Looking for expert tips using WS KO on my high carbon steel Japanese Knives

T

Trippstadt

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Aug 20, 2020
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I have a Work Sharp Ken Onion, and use it effectively though I don't want to overstate my competency with it. I do suspect that I have, in the past, overused it and taken off more metal than necessary.

Having said that, what about using it on my Takamura Hana Damascus Petty Knife (Forged and Cladded R-2 steel Rockwell 63-64)? I'm concerned that some have said "get more experience" before using on a knife like this, but haven't see precise information / directions in order to ensure success and avoid screwing up my beloved knives. Thanks !!!
 
If I am using my KO WS on nicer knives generally it is with the leather stropping belt I bought on the aftermarket to clean up an edge that has been set by hand either with benchstones or the KME. I agree with others that any coarse abrasive belts have huge potential to mar the finish or remove far too much metal on something that you really care about. If you are going to do it, get some masking tape to minimize the damage and start at a higher grit belt.
 
I have one. I used it more than several times. I find a belt grinder much easier to use(2hands is better than one). And paper wheel for that matter. The tool imo makes it very easy to round a knife off. More so than my belt grinder that turns much faster. I also believe the guide is too small and larger knives have a tendency to get hung up which is very bad as you can gouge a knife. I have not used it as often as many others. I have seen many buy the blade grinding attachment. Which essentially turns it into a belt grinder. If you dont want to freehand it then make sure you practice on many blades that are less valuable to avoid damage. I would recommend a belt grinder 100 to 1 over the work sharp. And a paper wheel to finish. I say this because i own all these things and have used them. Just my .02.
 
UncleBoots said:
I've never used a powered sharpener, but if I were going to, I would never use it on a knife like that, no matter how much experience I h
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c7m2p3 said:
If I am using my KO WS on nicer knives generally it is with the leather stropping belt I bought on the aftermarket to clean up an edge that has been set by hand either with benchstones or the KME. I agree with others that any coarse abrasive belts have huge potential to mar the finish or remove far too much metal on something that you really care about. If you are going to do it, get some masking tape to minimize the damage and start at a higher grit belt.
Click to expand...
Bill3152 said:
I have one. I used it more than several times. I find a belt grinder much easier to use(2hands is better than one). And paper wheel for that matter. The tool imo makes it very easy to round a knife off. More so than my belt grinder that turns much faster. I also believe the guide is too small and larger knives have a tendency to get hung up which is very bad as you can gouge a knife. I have not used it as often as many others. I have seen many buy the blade grinding attachment. Which essentially turns it into a belt grinder. If you dont want to freehand it then make sure you practice on many blades that are less valuable to avoid damage. I would recommend a belt grinder 100 to 1 over the work sharp. And a paper wheel to finish. I say this because i own all these things and have used them. Just my .02.
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UncleBoots said:
I've never used a powered sharpener, but if I were going to, I would never use it on a knife like that, no matter how much experience I had.
Click to expand...
Can you recommend a leather stropping belt for the KO? Thx
 
Trippstadt said:
Can you recommend a leather stropping belt for the KO? Thx
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I have a leather stropping belt for the blade grinder attachment. Can't speak to the normal smaller cassete types but if you get the KO WS I would recommend going ahead and getting the blade grinder. Just makes it a better tool overall.
 
brought this over from necro-thread-
Trippstadt, nice "Takamura Hana Damascus Petty Knife"
How many knives have you used your WSKO "effectively" on? Are any of those kitchen knives similar to this one? Do you strop, steel/ceramic yet? What specifically leads you to suspect you removed to much metal?

You should practice on, use and hone about a dozen similar knives before sharpening the Takamura on your WSKO. Their belt kit comes with a 6000 grit belt for honing. I love our USA made 12,000 Micro-Mesh stropping belts with .5 micro aluminum oxide and titanium oxide mixture, off the bay. I bought the leather belts that come with white compound, off the bay, but have not used yet because the 12K stropping belt works so well. And leather might tend to amplify convexity? Use a light touch, power magnifies errors but speeds up process.

If I had invested in this knife, and did not know how or want to learn free hand, I would get a guided kit:
Least expensive- Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, Sharpmaker, Idahone, or Gritomatic's less expensive guided sharpeners.
Mid priced - KME, EdgePro, Hapstone, etc.
High end - WickEdge, TSprof, etc.
 
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