- Joined
- Jan 27, 2012
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I just wanted to put out a mini review of the Ken Onion Work Sharp used by a Leftie.
I was a little concerned about sharpening a knife using the guide with my right hand - while holding the machine and turning it on and off with my left hand.
The machine is heavy enough that you really don't have to hold it. I was able to operate the machine as directed (turning it on and off) pretty easily. I started with a kitchen knife. I got a pretty good feel for the mechanics of motions.
Next I decided to use the option to use the trigger lock and keep the belt moving. When you do this you have to lift the blade off the belt when the tip is in the middle of the belt to keep from rounding the tip. I used the same kitchen knife. I actually liked this method better because I could use two hands. (I mounted my SharpMaker down so I could use two hands with it also.) I did this for a while until I was comfortable. I have a few older folding Buck knives I planned to practice on, but... I felt so comfortable with the machine, I skipped the Bucks and the second knife I tried was a Benchmade Griptilian 550.
Using two hands with the belt going at almost the slowest setting, I used the medium grit belt (with a Sharpie on the edge) and the guide set at 20 degrees. I did a few passes on each side then checked to make sure the belt was making contact where I wanted it. I moved through the medium and then to the fine. The fine belt actually put a mirror shine on the edge. I wish I had a good camera. You've seen the edges where you can read the type when the edge is set on a page, it was just like those. It didn't take very long at all. Next I tried the Extra Fine belt and it polished the edge even more. I don't think I will go above the Medium grit belt for a working knife . The mirror edge seems a little "sticky" when cutting paper.
Overall I would recommend the Ken Onion Work Sharp for someone who is left handed. It was easy to use either with the on/off method or keeping the belt running. The results were quick and easy and pretty much fool-proof. I've only used a DMT Aligner and a SharpMaker before. I find the Work Sharp is much easier to use and much quicker. And more importantly gets much better results. I'd never achieved a mirrored edge before and I have the extra fine SharpMaker rods and the DMT extra extra fine stone.
I was a little concerned about sharpening a knife using the guide with my right hand - while holding the machine and turning it on and off with my left hand.
The machine is heavy enough that you really don't have to hold it. I was able to operate the machine as directed (turning it on and off) pretty easily. I started with a kitchen knife. I got a pretty good feel for the mechanics of motions.
Next I decided to use the option to use the trigger lock and keep the belt moving. When you do this you have to lift the blade off the belt when the tip is in the middle of the belt to keep from rounding the tip. I used the same kitchen knife. I actually liked this method better because I could use two hands. (I mounted my SharpMaker down so I could use two hands with it also.) I did this for a while until I was comfortable. I have a few older folding Buck knives I planned to practice on, but... I felt so comfortable with the machine, I skipped the Bucks and the second knife I tried was a Benchmade Griptilian 550.
Using two hands with the belt going at almost the slowest setting, I used the medium grit belt (with a Sharpie on the edge) and the guide set at 20 degrees. I did a few passes on each side then checked to make sure the belt was making contact where I wanted it. I moved through the medium and then to the fine. The fine belt actually put a mirror shine on the edge. I wish I had a good camera. You've seen the edges where you can read the type when the edge is set on a page, it was just like those. It didn't take very long at all. Next I tried the Extra Fine belt and it polished the edge even more. I don't think I will go above the Medium grit belt for a working knife . The mirror edge seems a little "sticky" when cutting paper.
Overall I would recommend the Ken Onion Work Sharp for someone who is left handed. It was easy to use either with the on/off method or keeping the belt running. The results were quick and easy and pretty much fool-proof. I've only used a DMT Aligner and a SharpMaker before. I find the Work Sharp is much easier to use and much quicker. And more importantly gets much better results. I'd never achieved a mirrored edge before and I have the extra fine SharpMaker rods and the DMT extra extra fine stone.
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