KME vs. EdgePro vs. Belt grinder

MVF

MVF

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
2,811
Hi all, I've been planning on getting an EdgePro as soon as the budget was up for it. I've also assumed I'd be getting a belt grinder (sander?) eventually- probably just a fairly cheap 2"x42" one.

I recently saw the KME sharpener, and even though it doesn't look as bullet proof as the EdgePro, it's cheaper, even with the diamond stones. In the process of trying to make up my mind, I started to wonder if I should get either one, or just get the belt grinder. HELP!

At this point I'm going around in circles- my thought was to mainly use the sharpener for reprofiling and setting a good, consistent edge angle, and then using either sandpaper or a strop to slightly convex my edges (I like convex edges). Is this valid, or should I just save the money to get the belt grinder?

Thanks for all the help that's here!
 
1x30 belt sander for me. Somewhere there is a tutorial by Jerry Hossom on how to do it. I can't seem to find it right now but I'm sure someone will be along shortly with the link.
 
Thanks for the replies! I sure expected more discussion on this one. After reading Jerry's tutorial, I can see why you'd choose that, but why the Edge-Pro, Ben? The KME seems to do the same thing cheaper. I take it you don't like convex edges?
 
I'm also interested in this one.

I'm worried about free handing things too much as I have NOT perfected any kind of sharpening technique. That's one thing I liked about the edge pro. It seems as there is no room for error once you figure out the correct angle.

Could someone post a link to the tutorial by Jerry Hossom?

That KME sharpener does look like a similar solution to the edge pro but without the high price.
 
bkrosco said:
I'm also interested in this one.


That KME sharpener does look like a similar solution to the edge pro but without the high price.
Click to expand...

Do not be deluded by low price. John Ruskin said:

"There is nothing that some man can't make worse and sell cheaper, and those who consider price only are this man's legitimate prey!"

The Edge Pro is the CHEAPEST sharpening system made, in the long run! :thumbup::):thumbup:
 
Ben Dover said:
Do not be deluded by low price. John Ruskin said:

"There is nothing that some man can't make worse and sell cheaper, and those who consider price only are this man's legitimate prey!"

The Edge Pro is the CHEAPEST sharpening system made, in the long run! :thumbup::):thumbup:
Click to expand...

I've been using a KME for some time now and it does everything I need it to do. It's well made, fairly priced and uses DMT diamond hones. Different strokes for different folks.
 
I've never used KME, but have both the EP and belt sander. My usual method when I get a new knife is to take the edge bevel WAY down. On my big ones, 20 deg inclusive (usually) on my smaller ones, 10 - 15 deg. It depends on what I want it for and how I'm going to use it.

I have used the EP for this, and you will go through the extra coarse stones fairly quickly, it's really removing a lot of metal. The belt sander is much, much faster. Say 10 - 20 minutes of work compared to 2 - 3 hours. It's not pretty, however, but it's fast.

But the EP gives you a beautiful edge that is truly picture perfect. It also can get things sharper on a more consistent basis than anything I've ever used.

The EP gets my nod, but it certainly is fun to have a belt sander to augment it.
 
sodak said:
But the EP gives you a beautiful edge that is truly picture perfect. It also can get things sharper on a more consistent basis than anything I've ever used.

The EP gets my nod, but it certainly is fun to have a belt sander to augment it.
Click to expand...


No question! I use the belt sander also for rough work like repairs to damaged blades, and thinning out "sharpened prybars." :p
 
For standard model flat angle edges, the Edge Pro is the best. Period.

I seldom use it at this point, as I've switched to a Delta 1x42 belt grinder. With a good selection of belt grits and some leather belts, there just isn't a better system. Knives, machetes, axes, car bumpers - you name it!

If you go with the belt grinder, be sure to practice quite a bit with some cheap knives - there is a learning curve!


p.s. If you go to "the other forum", and scroll down to the Jerry Hossum section, there are a couple of long threads that are all about using a small belt grinder to sharpen knives. Lots of good info there.
 
Never used the KME. I have the Edge Pro. Its what I use the most. I have diamond sharpeners for it also by the way but rarely use them.

So long as you remember to tape off corectly to protect the blades from scratches you'll never have a reason to not love the EP. Its fast, accurate and easy to use although you do have to have the ability to use both hands. If you are one with a worthless weak side you may not like it that much. For me its not a problem but I've talked with some and loaned my own once to someone and that came up. Not sure if the KME is the same or not in that regard.

I'd also check on the replacment costs of the stones and sharpeners it uses before deciding. Sometimes you find that you end up paying in other ways with things and that the initial cost is not the only factor to look into.

STR
 
Grampa, since you seem happy with both methods, which do you use the most? Particularly, what do you still put flat edges on?

Thanks for the link IUKE12, the one I had seen was the one Grampa referred to.

STR, thanks for the heads-up. One of the things I liked about the KME was that it says you can use any 4" stone that fits in the mount. Is that the same for the EP?

I guess at this point I'm wondering if you get good with the belt grinder, will you still want to use the EP or KME?
 
I tried everything but my go to now is the 1 inch by 30 belt sander. I can do about anything with that and it about 1/3 the price of the EP. I like the EP although I have just used my sons. I don't own one. My belt sander was under 50.00 delivered. I have done probably a hundred knives on it so far.
 
MVF said:
Grampa, since you seem happy with both methods, which do you use the most? Particularly, what do you still put flat edges on?
Click to expand...

I use the belt grinder almost exclusively at this point. I like the way convex edges work, and seldom need to put a flat angle on any of my knives. Any knife I use gets reprofiled to convex.

If for some reason I decided I wanted to put a good flat angle on a knife, I would probably get out the EdgePro, especially if I wanted to get real fussy about an exact angle.

However, with the belt grinder, I can get beautiful mirror polished, scary-sharp edges that last well in real use, with any steel, and do it all in less than half the time it takes with the Edge Pro. What's not to like? :D
 
When using a belt grinder/sander, do you worry about the heat causing problems with the steel's tempering?

I am looking at changing things up a little on the sharpening end of things. Currently using a Gatco system, but thinking that convexed edges might be better, I'm looking at the different options.
 
Jarhead, keep a bucket of water near and dip the blade quite often. The idea is to keep the heat away, not to get it hot then cool it. Light pressure, quicker passes, and plenty of water cooling is the way to go.
 
jeep45238 said:
Jarhead, keep a bucket of water near and dip the blade quite often. The idea is to keep the heat away, not to get it hot then cool it. Light pressure, quicker passes, and plenty of water cooling is the way to go.
Click to expand...

What he said! :thumbup:
 
Grampa said:
What he said! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I've spent too long hand grinding tool for lathes because the new guys tend to think that a very narrow tip that's discolored with course stones is the best way to go. I've spent entire days grinding tools and not even getting my hands on a lathe.

They often wonder why their tools last 1-2 passes (even on aluminum) and mine last through the whole job.

I may take 2-3 times longer to grind it initially - but I don't have to keep stopping my project and set everything back up for the new tool again. What's that phrase about the turtle and the hare? ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top