Just ordered a edge pro

gunfreak101

gunfreak101

Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
338
I just ordered a edge pro apex anybody got any tips to make it a little easier to use. I am going to use it on my FFBM it has done alot of chopping and needs some attention bad.
 
I have some tips but you wont like them.

Learn to sharpen first on stones or sandpaper. This will give you the skills to make a edge pro sing.

Learning to sharpen with a edge pro is like learning computers after Windows 98 came about. With out learning DOS and basic file management skills the best you can be is gently retarded. :D

On the other hand if you learn with DOS and or stones you understand conceptually what you are doing and have base level skills. :D
 
I have an EP and it is a great tool and I'm glad I have one.

But as I get better and better at making things sharp I use it less and less. Now I pretty much just use it to regrind edges. 99% of the time I just use a strop or sand paper:thumbup:
 
Practice on cheap knives first. I had some dumpster knives and my old Chicago Cutlery set to practice on.

I still botched my first attempt at a Busse. I fixed it with sand paper and a mouse pad, my HD has a little less belly now.

Tony's right, I use it now to generally set the edge angle, and finish up on the mouse pad.

I still use it to keep my kitchen knives scary.
 
Same here Tony. I use it for the refrofile but then crock sticks, stones, sand paper, and strops are what I use to maintain them. And with INFI that is cake. :)
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Same here Tony. I use it for the refrofile but then crock sticks, stones, sand paper, and strops are what I use to maintain them. And with INFI that is cake. :)
Click to expand...


I just put an order in for a good steel too.

What I like about staying away from standard sharpening methods is that you don't grind away steel.... expensive steel :eek: :eek: :eek:

Now if I had as much money as PorkDucci well I'd just grind away:D :thumbup:

.
 
Tony G said:
I just put an order in for a good steel too.

What I like about staying away from standard sharpening methods is that you don't grind away steel.... expensive steel :eek: :eek: :eek:

Now if I had as much money as PorkDucci well I'd just grind away:D :thumbup:

.
Click to expand...


That bears repeating :thumbup:

LOL
 
The Hog I bought mine from says I never use it
 

Attachments

  • apex1.jpg
    apex1.jpg
    61.5 KB · Views: 290
  • apex2.jpg
    apex2.jpg
    30.3 KB · Views: 77
  • apex3.jpg
    apex3.jpg
    28.5 KB · Views: 281
Tony G said:
I have an EP and it is a great tool and I'm glad I have one.

But as I get better and better at making things sharp I use it less and less. Now I pretty much just use it to regrind edges. 99% of the time I just use a strop or sand paper:thumbup:
Click to expand...

This echos my thoughts as well. :thumbup:

-Dan
 
gimmejr said:
The Hog I bought mine from says I never use it
Click to expand...

attachment.php


attachment.php


Wow, you really whittled down that Battle Mistress :eek: You gots some 'Ducci blood in your veins! :D
 
gimmejr said:
The Hog I bought mine from says I never use it
Click to expand...

hahaha... Looks like you finally put that thing to use. The original owner must be proud :D

The Edgepro is in my opinion one of the best sharpening systems out there. It is a great tool for the beginner because one can easily achieve great results with very little practice. Once you know how a scary sharp edge can be attained, look and feel.... you can then move on to other sharpening methods and strive to achieve the same results.

I first learned how to sharpen and appreciate a scary sharp edge because of the EdgePro. I hardly ever use it anymore nowadays because I learned other methods of sharpening. Still, I would never sell mine and never even for a second regret buying it.

I would recommend picking up a few extra Coarse and X-Coarse stones. The FBM is a big knife and the stone X-Coarse stone will definitely be dished out by the time you are done. Hence, my next point. If funds allow, pick up a 8" X-Coarse DMT Diamond Hone. You can use it to maintain and flatten out your edgepro stones or any other water stones for that matter. Down the road you can learn how to use that X-Coarse DMT to free hand hog out lots of metal quickly.
 
I have been debating picking up a EP over a Belt Sander and a slew of belts which may still cost me less than the full EP package. Anyone have thoughts on the Belt Sander method over the EP method? I would just get a 1" sander from Harbor Freight an tool
 
The belt sander method is also great. It takes a bit more skill and the chances of doing irreversible damages to the knife is much higher. But on the flip side it also gets the job done much more quickly. The belt sander method is not something I would recommend to a newbie. Especially ones that don't have steady hands. You can easily screw up the finish of your blade with a accidental swipe from a coarse belt. Also, overheating the edge is a very real possibility. Especially with finer grit belts. The smaller and shorter the belt the faster things heat up. Also, the finer the grit belt the faster things heat up. Keep this in mind if you embark in this path.

Another option to the belt sander method is to use sharpening wheels attached to buffer/grinder. It is also very fast and you can achieve some stupid sharp edges with this method.

It is really hard to compare these methods to the EdgePro because they are so vastly different.

EdgePro:
Pros: 1) Easy to learn and achieve great results 2)moderately fast 3)extremely consistent angles
Cons: 1) Expensive 2) More setup and cleaning involved

Belt Sander:
Pros: 1) Extremely fast
Cons: 1) a little earning curve involved 2) higher chances of damaging knife 3)may or may not be consistent depending on skill level
 
I have been using stones and handsanding and then going to a buffer for a while. So i kinda want to take the next step.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top