Questions: KME vs TSProf K02, KME&K02 vs Recurve Blades

[coltc11]

I haven't seen much information comparing the KME vs TSProf K02.

That being said, I'm fairly certain I'll get the KME as it seems a bit cheaper. Even with all the options I'm interested in, the KME appears to be around $460 (basic kit + two rougher diamond stones, jewelstik tool thing, lapping film kit, one strop and fluid).

The TSProf K02 appears to be about $420 for the kit and some stones.

I do like how the K02 is constructed more than the KME. I also like the smaller size of the KME and the USA made aspect. The KME also seems to have been around for years and appears to have a good reputation.

Are there any reasons to choose one over the other? Very interested to hear from people who have used both.

Also, I have recently purchased a couple of recurves, ZT0350, Real Steel Gerfalcon. It appears the jewelstik on the KME goes up to 1800. That's far from a mirror finish. What are people using to get a mirror polish on recurves with this system or the K02?

I'm extremely new to expensive knives and sharpeners but I'd like a system that will last a lifetime.

Thanks.

 

[brasileiro]

My guess is TS k02 arm length is higher than KME, that said, the maximum blade length is also higher.

Kme uses joint ball to hold the arm at an given angle and normally it have limited angle that directly impacts on blade length when too high. TS k02 uses different type of arm holder that allow turn the arm 180 degrees.

TS k02 and KME holds different stone sizes. KME hold 4” stones and TS k02 goes up to 8” stones.

For recurved both systems delivery an excelent result. You just need a rounded stone or to use the edge of a square stone.
Mirror polish isn’t directly linked to the system but with sharpening process. High grit than polish compound...

If you a new in the world I suggest to get a cheaper system, then if you like or love you can make an upgrade, but if you know yourself I would go with TS k02.

I don’t own neither but I’ve read a lot about both.

I was almost buying one k03 but they don’t ship to my country.

 

[Ajack60]

Welcome to BFC coltc11 !!!!!

Just did a quick search, looks like the TSprof is coming from Russia. Are you here in the U.S. ?

 

[Roikyou]

KME has more options from what ive seen so far. Check out gritomatic curved bonded diamond stones for recurves. I was skeptical about bonded diamond stones but turns out they feel like a cross between a diamond plate and water stone. They cut agressively like diamond plates but feel like a water stone. More of a refined finished sharpened edge. KME customer service is the type of service you would hope every business would have.

 

[coltc11]

Welcome to BFC coltc11 !!!!!

Just did a quick search, looks like the TSprof is coming from Russia. Are you here in the U.S. ?

Yep. I'm in Arizona.

These were just two systems I've been checking out online. They seemed similar in operation.

 

[coltc11]

My guess is TS k02 arm length is higher than KME, that said, the maximum blade length is also higher.

Kme uses joint ball to hold the arm at an given angle and normally it have limited angle that directly impacts on blade length when too high. TS k02 uses different type of arm holder that allow turn the arm 180 degrees.

TS k02 and KME holds different stone sizes. KME hold 4” stones and TS k02 goes up to 8” stones.

For recurved both systems delivery an excelent result. You just need a rounded stone or to use the edge of a square stone.
Mirror polish isn’t directly linked to the system but with sharpening process. High grit than polish compound...

If you a new in the world I suggest to get a cheaper system, then if you like or love you can make an upgrade, but if you know yourself I would go with TS k02.

I don’t own neither but I’ve read a lot about both.

I was almost buying one k03 but they don’t ship to my country.

I'll likely go with the cheaper KME. The jewelstik is what they recommend for the recurves. I'm not sure if I can just wrap that in leather and compound to get a more refined edge or if there was a better idea. I can't see using the edges of the lapping strips as that wouldn't last long at all.

I know someone put there has worked their ZT0350 to a mirror edge, I'm just not sure how to do it.

 

[coltc11]

KME has more options from what ive seen so far. Check out gritomatic curved bonded diamond stones for recurves. I was skeptical about bonded diamond stones but turns out they feel like a cross between a diamond plate and water stone. They cut agressively like diamond plates but feel like a water stone. More of a refined finished sharpened edge. KME customer service is the type of service you would hope every business would have.

Any idea of how those stones compare to KME's jewelstik?

 

[Ajack60]

Yep. I'm in Arizona.

These were just two systems I've been checking out online. They seemed similar in operation.

From the search I did, I saw one US seller of the system. They have 25 on order, expected to have sometime in the next few months out of S. Carolina., DLT is out of them.

I'm just curious to see if accessories are ordered, how long will that take?

I've got two KME systems, I like them and don't need any other system for how I like my knives. If you look at KME's home page, they do sell the different CBN emulsions for polishing. Personally, I'd rather buy something that can be upgraded without waiting a long time to get the accessory. Not that the TSprof isn't a great system, I can buy a KME from several places as well as direct from them.

 

[Roikyou]

Bonded has seven grits with top being 2000, which if its like the venev i have, its not quite polished but a start for a mirror. Jewelers has three grits. My thoughts they (jewelers) would get you a good toothy, sharp edge. But your talking 35 for jewelers vs 150 ish for a set of bonded.

Shipping for gritomatic is out of the states and fast btw.

I have all gold diamond stones, full set of venev and full set of chosera for kme.

 

[coltc11]

From the search I did, I saw one US seller of the system. They have 25 on order, expected to have sometime in the next few months out of S. Carolina., DLT is out of them.

I'm just curious to see if accessories are ordered, how long will that take?

I've got two KME systems, I like them and don't need any other system for how I like my knives. If you look at KME's home page, they do sell the different CBN emulsions for polishing. Personally, I'd rather buy something that can be upgraded without waiting a long time to get the accessory. Not that the TSprof isn't a great system, I can buy a KME from several places as well as direct from them.

This may seem like an odd question but being new and having only looked at these for a short time, do they ever have sales? Any X% off sales around holidays?

 

[brasileiro]

I'll likely go with the cheaper KME. The jewelstik is what they recommend for the recurves. I'm not sure if I can just wrap that in leather and compound to get a more refined edge or if there was a better idea. I can't see using the edges of the lapping strips as that wouldn't last long at all.

I know someone put there has worked their ZT0350 to a mirror edge, I'm just not sure how to do it.

Kudos. Nice choice. KME also have convex rod accessorie.

Well, I’m not mirror polished expert and the only recurved blade that I own is a Kershaw Chive. My guess is exactly what you said. Just cut a piece of leather wrap around the stone and “clasp” it with Velcro.
Or you can build your own tube to fit on the rod and wrap the leather on it. I think is better cuz you have no risk of mix compound with the stone.
There are different posts about mirror polished edge, I recommend give a search and see which one is better for you: leather, or denin, or card board, or wood for strop surface.

I think there people with more knowledge for polished edge than me.

 

[Ajack60]

C coltc11
If you go to the main web page for KME, they have their deluxe system on sale.
Seeing how I paid for the basic diamond stone system without the base and bought the base, stone compensator, separately, it looks like that's a good deal. Now, the second KME system, I got in a trade and it has everything together.
KME even has a rod for convex edges. They do have Chosera water stones in different grits.

 

[wade7575]

I don't know why you are saying KME has more options because that is simply not true,I also have 2 KME's and a K02 and I find it harder to get the stones I want for the KME when compared to the K02.

Also the jaws on the KME are a complete pain with the rubber alway's coming off of the jaws,I don't have a hate for KME I'm just tired of using a system that has 4 inch stones rather then 6 inch witch takes longer to sharpen because of that on some steels and the only thing that the KME has is a Convex guide rod witch the K02 does not have yet.Although it can slower to get stuff for the K02 it is worth the wait I just find it a better system to use.

Someone also mentioned DLT was selling and it's their own fault they are still not selling them,DLT had the unit price listed cheaper then what you can buy them for out of Russia,the problem is like this if there is $125.00 profit to be made off of each K02 and DLT was willing to sell at a lesser price then TechStudio the makers of the K02 just to be the cheapest aellers for them,the problem is in retail there is usually a set lowest price that something is to be sold at and that so a company like DLT that has a lot of buying power and can afford not to make as much profit off each unit sold where as a smaller retailer of the same item may not be to take the same hit.

KME has more options from what ive seen so far. Check out gritomatic curved bonded diamond stones for recurves. I was skeptical about bonded diamond stones but turns out they feel like a cross between a diamond plate and water stone. They cut agressively like diamond plates but feel like a water stone. More of a refined finished sharpened edge. KME customer service is the type of service you would hope every business would have.

 

[coltc11]

C coltc11
If you go to the main web page for KME, they have their deluxe system on sale.
Seeing how I paid for the basic diamond stone system without the base and bought the base, stone compensator, separately, it looks like that's a good deal. Now, the second KME system, I got in a trade and it has everything together.
KME even has a rod for convex edges. They do have Chosera water stones in different grits.

A lightly used one would be nice. I don't think the deluxe kit is for me. I don't think I'll need the stones it comes with. When pricing what I'd rather have in a deluxe type kit, it comes to $290.

This is all just what I think and don't know for sure. As I'm in no real hurry, I'll continue to look around and gather info.

 

[Roikyou]

I don't know why you are saying KME has more options because that is simply not true,I also have 2 KME's and a K02 and I find it harder to get the stones I want for the KME when compared to the K02.

Also the jaws on the KME are a complete pain with the rubber alway's coming off of the jaws,I don't have a hate for KME I'm just tired of using a system that has 4 inch stones rather then 6 inch witch takes longer to sharpen because of that on some steels and the only thing that the KME has is a Convex guide rod witch the K02 does not have yet.Although it can slower to get stuff for the K02 it is worth the wait I just find it a better system to use.

Someone also mentioned DLT was selling and it's their own fault they are still not selling them,DLT had the unit price listed cheaper then what you can buy them for out of Russia,the problem is like this if there is $125.00 profit to be made off of each K02 and DLT was willing to sell at a lesser price then TechStudio the makers of the K02 just to be the cheapest aellers for them,the problem is in retail there is usually a set lowest price that something is to be sold at and that so a company like DLT that has a lot of buying power and can afford not to make as much profit off each unit sold where as a smaller retailer of the same item may not be to take the same hit.

I did take a second look, so far I see diamond and boride stones. Correct me if I'm wrong, if there are more, very well could be, I'm curious also. Personally, I'd like to see another course and another fine. I watched some videos on it this morning getting ready for work, there is a second version, the Mark 2, has a nice case, well organized, I think this takes it up a notch. The adjustment for the height is refined, easier to use and the stone clamp is adjustable which I'm guessing these shooting for using other vendor stones. The stock stones are 210mm, 8.26 inch's in length for the K02. Hapstone is 6 inches and KME is 4 inches. I like the option of lower angles, makes sense as long as the arms are, etc. Which also means you can sharpen longer knives. Definitely impressed after watching the video of the Mark 2

As far as the KME, I guess I've been lucky so far, no issues with the clamp, all the knives I use the KME for are 3 to 3.5 inch. As far as stones, I picked up the deluxe, added the .1 cbn emulsion for the kangaroo strop that comes with the deluxe kit, added the 6 grit strop kit, 8 stone chosera, of course the kit comes with four ceramic/arkansas stones, 6 gold stones, then I picked up the 8 grit bonded diamond venev stones from gritomatic. So, that's why I have this impression that the KME has more options but would like to see what options are there for the tsprof mark 2.

All in all, I spent the same on the KME with all those options as the price with the top mark 2

Can the tsprof use the edge pro stones?

wade7575 I finally read through your old thread and if I decipher it correctly, the tsprof does use the edge pro stones.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...arpening-stones-review.1544946/#post-17757768

 

[coltc11]

Started a WTB (wanted to buy) thread for a KME. Seems I'm the only one who uses the WTB forum.

Still interested in hearing the good and bad about both systems.

Currently, my largest knife is a ESEE 6. Shouldn't be any issue with doing that in the KME, correct?

 

[Roikyou]

The number that comes to mind is eight inches. Support for KME is really good about giving you a call back and will go over any questions. I'm thinking anything over that number, you'd have to do it in sections. Guess that's where the eight inch and six inch stones excel for the other system but not as compact as the KME.

 

[wade7575]

The K02 use's edge pro stones and if you look in the link you can see the different options for the K02 they have a table attachment as well plus many other options,when it comes to the K02 most people really don't need any other clamp's then the clamp's that come with it unless they are going to try and sharpen at very low angle's,I forget what the lowest angle is claimed to be for the K02 but I can sharpen a Japanese Chef knife at 10 or 11 degree's per-side I can also sharpen a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 at 15 degree's easily and go lower then that if I really wanted to.

A few thing's that I learned over the year's using a KME is that you need to flip the pivot ball unit upside down and get another metal spacer that goes between the black nut you tighten the clamp with if you want to sharpen a Japanese chef knife if you want to get lower angle's,if you do not install another spacer the stone holder will the black nut,I forget what length the spacer's because they changed the length twice I think they started with a 3/4 and went to an inch,before I ran 2 short one's and then I got a second KME and needed to use the an inch one and cut it to half or 3/4 inch to make it work.

The other thing that I did to improve on the KME was to get aluminum blanks made up for the stones and the reason for that is simple if you look at how the stone holder work's you will use about half the life out of the stone and have to throw it away why because the way the front hook or whatever you want to call it hang's down enough to cover up half of the stone,the easiest way to glue the stone's is with 3M Super 77 spray by putting a good coating on the bank and then attach the stone to it by pressing it on and it's never coming off Ken Schwarts the guy who cut's the Chosera stones for the KME also use's the 3M Super 77 Spray to attach edge pro stones to the blank's.

Also when talking about better stone selection I'm referring to stones such as the Rika stone's and Cerax stones and Sigma Power Select II and also the Susehiro stone's just to name a few,the if you did not know this a stone that break's down a bit when sharpening is better then a stone like a Shapton Glass stone because the stone that breaks down just a bit and release's it's abrasive is also always exposing sharp new abrasive,the Chosera stones are not the best stones out there and that's for sure plus they are over priced and they are finicky stones I know myself and many other that I know will get about 2 sharpening's out of them and you need to scrub them on a diamond plate just a bit because they are known to glaze over and just won't cut until you remove the glaze,the Nubatama stones are great and the best ones are the platinum's that up to 3K but after that they get softer with their Bamboo 6K stone and it still cut's but not as fast but they are thicker and cost less if you get them threw Ken and they do not glaze over.Also the problem I have with the Shapton Glass stones is that they are so hard and that's only because they use a very harder binding agent to hold the stone together,that being said Shapton Glass stones do stay very flat over a very long period of time before they need to be flattened but on the other hand because they are so hard they do not expose very much new sharp abrasive and they are also made from Aluminum Oxide and that being said there are stones that cut faster then Shapton Glass that are Aluminum Oxide as well,it all boils down to down you want a stone so hard it will most likely last 5 to 10 years but take longer to sharpen with or a stone that needs to be purchased more often but save's you a lot more time.

Another reason I like the K02 better is it's a quieter system as well when you sharpen plus most of my knives are Spyderco Military's and Paramilitary 2's in S110v steel witch is very hard to sharpen,if you look at my thread about Metallic Bonded CBN stones I got them form Gritomatic and they are the fastest cutting stone on the market but from what I understand you not going to see them cut for the KME,the problem with S110v is that it's a stainless steel and most times stainless is very easy to sharpen but it also has a high Vanadium content and S110v is around 62 to 64 RC hardness from what I remember but the Vanadium when heat treated get's to around 80 to 82RC hardness from what I read and that means your going to have problem's,for example any stone can cut the Chromium carbides but not the Vanadium carbides and what ends up happening is all the Chromium carbides that surround the Vanadium carbides get ground away until the Vanadium carbides fallout where as the Metallic CBN cut's right threw them at a very fast speed.

I have been using guided system's for many year's now and it's not alway's the big thing's that matter about how well a system is going to work it's the small thing's,such as on the KME it has the 2 small rivet's that hold the jaws from moving from side to side but they do allow up and down movement and so does the K02's spring's even if you go with the reinforced spring's but if you are flexing the K02's reinforced spring's a lot when sharpening your using to much pressure,I like the way you adjust the K02's angle as well it's just easier and I like it better and find I can be more precise with it,also the K02 allows you to sharpen much more then just knives,for example you can sharpen the older style carpenter knife blade's that you do not snap off if you really want to plus many more thing's like that,for me I don't really like the scissor attachment for the KME either I don't get they used a round bar going cross ways and your supposed to put that in the jaws and tighten it down on that I would have rather seen it done another way.

Another advantage of the K02 is that if your going to sharpen a long knife with a lot of flex and I have and found neither the Single clamp or the double clamp's were enough to take away as much of the flex as I wanted,instead I was able to use the single clamp and the double clamp's together by putting one of the double clamp's at each end of the crossbar for 3 point's of clamping to eliminate the flex,also on most knives you won't get enough flex to worry about it but when you do it's a nice set up to have.

For me it's like this is the KME a bad system no for sure it's a good system but when compared to the K02 it's just way more limited as far as what you can do with it when it comes to a lot of the small thing's and tweak's.

https://www.statesllc.com/products

I did take a second look, so far I see diamond and boride stones. Correct me if I'm wrong, if there are more, very well could be, I'm curious also. Personally, I'd like to see another course and another fine. I watched some videos on it this morning getting ready for work, there is a second version, the Mark 2, has a nice case, well organized, I think this takes it up a notch. The adjustment for the height is refined, easier to use and the stone clamp is adjustable which I'm guessing these shooting for using other vendor stones. The stock stones are 210mm, 8.26 inch's in length for the K02. Hapstone is 6 inches and KME is 4 inches. I like the option of lower angles, makes sense as long as the arms are, etc. Which also means you can sharpen longer knives. Definitely impressed after watching the video of the Mark 2

As far as the KME, I guess I've been lucky so far, no issues with the clamp, all the knives I use the KME for are 3 to 3.5 inch. As far as stones, I picked up the deluxe, added the .1 cbn emulsion for the kangaroo strop that comes with the deluxe kit, added the 6 grit strop kit, 8 stone chosera, of course the kit comes with four ceramic/arkansas stones, 6 gold stones, then I picked up the 8 grit bonded diamond venev stones from gritomatic. So, that's why I have this impression that the KME has more options but would like to see what options are there for the tsprof mark 2.

All in all, I spent the same on the KME with all those options as the price with the top mark 2

Can the tsprof use the edge pro stones?

wade7575 I finally read through your old thread and if I decipher it correctly, the tsprof does use the edge pro stones.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...arpening-stones-review.1544946/#post-17757768

 

[Hytekrednek]

The k-02 does a fine job with re-curve blades for me. I use 1/2'' wide stone and have no issues at all. I also have a couple half round stones that work good too. I like the k02 better because it can use nearly any stone 8'' and under, even bench stones if need be. It has a bunch of accessories available that make it very versatile. Stone with the aluminum blank "edge pro style" are available in many types of stones and from several sources. You can even make your own easily too. I have nearly every accessory made for the k02, and a pile of different stones of assorted materials and shapes. With all of this, I can sharpen nearly any type blade I need a super edge on. The kme would be great if all you needed to sharpen was 2'' blades and under in my opinion. I wanted versatility, longevity, and fine adjustment, so the K-02 is what I chose. There are many opinions, this is just mine. I have no doubt the kme is a good sharpener for the money. My K-02 should last the rest of my life, and probably someone else's too. All that will need to be purchased or made are stones from time to time, or sandpaper if using that method.

 

[Hytekrednek]

Bonded has seven grits with top being 2000, which if its like the venev i have, its not quite polished but a start for a mirror. Jewelers has three grits. My thoughts they (jewelers) would get you a good toothy, sharp edge. But your talking 35 for jewelers vs 150 ish for a set of bonded.

Shipping for gritomatic is out of the states and fast btw.

I have all gold diamond stones, full set of venev and full set of chosera for kme.

Bonded has seven grits with top being 2000, which if its like the venev i have, its not quite polished but a start for a mirror. Jewelers has three grits. My thoughts they (jewelers) would get you a good toothy, sharp edge. But your talking 35 for jewelers vs 150 ish for a set of bonded.

Shipping for gritomatic is out of the states and fast btw.

I have all gold diamond stones, full set of venev and full set of chosera for kme.

What do you mean by "jewlers" ? is that a brand? or a product?