I've been using the Koval knife sharpening wheels to sharpen my knives for years. It consists of grit(220) and polishing grit on wheels that I mounted on my radial arm saw. The results are very good. The blades get super sharp but it is a smooth polished sharpness with very little "bite". I've been reading the threads here on sharpening and it seems that stones, Sharpmaker, and Edgepro are the most used methods. Doesn't anybody use grit wheels, and if not why not? What method should I switch to, if any? Thank you.
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Koval knife sharpening kit
- Thread starter GWO
- Start date
I use a belt sander with a 320 grit belt and a leather belt w/ compound on it. I had a guy sharpen my old Buck folder at the knife show on wheels similar to the ones you are talking about, but it took 1 hour on a DMT to thin the bevel back to where I wanted it. I've steered clear of them from that one bad experience. I'm sure they will work if you do it right, they've been around forever. A friend of mine broke the tip off his Microtech LCC, and had the guy grind the point back on, and was satisfied w/ the result, although he said it was a little warm to the touch when he got it back. I like water stones pretty well, though I've only been using them for about a year. Mine seems to cut faster since I have lapped it a couple of times. It feels coarser to the touch as well.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2004
- Messages
- 878
I had to Google Koval Wheels to discover that they are essentially the Cardboard Sharpening Wheels that I used for a number of years. I got very good results, in spite of the fact that I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I also had no clue regarding the principals of sharpening until I discovered Blade Forums.
I have since worked my way up to and through the Sharpmaker and onto the Edge Pro. I do get the best results with the Edge Pro especially if you understand burrs, etc.
I'm not so sure that the cardboard wheels wont still do a great job if you are careful. The general feeling from many members when I first asked for their experiences was very negative. "Too damn hot, Will detemper your blade". I think that many weren't familiar with the product and process and equated it to hard abrasive stone wheels on a grinder.
Steve Bottorf's book on Sharpening talks about all products and speaks favorably about Cardboard wheels if used properly. Its cheap and fast!
I guess as I'm not a professional sharpener and not looking for production, I'll stick with my Edge Pro as you absolutely have total control over your angles and edge finishes.
Just in case though, the old cardboard wheels are still on a grinder in the basement.
I have since worked my way up to and through the Sharpmaker and onto the Edge Pro. I do get the best results with the Edge Pro especially if you understand burrs, etc.
I'm not so sure that the cardboard wheels wont still do a great job if you are careful. The general feeling from many members when I first asked for their experiences was very negative. "Too damn hot, Will detemper your blade". I think that many weren't familiar with the product and process and equated it to hard abrasive stone wheels on a grinder.
Steve Bottorf's book on Sharpening talks about all products and speaks favorably about Cardboard wheels if used properly. Its cheap and fast!
I guess as I'm not a professional sharpener and not looking for production, I'll stick with my Edge Pro as you absolutely have total control over your angles and edge finishes.
Just in case though, the old cardboard wheels are still on a grinder in the basement.
Tim8557, thank you for taking the effort to look up the system I've been using and for your input. Now that I've found bladeforums it looks like I too will be moving on to other methods of sharpening. I have to decide whether to get the Sharpmaker or go all out for the EdgePro. All input is appreciated.
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- Jan 3, 2003
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- 2,773
The Sharpmaker is my go to for maintaining an edge.
The Edgepro is great for putting the edge on, reprofiling or grinding a new edge.
Tho there is a pretty steep curve with the Edgepro that I failed to master when I used one for a couple of weeks.
I couldn't quite get the hang of using my left hand for the stone operation on one edge....
Tho most folk can.....
Do a search on edgepro and there will be many user posts mostly favorable....
and the setup of it as you use a lot o water with this.
Tom
The Edgepro is great for putting the edge on, reprofiling or grinding a new edge.
Tho there is a pretty steep curve with the Edgepro that I failed to master when I used one for a couple of weeks.
I couldn't quite get the hang of using my left hand for the stone operation on one edge....
Tho most folk can.....
Do a search on edgepro and there will be many user posts mostly favorable....
and the setup of it as you use a lot o water with this.
Tom
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2004
- Messages
- 878
GWO said:
If you get as anal as me when it comes to sharpening....I guarantee that you will. Let me suggest www.bronksknifeworks.com. Go to Edge Pro and look at his Ultimate deal. It has everything that you'll need. Its about $ 170 I think but you're set for life.