Ready to Purchase a Quality Knife Sharpener; Which One?

This was my sharpening system progression:
  1. Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition
    • got bad results, tips hard to get right
  2. Lansky System
    • Actually proved to me that I can get a knife sharp, but small and fiddly
  3. Sharpening Stone(s)
    • Didnt have the patience to learn
  4. TSPROF K03
    • Amazing- perfect for someone like me. Can use sort of the universal Edge Pro style stone, so many choices.
    • Easily produce insanely sharp blades
 
People recommend what they know or have.

I have a Wicked Edge with all the extras I could ever need. It is not difficult to use, but, practice is needed. It is very repeatable, but, comes in a giant case and is not cheap.

I'm sure any of the above recommendations will get a knife scary sharp with reasonable effort.
 
First I personally thank each of you for your time and thoughts on purchasing new sharpener. I see there is really no right or wrong sharpener it is more about finding what fits your needs.
Based off what I feel will work best for me with low volume of sharping I have ordered the KME Knife Sharpening System, KME Gold Series Diamond hones in 4 grits - XC 140, C 300, F 600 and XF 1500, 1oz Water Bottle, 12 x 12 Cotton Cleaning Cloth, Detailed Instructions and Hardshell Storage Case.
I have several old knives laying around I can practice on and get the feel before attempting higher end knives.
I thank each of you again for your thoughts and time, it was very much useful.
Cheers!
 
BladeOwner72 said:
First I personally thank each of you for your time and thoughts on purchasing new sharpener. I see there is really no right or wrong sharpener it is more about finding what fits your needs.
Based off what I feel will work best for me with low volume of sharping I have ordered the KME Knife Sharpening System, KME Gold Series Diamond hones in 4 grits - XC 140, C 300, F 600 and XF 1500, 1oz Water Bottle, 12 x 12 Cotton Cleaning Cloth, Detailed Instructions and Hardshell Storage Case.
I have several old knives laying around I can practice on and get the feel before attempting higher end knives.
I thank each of you again for your thoughts and time, it was very much useful.
Cheers!
Click to expand...

Yep, it's a good idea to practice on knives that you don't care much about. I hope you enjoy your KME.
 
Yes, let us know how it goes as I never had good luck with the Sharpmaker though liked the idea. The KME was my next choice and might go the same route of yourself (OP) as seems like a great stable system for the price. Just the same the selection of knives you listed I too have the need for a good sharpening. The only thing with fixed systems is hoping they don't take too much "meat off the bone" if you will as feel like basic blocks of sharpening stones will take off less. At the same time the amount of practice and skill one must acquire many people just don't have the time for. This is where a good system like the Lansky, KME, Edge Pro and Wicked Edge come into play.
 
Gilbert G said:
Yes, let us know how it goes as I never had good luck with the Sharpmaker though liked the idea. The KME was my next choice and might go the same route of yourself (OP) as seems like a great stable system for the price. Just the same the selection of knives you listed I too have the need for a good sharpening. The only thing with fixed systems is hoping they don't take too much "meat off the bone" if you will as feel like basic blocks of sharpening stones will take off less. At the same time the amount of practice and skill one must acquire many people just don't have the time for. This is where a good system like the Lansky, KME, Edge Pro and Wicked Edge come into play.
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I will post an update once I have it in hand; shows it will be here this Thursday so by Saturday at some point I should be getting a good feel on how it works. Basic kit comes with 4 stones only so I have some finer grits ordered as well so there is less blade removal for touch up sharpening; I know some metal leaves but your right to much metal removal isn't good.
 
Don't forget a stone thickness compensator for thinner or thicker stones; stone simple to use. Also a base is nice, factory or Panavise, though for training it is good to occupy the off hand with the handle... If you have axes, swords, lawn mower blades, etc, you should check out the KME axe sharpener with magnet, which requires a KME type stone holder. And of course you can use the KME for broadheads.
Gritomatic has a bunch of KME form factor stuff that Ron does not carry at KME like finer bonded diamond stones / Silicon Carbide stones / EdgePro stone carrier for the KME. A angle finder app is handy along with a sharpie.
Keeping tuned for ongoing thought on your results-
 
I use and like the KME it was the right mix of price and function. I started with the lansky like many others but the inherent slop in the design left a lot to be desired along with the very limited angles that you could work with. The KME is an upgrade in every way with the clamp being covered in rubber to avoid scratches, the pivot being adjustable and sturdy, and the base being more secure and wide.

The KME stones are small which I have heard makes working on high vanadium steel more difficult than some of the more expensive competitors like Hapstone or Wicked Edge though I have sharpened M390, M4, S90V, S30V, Elmax, Nitro V, and a host of other blade steels just fine on the KME.
 
I am also thinking about upgrading my sharpening gear. I must have been looking at the wrong places but where is the Lansky guided system with 5 diamond stones sold? All I can see is the one with 4 diamond stones.
 
scottc3 said:
Don't forget a stone thickness compensator for thinner or thicker stones; stone simple to use. Also a base is nice, factory or Panavise, though for training it is good to occupy the off hand with the handle... If you have axes, swords, lawn mower blades, etc, you should check out the KME axe sharpener with magnet, which requires a KME type stone holder. And of course you can use the KME for broadheads.
Gritomatic has a bunch of KME form factor stuff that Ron does not carry at KME like finer bonded diamond stones / Silicon Carbide stones / EdgePro stone carrier for the KME. A angle finder app is handy along with a sharpie.
Keeping tuned for ongoing thought on your results-
Click to expand...
Thanks for turning me onto the Gritomatic website; I will post how it does for me as soon as I play with it a little.
 
scottc3 said:
Gritomatic has a bunch of KME form factor stuff that Ron does not carry at KME like finer bonded diamond stones / Silicon Carbide stones / EdgePro stone carrier for the KME.
Click to expand...

EdgePro stone carrier for the KME you say? Be nice to use those lapping films I have left over.
 
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sharp_edge said:
I am also thinking about upgrading my sharpening gear. I must have been looking at the wrong places but where is the Lansky guided system with 5 diamond stones sold? All I can see is the one with 4 diamond stones.
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Amazon has them for about 48 bucks when I was reviewing different kits; they also have the pedestal mount for about 15 more bucks.
 
sharp_edge said:
I thought the $48 5-stone Lansky has ceramic or whatever stones, but not diamond stones.
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My bad I didn’t see you were looking for the diamond stones, you are right; 4 stone diamond kit is all I saw with option to purchase additional diamond stones on Lansky’s web page.
 
Okay, for those who asked for a follow up I have received my KME Precision Knife Sharpening System and may I say I am Highly Pleased! Kit shows items included were 4 KME Gold Series Diamond Stones (including the colored instruction pamphlet) inside of case, but I received the XXC-100 Grit in place of the XC-140 Grit stone. The other three stones are the proper ones for kit, C-300, F-600 and the XF-1500.
So I tried the system out with me using an old kitchen Damascus chef blade with a very dull blade that I received in a box of moms things. Put a black mark on the angle at the blades edge and lightly oiled the F-600 stone with a few drops of the Honing oil and made a few passes to see if black from marker was coming off and was able to see quickly that I needed to drop about a degree or so and bingo that easily I had my pitch angle set. Replaced with XXC-100 stone and after lightly oiling stone I made my passes slowing down the length of the blade and etc till I had a good curled burr along the entire edge of the blade. Very easy to flip knife over and work other side till edge started to get burr roll on other side; was able to quickly make strokes up into edge of blade to lose the burrs and was amazed at how even the angles were when looking down the blade edge. Repeated the process as I worked my way to the XF-1500.
The blade has a razor edge and only took about 20 minutes. This was money well spent in my opinion and I look forward to using this on other blades to see how it comes together for me. I also have ordered some additional stones to fill in my sets.
Hope you find this useful; thank you again all for your valuable input. Cheers!
 
BladeOwner72 said:
and lightly oiled the F-600 stone with a few drops of the Honing oil
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hands in the air waving... ok, ok, even for reprofiles I never use oil on any KME stones, just generic windex on a sponge in cup saucer, touch stone face to sponge n go, or spray directly on stone. Of course works great as well.
 
So the honing oil sent with kit should not be used? It stated that a few drops of oil should be applied before using stone or am I getting that wrong? I'm all for Windex too but went by instructions....I get what you are saying for reprofiles
 
I think either way works, with the most important skill being keep light pressure with diamonds. I feel a little sheepish admitting I don't follow instructions at times, but in this case, I knew from experience it would work. Actually started with water n sponge. Also gotta restate, the KME stones work great after alot of use. thumbsup!
 
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