KME sharpener

Popsickle

Popsickle

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
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Anyone have experience with the KME sharpener? Thinking of going for the diamond stone pack with base for about $200. I've had a wicked edge and an edge pro before. All I have now is a sharp maker
 
I have a kme. But I don't really like it. The clamp is cool. Just bought an edge pro, I like it but need to get the magnet kit. Only sharpened a Walmart knife so far and while it's a bit more difficult to use (left hand/right hand biases and having to hold the knife in position) I got better end results. But that's just my experience. Results will vary obviously.

If you go with kme I wish I would have got the bonded diamond stones from gritomatic instead of the kme stones (tho the kme beast and course stones remove material way faster, the bonded diamond stones give a better scratch pattern and crisper end results. Now I need to get the same stones or upgrade to cbn for my new edge pro.

Edit: get these knobs too
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/kme-replacement-knobs-handle.1486263/
 
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I own one and I'm impressed. Easy to set angles, easy to use and the knives are incredibly sharp after using it.

The clamp works well and allows the user to function on working the stone, not holding the knife.

I do need to upgrade to the Beast and the 3000 grit fine stone although I'm impressed with the basic stone set.

I own a Sharpmaker but needed to upgrade. It was between the KME, Wicked Edge and Edge Pro and dollar for dollar it seems like the best option and I'm very happy with it.
 
jbmonkey said:
dumb question, but if ya didnt keep the wicked edge and edge pro what would be different with the kme?
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lost the wicked edge in a house fire years ago.... was able to buy one back when they were becoming popular at a discount direct from the company. I bought an edge pro and never warmed up to it. I loved being able to clamp the knife in on the wicked edge, but I don't want to spend 500 on one lol. KME just seems like a nice alternative
 
Popsickle said:
lost the wicked edge in a house fire years ago.... was able to buy one back when they were becoming popular at a discount direct from the company. I bought an edge pro and never warmed up to it. I loved being able to clamp the knife in on the wicked edge, but I don't want to spend 500 on one lol. KME just seems like a nice alternative
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sorry...wow house fire. terrible. understood makes sense. thanks
 
I have been using the KME for a few years now. Overall it is an excellent device. It does have a few limitations; one being that it works better when it is clamping a flat portion of the knife blade. If you try to clamp a knife blade that does not have any flat portions, the angle can change when you flip the knife over.

This really isn't that big of a deal; the angle doesn't change that much, and it can be adjusted out. This issue probably isn't unique to KME, I'll bet other clamped/guided sharpening systems have the same issue.

I have been sharpening my 1095 knives freehand because of this issue (1095 steel sharpens fast which makes it a great steel to learn freehand sharpening). I would encourage you to least try freehand sharpening on a cheap knife before you spend the money on the KME.
 
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AmosPaul said:
It does have a few limitations; one being that it works better when it is clamping a flat portion of the knife blade. If you try to clamp a knife blade that does not have any flat portions, the angle can change when you flip the knife over.
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This is my major gripe with it. i find that so annoying. i had a similar issue with one side sharpening on the ken onion work sharp. one side was different than the other. again very annoying. sofar perfect edges with the one knife ive done sofar. need to test more blade profiles tho.
 
Same here. The way I delt with that was to put a couple pieces of painters tape on each side of the blade. That way, it gives the clamp an even purchase on ffg knives. It has worked well with the Spyderco mules. It works best if you put the strips of tape about 1/4" below the spine.
 
Pretty easy to set up and does't take any room so you can leave it on the bench with the Sharpmaker.

BUT, I find it frustrating to use.

The clamp works well with some knives and not well at all with others - mostly a variety of 3- 4" folders and 3.5" to 6" fixed blades I use. I find I really need to tighten it too much to secure some blades shapes. I haven't tried the tape trick. Importantly, knowing and repeating the set up that works well for each knife is a challenge. You need notes, photos, an angle device and maybe even an illustration or 2. A slight exaggeration there but my point is that repeatability is elusive. When it works it works very well but do it again with the same knife in a month ...

Maybe I need to study some techniques but then that means that the rig is not so intuitive. Just sayin'

Ray
 
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I love it, but it got limitations that allows you to hand finish. You got 90% of the job already done, so it's a pleasure to hand finish with some nice tunings ! If you're that down the rabbit hole.

It does not like complicated blades or big fixed blades.
 
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