Knife edge makers

J

Joshua_Barney

Joined
Jan 7, 2015
Messages
46
So gents, I'm in the market for a knife sharpening system.

I've looked at 4 systems.

[emoji843] Wicked Edge
[emoji843] Spyderco Sharpmaker
[emoji843] Edge Pro
[emoji843] Razors edge

Seriously not even sure where to begin. I've sharpened knives before but not to the extent some of you do. Mostly mine have been rough working edges on a three stone set up but quite frankly I suck at it...

So I need some suggestions, recommendations, and any info on a good system and any links to great sharpening info tips and past forum post etc...what think ye?

Thanks all
 
Knife edge makers (systems are limited, try again and report back please)

You already have stones? Great
Try sharpening this way how to sharpen a knife - Joe Calton
Raise a burr on each side, weaken the burr, and then cut it off.
Pick a ~4inch knife, give it about 5minutes, go fast to raise a burr, then slow down to weaken it and cut it off.
You should be able to slice newspaper effortlessly and scrape shave arm hair.
Please report back how it went so we can troubleshoot your technique.
I just got face shaving sharp (touching skin) with a dollar tree stone using this approach.
At the very least this experiment could help you decide on a system.
 
I would not go w/ the paper wheels as a beginner... you will end up wasting the edge away using powered equipment. Personally I would have to recommend the edge pro apex as it's a great budget piece yet does an outstanding job. the sharpmaker can't really be considered a "sharpener" as it's more for maintaining... and the weps is, well, expensive.

Also, Joe calton does good work and offers good advise, see if that helps =)
 
Honestly, get a $20 Hewlett diamond plate (the ones I get are about 3-1/2"x1-1/4, and are two sided medium and fine) some sort of brown ceramic stick (like a gatco dogbone), and use the money you save to score some stuff to sharpen. The more you do it the better you get-and then you don't need a system because you have a skillset.
I stitched up a pouch that holds both, and lives in the leg pocket of my carharrts.
 
My advice would also be hand sharpening. My bet is that everybody can sharpen a knife freehand to a usable edge after some good advice and practice. I also like the idea of a diamond stone, does not have to be a DMT one. I saw a Lansky diamond stone, 8x2 inches for 20$. They come in extra coarse all the way to extra fine and I bet they work well if used correctly with little pressure. You can use the "Joe Carlton method" for burr removal or use some thin cardboard to strop after without changing the angle. You could use some good compound on paper that you wrap around the stone for a strop or use denim on wood with compound.
 
I would also look at the KME Sharp system. Great system on the lower end of the package system prices. Make sure you get the diamond version. The stones are all the same thickness and save a bunch of learning issues.

Sure anyone can learn to freehand. And when just beginning may even get a sharp knife or two. But if you want a perfect bevel and/or a very refined edge right off the bat, you need a guided system.

I have two of the four you list in the OP, and still use them on occasion for special projects. But the KME is what comes out first for most of my blades.
 
In addition, using the Spyderco Sharpmaker as the last step of apex refinement after you have ground in an edge of less than 20 dps freehand, gives you a better edge that you will ever need and that with the stones that come with it alone. With the right touch you don't even need to strop after, depends on what type of edge you are after.
 
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