onion work-sharp

Kentwood33 · Nov 13, 2015

Bobby3326 said:
Gotcha, It looked like the white belt on it. Was gonna say you'll be there ALONG time trying reprofile with that one lol. I'd definitely recommend practising on a few beater knives until you get a feel for it. The x65 will make short work of most reprofiling jobs, try to stay off the p220 course belt unless you trying to hunk off allot of steel, cause it will and very quickly.

Thanks for the advice, really appreciated !!!

bravodelta · Nov 13, 2015

Had a KO work sharp and which worked well. Very quickly sold it and move up to a Kalamazoo 1"x42" which is a real quality machine (which when on sale isn't much more than worksharp).

Definitely has a steeper learning curve than the WS but is a far far more capable machine with many more high quality belts available for reasonable prices. I have produced edges with the Kalamazoo that I never dreamed of.

Pocketfisherman · Nov 23, 2015

kenash said:
I agree for sure! Mine is the original WS. Works great, but you can honk up a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe point in a flash.

If you follow the included instruction, it won't mess the point up. You stop the power when the tip of the blade reaches the center of the belt. You do NOT draw the tip all the way across the running belt.

Jbergun · Nov 23, 2015

I have also been eye balling a worksharo but i cant really fetch the money out for a ken onion.

kenash · Nov 23, 2015

Pocketfisherman said:
If you follow the included instruction, it won't mess the point up. You stop the power when the tip of the blade reaches the center of the belt. You do NOT draw the tip all the way across the running belt.

And one more thing - do not partake of alcohol in excess just prior to using the WS.

beckerbrain · Nov 24, 2015

i have the work sharp field sharpener, and it is incredible too. I strongly recommend one for every backpacking trip.

Kentwood33 · Nov 24, 2015

Doing some reprofiling on my bk17 with the work-sharp onion edition

kenash · Nov 24, 2015

Wow, Kentwood! How long did that take? Did it heat up much? Water dip?

Kentwood33 · Nov 24, 2015

kenash said:
Wow, Kentwood! How long did that take? Did it heat up much? Water dip?

Took a while, didn't wanna be to aggressive, since just started using it, but I think better gonna improve skills with a couple cheaper ones first!

Bobby3326 · Nov 25, 2015

kenash said:
Wow, Kentwood! How long did that take? Did it heat up much? Water dip?

Just curious why you're amazed by this? The wskt-ko makes reprofiling the edge on most knives ridiculously easy, and fast. On thicker stock it doesn't really heat up too bad unless your doing some serious steel removal, and then a quick water dip is all that's needed. It will heat up thinner knives allot faster thou, so those will need dunked in water more frequently.

kenash · Nov 25, 2015

Bobby3326 said:
Just curious why you're amazed by this? The wskt-ko makes reprofiling the edge on most knives ridiculously easy, and fast. On thicker stock it doesn't really heat up too bad unless your doing some serious steel removal, and then a quick water dip is all that's needed. It will heat up thinner knives allot faster thou, so those will need dunked in water more frequently.

Amazed = I have one, but since I've never used the more coarse belts. Always fine or polish grits. It just shows just how much that little piece of equipment is capable of.

kenash · Nov 25, 2015

I think I will have to get out one of my carbon steel kitchen knives and play with reshaping the blade. Maybe turn a butcher knife into a Kephart.

Kentwood33 · Nov 25, 2015

Also I have a couple projects of my own, I would like to do some work on a old machete, short it a little and perhaps round the tip up to make it bolo style ,posting pic when done

Bobby3326 · Nov 25, 2015

kenash said:
Amazed = I have one, but since I've never used the more coarse belts. Always fine or polish grits. It just shows just how much that little piece of equipment is capable of.

Yea it's a very capably machine, even more so when you add in the blade grinding attachment. I'd say grab a beater blade and start playing around with the course belts. However the p220 extra course belt will tear thru steel fairly quickly, I only use that one if I want to remove allot of steel. The x64 belt should handle most reprofiling jobs, it may take a few extra passes, but allows more control.

hso · Nov 25, 2015

Love mine.

foofie · Nov 30, 2015

If you do without the grinder attachment, what does the Ken Onion version offer above the regular version?
I think wider belt, more angle choices?

Chameleonbear · Nov 30, 2015

Wider belt, variable speed control, and I do believe more angle choices.

19-3ben · Nov 30, 2015

Just an update since I got my KO-WSKT a couple weeks ago. Holy crap I love this thing!!!! I went on a knife sharpening binge! I can now shave with every single knife in the house, from paring knives to cleavers, to bush crafting knives. It's amazing.

First off, it allows for incredible consistency. you get an edge that esthetically is just gorgeous. A mirror polish and a real work of art. More importantly, you can get some serious sliciness out of the knives!

Like others, i have found that I rarely use the extra course belt. I only use it when doing a serious job from scratch (had a friend's field knife that he hasn't sharpened in 4 years. It has nicks, chips, and was blunt as all get out. It was a fantastic candidate for the extra course belt). I also find a couple passes on it is great when working with more abrasion resistant steels. Something tells me if I get a BK24, I'll give it a few passes on the extra course first!

When people tell you to use a practice knife first, they are totally right. I used a knife that a buddy gave me. It was a garbage knife from Harbor Frieght. Perfect candidate to learn the ins and outs. Turned it into a slight recurve by accident. but by the time i hit my good knives, i was set!!!

All in all, i can't recommend it highly enough.

Bobby3326 · Nov 30, 2015

foofie said:
If you do without the grinder attachment, what does the Ken Onion version offer above the regular version?
I think wider belt, more angle choices?

As mentioned already you get wider belts, angle adjustment between 15-30° oppose to set 17, 20, and 25 on the original, but the biggest difference is the variable speed. The original had a reputation for over heating blades rather quickly, with the ko version you don't have that issue near as bad. Obviously it's still possible to over heat but aslong as you're paying attention to what your doing is less likely.

Then you also have the option to upgrade to the attachments later on down the road if you so choose.

netguy1999 · Nov 30, 2015

Like many others here, I absolutely love my KO sharpener. The only thing to be careful with, at least I find, is to protect the sides of the blades from scratching as you draw them against the angle guide. I was not careful on a DLC knife I have and it left some nasty marks on the belly of the blade. From that point on, I put some painters tape on the sides of the blade to protect it.