New (HAPPY!!!!!!!) Wicked Edge owner

[sodak]

I've heard that people who worry about scratches use paper tape to cover the blade. What I can't figure out is, why worry? Who cares about scratches when your knife is super sharp?

I don't even notice any scratches, nor could I care less. All of my knives are users. Scratches add character.

 

[Noctis3880]

Here's my 2 cents:
If two systems are for the same price, the one that does more for less effort will be the one people go to.

Call us lazy, but that's just human nature.

I'm still a bit confused about why people are still using these. Power tools are the future of knife sharpening:thumbup:. If I wanted to spend half an hour or more in sharpening a knife "for the enjoyment", I would go with freehanding.

 

[BladeChemist]

I've heard that people who worry about scratches use paper tape to cover the blade. What I can't figure out is, why worry? Who cares about scratches when your knife is super sharp?

I don't even notice any scratches, nor could I care less. All of my knives are users. Scratches add character.

Several reasons. Some have blade coatings that they don't want to prematurely compromise. Scratches may also provide moisture/corrosion a place to hide (especially applicable on non-stainless blades). Others want their knives sharpened and then boxed up or put on display. For them it is imperative that the blade is razor sharp yet cosmetically flawless.

Here's my 2 cents:
If two systems are for the same price, the one that does more for less effort will be the one people go to.

Call us lazy, but that's just human nature.

I'm still a bit confused about why people are still using these. Power tools are the future of knife sharpening:thumbup:. If I wanted to spend half an hour or more in sharpening a knife "for the enjoyment", I would go with freehanding.

Power tools are the future of knife sharpening? Perhaps someday, but I can't see that happening in my lifetime. They certainly seem to offer the best performance for the time put in, but when it comes to precision sharpening systems and the very high quality edges they produce, they're not going away any time soon. I would never hesitate to put my Edge Pro edges up against any edge that was generated by paperwheel or grinder setups. Granted, the paperwheel/grinder people will have sharpened 10 knives by the time I get done with one, but that's the trade-off.

 

[TimWilson]

I...why worry? Who cares about scratches... ...Scratches add character.

See BladeChemists reply above, and I'll add that I have no problem with character marks: Scratches on a user from honest use are just fine, but WHY IN HELL would I not care if I deliberately did something that marked up a nice blade.

Power tools are the future of knife sharpening

NOT FOR ME.
Best reason I can think of is that you probably remove 10 times the metal that any hand sharpening system is going to.

 

[sodak]

See BladeChemists reply above, and I'll add that I have no problem with character marks: Scratches on a user from honest use are just fine, but WHY IN HELL would I not care if I deliberately did something that marked up a nice blade.

I think it's just a basic disagreement in what we value in knives. All of my knives get used. Why would I care? I don't. As for the blade coating, corrosion, etc., if if knife is used, it's going to get scratched. We've lived with it this long throughout history, I seriously doubt that this is a problem, unless, as you say, people want a display knife.

If you like one system over the other, that's fine. But I didn't even notice scratches until people starting posting about them. I only care about edges. I don't view this as a negative for the EP at all. Use what works best for you.

 

[Noctis3880]

NOT FOR ME.
Best reason I can think of is that you probably remove 10 times the metal that any hand sharpening system is going to.

I kind of doubt that. Maybe 2-3 times as much, but it's doubtful such systems would remove so much metal that you can actually physically SEE it unless you fall asleep at the paper wheel. Besides, I typically don't use anything but the finest grit abrasives(which is about 2-4 microns) unless that alone fails to get the knife sharp.

 

[clayallison]

Exactly . It's becoming more widespread as time goes on, more seem to be arriving every day for members of this forum. Show us some WE mirror bevels please

- This with a regular camera. This poor Benchmade has been used so hard on every task imaginable but the edge is easy to restore and the super crisp tanto tip is a great tool for precision cutting.

- Also with a regular camera

This one is from Kwackster.

I'll post a few more of my own a little later on.

 

[clayallison]

I took a moment to snap a few more photos. Nothing too glamorous, but fun.

- My Chris Reeve Umnumzaan

- Kershaw Blur

- Custom Folder by Pete Truncali

- SOG Field Pup - Used this one to field dress an elk and then shave a months worth of beard growth for a commercial. All I did was strop it before shaving.

- Benchmade Stryker

- Another Benchmade Stryker

- The tanto tip of the Stryker

 

[clayallison]

Not even. I use a LOT of water with my EdgePro, and don't have any problems with scratching. But he's happy with his WE, and that's good. He doesn't mind the fact that he is forced to use only WE stones, at high prices. He's happy with it, and that's what counts. While each stone only cost's $15, you can't just buy one at a time... But he's happy with it.

You're happy with your EdgePro. I'm happy with my EdgePro. We've both been using them for a long time. I know that the majority of my stones and strops are of my own design and for different situations give me the edges I require. I need to know that if I require a 1/2" wide stone for sharpening a really snakey Kris I can use it on my EdgePro. I just hope the WE folks only sharpen relatively straight edged blades. That way they can remain happy.

Stitchawl

WE is finally getting some new stones available. I just tested a whole series of Naniwa Choseras that Tom at jendeindustries sent me. He is custom cutting them to fit on the WE handles. I loved using the set he created for me: 400#, 600#, 800#, 1k#, 2k#, 3k#, 5k# and 10k#. I'm hoping that Ken will start cutting some Shaptons as well. Another option is getting blank handles from WE and mounting whatever stone you like. As far as the straightness of the blade, here is a good video addressing that I did for a company that cuts rubber mats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KfCLmcb5es

 

[clayallison]

That's funny..I find it simple to obtain perfectly even bevels without any scratches using my Edge Pro. Glad you're happy with your investment though- now let's see those mirror edges!

- A Buck Vanguard given by the crew when the outfitting company turned 10.

 

[ricklee4570]

Those are some nice mirror edges!

 

[Bapple]

That is what I wanted to see! Very nice Clay :thumbup:

 

[jurisprudence]

I ordered a WE and it will be delivered tomorrow. I considered the WE and EP, and even getting a few more DMT stones (which work extremely well). The main attraction to the systems for me is the ability to re-profile a knife and get perfect bevels (yes, I am sad to report that I am now so anal with this hobby that perfect bevels is a bonus).

I decided on the WE based on a number of reasons, including how the systems locks in a knife, ability to sharpen both sides without repositioning the knife, and use of stones and strops.

Lastly, I didn't arrive at my conclusion without asking questions of the WE and want to say here that Clay is an absolute gentleman. He answered my questions and was very helpful.

 

[singularity35]

- A Buck Vanguard given by the crew when the outfitting company turned 10.

Very nice edges! :thumbup: