Life After the EdgePro

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
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I love my EdgePro, but I also still love my Spyderco Sharpmaker.

For edge-maintenance I like the Sharpmaker better. I just hate setting up my EdgePro and getting the water, etc. just to sharpen a slightly-dull edge. I mostly use it for reprofiling and sharpening any really dull used knives that I buy.

As good as the EdgePro is, nothing can beat the convience of the Sharpmaker or even a leather strop a lot of the time!

I'm still going to get the diamond rods for my Sharpmaker for those times (often) when I want to touch up an edge but when the angle is just slightly steeper than the Sharpmaker.

Does anyone else NOT use the EdgePro exclusively since they've purchased one?
 
When I got my Edge Pro, I knew it wouldn't be my exclusive sharpener. I use my belt sander a lot, and I often use my waterstones that I sharpen woodworking tools on to do a quick touch-up on a knife. I use my sharpmaker for odd things, such as scissors. My Edge Pro is awesome at what it does, as is the rest of my sharpening gear!
 
I knew the Sharpmaker would still have verstailities that the EdgePro doesn't, but I enjoy how quick and evenly the EdgePro reprofiles a blade and it's fun to touch up blades with the foam pad and sharpening film. Heck, recently, I just used the foam-n-film blank as a free-hand strop and it gave awesome results to my 806D2.
 
I set my final angle a little under 20 degrees with my EdgePro specifically so I can use my Sharpmaker for quick touch ups, I also use a smooth steel and leather hone (I do that first, and then use the Sharpmaker if I don't like the results)

I only setup the EdgePro, if I have several knives to sharpen, or one that needs reprofiling.

btw...just thought I would mention an Edgepro tip, I setup my Edgepro on a breakfast tray (the kind with the legs that drop down for serving breakfast in bed), the suction cups stick well and it keeps the water dripoff contained, so I can sit in the livingroom while sharpening and not make a mess.
 
To me, the title of the thread, Life after Edge Pro - sounded very profound. and for me, it is a profound difference. I am more likely to use nice customs now, knowing I won't screw up the edge and that I won't have to send it to the maker to fix my mistakes. It also gives great clues as to how free hand sharpening should feel and how it should be done, albeit without the angle control the Edge Pro affords. In general, it was a very changing experience.

and I still use the Sharpmaker like others have said, due to the low overhead for fast touch-ups. I also got a smooth steel with whose results that I am liking very much.
 
I use the EP predominantly for reprofiling and lower edge angles, and for working out chips in the edge.

You just can't do it nearly as quickly or cleanly without some power tools. :)

After I get the edge nicely set up, I usually maintain on a leather strop with white rouge and metal polish (Maas or Flitz)

Even when the edge is worn pretty far down, I can bring it back by stropping. It works for steels up to ATS-34... it takes a lot longer by stropping for S30V and the like.

Hands down, the EP was the best sharpening purchase -- actually -- best knife-related purchase I ever made.

-j
 
Now that you guys master how to hold a knife consistently, take it and try to do it freehand, as a challenge...
 
Well there is no life after the EP.

I do not own a Sharpmaker but have built a number of V style sharpeners
with a variety or rods, including the EP white rod.

I think these Vrod ( yes...I know the Sharpmaker has a triangle shaped hone, but I will group it in the V rod class ) systems should only be recommended as a touch up finishing system.

In another post on the site, we have a newbie struggling to get a burr.He does not yet realize that he is not 'sharpening' but re profiling.

And during all this time he is working the edge, lets pray he is following the makers instructions to the letter, otherwise he is going to have a ruined point on his blade from rounding.

Until Vrod systems come with infinite angle adjustment and coarse diamond hone ( included ) for 'getting to the edge', I consider this sharpening system should be re classified as a touch up and finishing devise.
 
Nosmo said:
Until Vrod systems come with infinite angle adjustment and coarse diamond hone ( included ) for 'getting to the edge', I consider this sharpening system should be re classified as a touch up and finishing devise.
Click to expand...

That WOULD be nice. I don't see what would be so hard about it. Even if they weren't adjustable but simply had a bunch more holes... say, 8 choices at 5-degree incriments. How much more could it cost for SC to make the plastic base a little bigger with more holes?
 
if Spyerco can design that newfangled SpyderWrench, they can design an adjustable angle Sharpmaker, believe me.
 
Boink said:
if Spyerco can design that newfangled SpyderWrench, they can design an adjustable angle Sharpmaker, believe me.
Click to expand...

I believe they could do it, but at what cost? Would people buy enough of them to make it worth their while? I don't know about that.

I have both and both have their place.

Bruce
 
Akwacko said:
I believe they could do it, but at what cost? Would people buy enough of them to make it worth their while? I don't know about that.
Click to expand...

Perhaps they could offer another base as an upgrade?
Actually, Sal, revels in the idea that the Sharpmaker is versatile and can sharpen a lot of different things (which it is and can), so I don't think he'd be adverse to the idea.

SC is definately the kind of company that responds to user feedback so I wouldn't rule it out. I'll go on the SC forum and ask.
 
The Edge Pro is awesome. It's how I learned the basic principles of sharpening. I now just go freehand using two 1x4 stones from Dan's Whetstones. It's not yet possible for me to obtain Edge Pro perfection, but maybe one day... and maybe not.
 
Bought mine over a year ago, still say it'll put the best damn edge on a blade bar none, but ya know what? I still use mostly it for reprofiling and scary hair poppin' edges, but 90% of my sharpening is freehand.

The EP is just a tool like anything else, unless you learn to sharpen freehand, with a belt grinder or bench hones, the EP is still a crutch,(sorry Dale, I still love your system and will always have one in my sharpening box.).
 
MelancholyMutt said:
Now that you guys master how to hold a knife consistently, take it and try to do it freehand, as a challenge...
Click to expand...

I'm trying and, at times, I'm almost good enough to be considered woefully incompetent.
 
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