Jigged sharpeners which one should I get

C

cap'njake

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Aug 15, 2016
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Getting a bonus in the next week or two and since I have been sharpening so many knives I am wanting to invest in a good jigged sharpening system. Problem is do I go with the edge pro, wicked edge, tech studio, kme... ugg so many choices. I am curious which is most sturdy, easiest to use, fastest to set up, and most versitle. Looking to get as much as possible for about $750

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If you really want to spend $750, consider the Wicked Edge.

Me, I just don't have a need or desire for that kind of highly polished mirrored edges. I'd get the KME Deluxe kit with an extra kangaroo strop and the convexing rod.
 
The basic Wicked Edge is $300 and is a great investment.
 
Edge Pro with a nice range of stones for $200-$300, or Wicked Edge Pro Pack with upgraded arms and lots of stones for up to your limit of $750. I haven't used the KME, but understand that it's very good, too. I just thought I'd get this in before somebody suggests $750 worth of stones to freehand and probably produce inferior results.
 
I really like my TS Profile K02. You can use pretty much any stones in it, including the Edge Pro stones on the beveled mounts, although full size stones are a bit heavy, so you are not locked into buying for one specific brand and paying their markups. If you already have some stones you could get a wet tile saw and cut them about 1-1.5 inches wide and use them in the Profile. The knife clamps can be adjusted for anything from really thin knives to really thick ones with a heavy bevel. IIRC the normal clamps can hold knives up to 7mm thick. With the normal clamps can go as low as about 10 degrees or so, maybe a bit less if you have a wide knife that sticks out more. The narrow clamps allow you to get to 7 degrees or so. There are also specific places to put a digital angle cube on the base and sharpening arm to make sure the angle is exactly where you want it.

Will you only sharpen knives? Or do you want to do chisels, scissors, draw knives or other tools as well? How about accessories? The K02 scissor attachment was $26 last I checked, the Edge Pro scissor attachment is $135. The Profile has a table attachment that you can use to clamp thicker objects or even tighten it down and use it exactly like an Edge Pro. It also has T nut slots so you can make your own clamps and accessories for it. You could sharpen a lawn mower blade on this thing if you were so inclined so I would have to say it has the POTENTIAL to be the most versatile but you need a few accessories to get the most out of it.

I think the only one that comes close in the sturdiness department is the Wicked Edge Gen 3, but that runs $850. The Profile does not include a base but you can attach it to pretty much anything with the included C clamp, or there are 2 holes so you can make your own base and screw it down. If you do want to get the base it is a good chunk of steel, probably in the 15-20 lbs range, very nicely finished with a black coating and a chromed trim ring on the edge.

It is fairly bulky and if you are going to be carting it around from place to place, in and out of your vehicle etc, you may want to get either the custom made foam lined carrying case (For an extra $100) or go with a different unit. This is where the others shine. The KME and Edge Pro are far more portable.

I would say that ease of use is a wash. Some people find their chosen units the easiest to use while others think they are a PITA. With an Edge Pro you don't need to fuss with clamps but you are forced to hold the blade by hand which can get really tiresome if you are spending a few hours trying to reprofile a supersteel blade and requires a lot of attention, the other clamp based systems can almost be used while watching TV for instance. The KME has a nice easy clamping system but it isn't as robust as the others (from what I have seen), the Wicked Edge clamp only moves on 1 side which is a flaw. The Profile clamps can be adjusted to perfectly fit most grinds but you have to deal with several screws and it can take longer and be more fiddly depending on just how perfect you want to be.

Every system has its pros and cons and will each excel in different areas. Do research and figure out exactly what you need it for and what you will be sharpening then figure out if you want a more mobile device or something that will not move.

If I am misinformed about anything I have posted about the other systems then please correct me. I do not have personal experience with them, just what I have read and seen watching videos of others using them.
 
esurm said:
I really like my TS Profile K02. You can use pretty much any stones in it, including the Edge Pro stones on the beveled mounts, although full size stones are a bit heavy, so you are not locked into buying for one specific brand and paying their markups. If you already have some stones you could get a wet tile saw and cut them about 1-1.5 inches wide and use them in the Profile. The knife clamps can be adjusted for anything from really thin knives to really thick ones with a heavy bevel. IIRC the normal clamps can hold knives up to 7mm thick. With the normal clamps can go as low as about 10 degrees or so, maybe a bit less if you have a wide knife that sticks out more. The narrow clamps allow you to get to 7 degrees or so. There are also specific places to put a digital angle cube on the base and sharpening arm to make sure the angle is exactly where you want it.

Will you only sharpen knives? Or do you want to do chisels, scissors, draw knives or other tools as well? How about accessories? The K02 scissor attachment was $26 last I checked, the Edge Pro scissor attachment is $135. The Profile has a table attachment that you can use to clamp thicker objects or even tighten it down and use it exactly like an Edge Pro. It also has T nut slots so you can make your own clamps and accessories for it. You could sharpen a lawn mower blade on this thing if you were so inclined so I would have to say it has the POTENTIAL to be the most versatile but you need a few accessories to get the most out of it.

I think the only one that comes close in the sturdiness department is the Wicked Edge Gen 3, but that runs $850. The Profile does not include a base but you can attach it to pretty much anything with the included C clamp, or there are 2 holes so you can make your own base and screw it down. If you do want to get the base it is a good chunk of steel, probably in the 15-20 lbs range, very nicely finished with a black coating and a chromed trim ring on the edge.

It is fairly bulky and if you are going to be carting it around from place to place, in and out of your vehicle etc, you may want to get either the custom made foam lined carrying case (For an extra $100) or go with a different unit. This is where the others shine. The KME and Edge Pro are far more portable.

I would say that ease of use is a wash. Some people find their chosen units the easiest to use while others think they are a PITA. With an Edge Pro you don't need to fuss with clamps but you are forced to hold the blade by hand which can get really tiresome if you are spending a few hours trying to reprofile a supersteel blade and requires a lot of attention, the other clamp based systems can almost be used while watching TV for instance. The KME has a nice easy clamping system but it isn't as robust as the others (from what I have seen), the Wicked Edge clamp only moves on 1 side which is a flaw. The Profile clamps can be adjusted to perfectly fit most grinds but you have to deal with several screws and it can take longer and be more fiddly depending on just how perfect you want to be.

Every system has its pros and cons and will each excel in different areas. Do research and figure out exactly what you need it for and what you will be sharpening then figure out if you want a more mobile device or something that will not move.

If I am misinformed about anything I have posted about the other systems then please correct me. I do not have personal experience with them, just what I have read and seen watching videos of others using them.
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Thanks I took another look at the k02 and I like how robust and over built it is. I am definitely leaning more that way. Don't know if I want to go ahead and maybe buy some shapton glass stones for the edge pro to use with it instead of using the stones they sell with it. I definitely will have a little extra to spend on them.

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TS Profile, if you can wait for it. Else try the edge pro, if that doesn't do it for you try KME. Wicked edge is too expensive but if you sharpen knives for a 2nd job you can make some back. My buddy has a tormac and loves it, worth it if you sharpen alot because it takes the least amount of time to sharpen, but costs alot especially if you get the Japanese finishing stone.
 
I looked at the tormek t8 and would love it I think just can't afford that much right now.

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im invested into a wicked edge myself, but looking at the KME system i wish i had known about it how...LOL
 
HeavyHanded said:
I have a Triton, it does a real nice job - bit of a learning curve though.
Click to expand...
Never heard of it before but just looked it up. And looks like a direct rip off of the tormek but with a diamond wheel instead. Nice.

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First off every jig system sucks with super long, flexible and skinny fillet knives. I use 9" dexter Russell fillet knives year round and while each system can do a decent job none of them are really great at it.

Sturdiest system I've ever used is the Edge Pro Professional. I had them ship me the screw base and I've permanently mounted it on my work bench. The suction base is really sturdy too but I've got wood tops in my garage.

Easiest to use for noobs was the Wicked Edge. We all have friends that are just not mechanically inclined. Even the worst of them can sharpen after a small explanation of how the system worked. Hardest part was getting them to stop before the stone slipped off the tip and there by rounding it off. That one grew feet and left me.

Fastest to setup is a wash.

Most versatile is the Edge Pro. 28" machetes down to little Swiss Army knife blades. The scissor attachment works really well unless you have convex hair trimming scissors and then your off into a whole other world with those things. I did sharpen a fiskars hatchet on the edge pro just for fun. It works but nothing beats a belt sander.

If I had to do it all over again I'd still get the edge pro professional. It covers my scissors, shears, nicer pocket knives and fixed blades. Use stones freehand for the really small stuff. Everything else goes on the VFD controlled belt sander.

I don't like clamps anymore since I've come to realize that most of my knives are full flat ground with distal tapers.

Quite frankly I'd like to see everyone just standardize on the edge pro type stone holders. The dove tail design works and I doubt it'll ever go away now that several aftermarket stones are available for the edge pro so why fight it.




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cap'njake said:
Ya but I don't know that I would like it. The motor isn't rated for continuous use like the t8 and it isn't as versatile.

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Click to expand...

Not to pollute your thread (since it wasn't on your radar to begin with)... but unless you're running a full time business... I doubt the "continuos use" would be an issue. As for versatility... I'd be curious what you're seeing the T-4 wouldn't do, that you need?

As for your other choices... I think part of the answer of "which one"... depends on your goal(s). You mentioned you've been sharpening "so many knives"... are you looking at a business setup? Volume might eliminate the KME for example. Also look at other things like, what if something breaks (down time), replacement parts, customer service, etc. And, what type of knives do you mostly think you'll sharpen? All are decent sharpeners... so you might look at "external factors" to help make a decision... and be bit more specific on what your goals are.

OTOH, if you're mostly still sharpening as a hobby, and/or like trying different setups (like I do), you might consider dividing your bonus between a couple of your considerations. Might be more enjoyable in the long run.

Just a couple of thoughts! :)
 
The T4 has a smaller wheel and produces a more pronounced hollow edge than the T8
While this might be ok for chisels and tools, I preferred the larger wheel for knives.
The T8 also has a new mechanism to raise and lower the water tray, which I found to be a real pain on the T7.
 
cbwx34 said:
Not to pollute your thread (since it wasn't on your radar to begin with)... but unless you're running a full time business... I doubt the "continuos use" would be an issue. As for versatility... I'd be curious what you're seeing the T-4 wouldn't do, that you need?

As for your other choices... I think part of the answer of "which one"... depends on your goal(s). You mentioned you've been sharpening "so many knives"... are you looking at a business setup? Volume might eliminate the KME for example. Also look at other things like, what if something breaks (down time), replacement parts, customer service, etc. And, what type of knives do you mostly think you'll sharpen? All are decent sharpeners... so you might look at "external factors" to help make a decision... and be bit more specific on what your goals are.

OTOH, if you're mostly still sharpening as a hobby, and/or like trying different setups (like I do), you might consider dividing your bonus between a couple of your considerations. Might be more enjoyable in the long run.

Just a couple of thoughts! :)
Click to expand...
Kinda keeping an eye on turning it into at least a part time business. Wpuld like to start sharpening at gun shows and such. I don't have a massive volume right now typically 20 to 30 knives a week. More during deer season. I also have a full time job that works me usually 45 to 55 hours a week. But word of mouth has more and more people calling me and bringing me knives. At the same time I also sharpen scissors and pinking shears for a local quilting club and my dad owns a welding shop and had been wanting me to sharpen drill bits. So that is my long drawn out dilemma. I am looking for an investment that will last a long time and is able to do as much as possible. A tormek would be fantastic since I could do everything on one machine. But the cost of all those jigs and wheels is kinda restrictive for now

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