Ken Onion Work Sharp

zakjak221

zakjak221

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Apr 3, 2010
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I hand sharpen with Arkansas Stones & DMT Stones with good results.
Mostly just touch up with ceramic & strop.
Seen a few posts on the Ken Onion Work Sharp for Convexing & killer edges.
So for the guy's who own one...Are they worth it?:confused:
 
Now I hand sharpen, but in my quest to learn how to put a killer edge on all my blades and axes I picked up the original work sharp. It does what they say. In fact I still use it to sharpen any new blade to knock back the factory bevels and always on the Machax and a Blur which don't do well on my 2x8 diamond plates.
As my luck goes, the KO came out just after I bought the original and can't justify it yet.
 
I should clarify: I have both. Got the original (non - KO) first and loved it.....but traded into the KO version and REALLY love it. Variable speed, the belts it takes are a lot better than the other version, adjustable angles.....there is a LOT to love about the KO Worksharp. Prolly oughta get rid of the other one now....

And this is not even considering all the accessories like the knife grinding kit and all the rest....It's a VERY nice tool.
 
anyone tried the leather belt kit for it? I'm not convinced that i would like it better than a diamond stone for the initial edge, though i think i might like having a belt sander design for a strop - might make things go a little faster when i want to put a mirror finish on an edge
 
The KO is one of the best mechanical sharpeners I have ever used. The belts are amazing, its versatile, and FAST! Also, the 6000 grit belt does put a pretty nice shine on the edge. Only takes a few secs on the 'ol strop to make it mirror, as the KO gets it about 75% of the way there.
 
The folks at Darex are great folks, and the KO is pretty bad ass. They have some sweet attachments for it too. I now have it and the KME as well. I LOVE them both.
 
So what do you guys think about sharpening on stones? I've been learning (slowly). Should I just forget that and get a KO?
 
JWheel said:
So what do you guys think about sharpening on stones? I've been learning (slowly). Should I just forget that and get a KO?
Click to expand...

Ive used stones for some 30 odd years. Gotta say the KO is brilliant. I use it all the time now. Like going from a manual to an Automatic vehicle. I still use stones to maintain though and obviously in the field. I stil enjoy getting an edge with a stone.

Those convex edges can be dangerously sharp. I say do yourself a favour - if anything have the best of both worlds. great for axes ect and kitchen knives as well. My wife was amazed how sharp our blades in the kitchen are now.
 
JWheel said:
So what do you guys think about sharpening on stones? I've been learning (slowly). Should I just forget that and get a KO?
Click to expand...

stones suck :D

it took me a long time, on my own to figure it out.

weird, because it's natural now.

old knowledge new knowledge.

if you can use a file and a stone to sharpen your knife, you need nothing else for the rest of your life

though, if you MAKE knives, doing it by hand? nope. buy some proper gear. like a KMG :D

if you are modding? you might appreciate power assist. buy the KO or even a harbor freight, and a lot of sandpaper!

don't forget a strop though.
 
I have one, and it's great. It takes quite a bit of practice, which they mention. I recommend starting with a slow speed with a low abrasive belt while you learn.
 
If you are already proficient with stones, creating a convex edge shouldn't be an issue.

The WS, or any other power tool, enables faster results ... and faster errors. ;)
 
Pretty dang happy with my KOWS. Still getting to know it but I've already convexed most of my fixies and used it to re-tip an old slipjoint that came to me broken off.

It's a great tool and one of my favorite features is it's portability. I can plug it in and work right on the kitchen counter or move it to the dining room, etc. Also, it's pretty quiet for the most part.
I can't do any work in my garage this time of year because it's way too hot so using the KO Work Sharp in the house was at first kind of sketchy because I was afraid it would wake the kids at night but they don't even hear it.
 
I am no expert with hand sharpening, but I get by.

With the KOWS, I'm darned near an expert - or at least the stuff I cut with my knives thinks so.
 
I had recent experience with the belt Ken Onion Work Sharp. It will definitely sharpen your knives within 5~10min very sharp.

The downside is I have a Lansky Stone and Diamond sharpener and the level of sharpness is at a different level. You go from sharp knife to razor blade sharp with the Lansky. It does take 20~30min per knife in sub 4in size for me though.

Just look at what the sharpening service shops use for optimum sharpness. They use belt sanders for sharp knifes at reduced rates and nearly double the price on manual clamp sharpeners for even more sharpness.

My first experience with knife sharpening was the Ken Onion work sharp and moved up to the Lansky and eventually I will get the wicked edge pro.


My recommendation is to get a Clamp style sharpener and go straight to diamonds or ceramics. Don't bother with the stones, its just painfully slow to get the degree's going on first time knives you have.


best,
bigC
 
Love the work sharp, it's definitely the fastest way to convex and there very sharp.

You can get a scary sharp knife in minutes. Last night I convexed my other bk2 the old fashion way cause I need to replace my belts. (Trying to teach my lil one how to use it and she dug the knife into them cutting em a lil bit) and it took 10 times longer to do it. You just gotta watch your tip and go slow at first, and once you have your technique down it's simple to do.

Here's a few I've done with wskt-ko

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the bk2 I originally set my bevel with the wskt-ko then used the mouse pad method finish it up and maintain it.

zCitMlH.jpg

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Bobby,
What belt(s) are you using to convex a knife that does not already have a convex bevel?
 
SALTY said:
Bobby,
What belt(s) are you using to convex a knife that does not already have a convex bevel?
Click to expand...
It depends really, for example if I'm sharpening a knife that has a 20° per side factory edge and I want to stick with it I start out on the course belt. I usually do about 15 passes per side and then Sharpie the edge and do another pass to make sure I've set the bevel. Then proceed thru the remaining grits and strop it.

If I'm reprofiling from say 25° to 20° I start with the extra course and do how many ever passes it takes to set the bevel then proceed thru the grits again.The Sharpie trick is really helpful when reprofiling.


I'll also ad that imo that extra extra finr purple belt is garbage. Yea it'll polish it up but in my experience it dulls the knife, I've stopped on the x4 belt and had a tree topping sharp edge then used the purple belt and it wouldn't even shave anymore.
 
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Hey Bobby! I knew you'd chime in since you're one of the main reasons I got my KO WS :thumbup:;)

I've found the purple belt is problematic too... Kind of odd about that, no?

I wonder if it's the technique we're using or something with the material on it that is counterproductive.

Anyways, have you (or anyone else) gotten the grinding attachment yet? I've heard different opinions on it's effectiveness.
 
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