-accessories/?sort=featured&page=2 Bob and his crew know all things WE and provide great service.

Andrew

 

[fvdk]

Thanks Andrew,

I was aware of Oldawan selling them but ordering them from the US would make them very expensive.

The cheapest shipping option that is listed is: USPS (First Class Mail International Parcels) $28.50

Unfortunately, every item from outside of the EU with a stated value of more than €22,-/$24.50 will be charged with sales tax (in this case roughly $5) and a clearance fee of $15

So all-in-all it would cost me $28.99 + S28.50 + $ 20.- = $77,49

The import duty was invented to protect the domestic market from unfair competition from cheap labor countries but unfortunately it is doing just the opposite.
US sellers are very reluctant to state a lower value on the package (which is their good right of course) while Asian sellers usually state a value of just a few dollars, no matter what the real value is. That, combined with the usually free shipping or at least very cheap shipping is making those countries only stronger while our companies struggle to make a living.

I must have bought hundreds of items from Asia over the last 15 years and not ever did I have to pay any import charges no matter what the actual value was.
The only thing that ever happened was that I got a note from the post office that there was a package for me with no value stated and no invoice included in the package so they could not determine what the value was and asked me if I could show them in invoice or other proof of the value as otherwise they would have to charge me based on their best guess.

I have not made a study of the TTIP free trade agreement but I hope it will make things like this a bit easier.

Frans

 

[american21]

Going from a sharpmaker with all the extra rods around 200 bucks to a pro pack 1 for $425 I think so as it's basically a lifetime tool you will save tons of time this is coming from someone that has a 4 figure income. I went from sharpening certain knives that took me 2-3 days like 12 hours on the sharpmaker to an hour on the wicked

 

[cbwx34]

I agree, that looks very good. Did you grind the tip as well? It looks like it has a smaller angle than the standard Gatco clamp and with a smaller (or none) notch.

Frans

No, didn't grind the tip... it was from a pretty old Gatco kit.

 

[borage123]

i gotta say thanks to all of you, i learned alot about sharpening with just these comments alone

 

[BillL]

I can make a lot of knife sharpening enthusiasts happy if I buy all these items and mail them in Europe when I visit.
So far I've been visiting Europe every year (if my health allows it).

 

[fvdk]

I can make a lot of knife sharpening enthusiasts happy if I buy all these items and mail them in Europe when I visit.
So far I've been visiting Europe every year (if my health allows it).

I would certainly be very happy if you are able to do that. Please keep me in mind and if you are visiting the Netherlands I would be more than happy to buy you a drink.

Frans