Recommend me a sharpening system, please.

jstn

jstn

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Jun 27, 2012
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I’ve been using a Sharpmaker for the last decade plus, but I would like something to be able to sharpen and reprofile. I am not great at sharpening. I can get shaving edges most of the time on the Sharpmaker, but they aren’t what I would consider extremely sharp. On my larger fixed blades (6-8 inches) I am less successful. What I want is something relatively foolproof that I can get great edges, even from very dull knives, sharpen longer blades, and set more acutely edge angles.

My limit is around $250

From my searching I’ve nearly settled on the KME, but I wanted to see if there are better options. Also, is the KME a good system for someone who sucks at sharpening?

I do have freehand stones and DMT plates, but I’m no good with those; a guided system is a must.
 
Yes, the KME for the money you're looking to spend is the best choice in a guided system. Go with the diamonds, you won't get as frustrated trying to reprofile or remove a chip. They're more aggressive.
Know the properties of the steel you're sharpening and you'll do fine once you get the hang of it. A sharpie for marking the edge and a strop are a must for a crisp edge.
 
Ajack60 said:
Yes, the KME for the money you're looking to spend is the best choice in a guided system. Go with the diamonds, you won't get as frustrated trying to reprofile or remove a chip. They're more aggressive.
Know the properties of the steel you're sharpening and you'll do fine once you get the hang of it. A sharpie for marking the edge and a strop are a must for a crisp edge.
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Thank you sir!
 
I'm a giant fan of a 1x30 powered abrasive belt. For speed mostly.

practice and sharpie markers help you make fewer mistakes. otherwise diamond plates work very well.

eta. actually read your original post. oops. I've never used a guided sharpening system. apologies.

a powered harbor freight 1x30 will cover all of your bases with practice.
 
I picked up a Ruixin Pro RX-008 on Amazon for about $45. I got an extra set of stones from 240 grit to 10,000 grit for another $20. I used it to refurbish a beat up Spyderco Police in an hour. It isn’t the greatest out there and you have to set the angle with a protractor app but it is easy to use for reprofiling right to mirror polishing the edge. I put a 6000 grit 15 degree angle on this VG-10 police in almost exactly one hour with this sharpener and a sharpie marker.
I wasnt in a position to buy a $250 Edge Pro and after having solely used a Sharpmaker for the last 10 years this works for me. Fit and finish isnt the greatest, one of the spare stones separated from its base but it is simple to use, easy to change stones and the knife can be rotated in the clamp without removing it. All in all as an entry level sharpening system for a guy who HATES to sharpen knives, it works for me. If you keep in mind that it is an under $50 sharpening system I would recommend it for a beginning setup.
 
jstn said:
a guided system is a must.
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KME is a small system and beautifully suitable for standard knife sizes, not large knivez.

if you do a large knife on a KME (it's possible of course) , things will become\turn\feel awkward soon; you'll try and do it once, of course successfully, and then
 
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Thanks, I made the clevises out of split 1”X 3” box channel. The right and left threaded rod ends are used for the turnbuckles.
 
I have a K.O. Worksharp and I really like it for any sort of reprofiling. I also really like it for my larger knives too.
 
Have a ko worksharp, hapstone v7 and a hapstone r2

The r2 is my favorite

(Get the venev 2 sided diamond stones)
 
I have a hapstone m2 and like it a lot. Picked up a 1x30 belt unit from Grizzly w/ angle guide while visiting my sister. Now I need to hit up a thrift store for some knives to practice on.
 
sickpuppy1 said:
I need to hit up a thrift store for some knives to practice on.
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I've checked three in my area. Still no knives. I'm beginning to think they're not putting anything "dangerous" on the shelves anymore. Can't blame them. We live in an unnecessarily screwed up time.
 
jstn said:
I’ve been using a Sharpmaker for the last decade plus, but I would like something to be able to sharpen and reprofile. I am not great at sharpening. I can get shaving edges most of the time on the Sharpmaker, but they aren’t what I would consider extremely sharp. On my larger fixed blades (6-8 inches) I am less successful. What I want is something relatively foolproof that I can get great edges, even from very dull knives, sharpen longer blades, and set more acutely edge angles.

My limit is around $250

From my searching I’ve nearly settled on the KME, but I wanted to see if there are better options. Also, is the KME a good system for someone who sucks at sharpening?

I do have freehand stones and DMT plates, but I’m no good with those; a guided system is a must.
Click to expand...
For that price you can one of the best sharpeners on the market - a Hapstone R2 Lite is $220, and the better version, a Hapstone R2 Standard is $270 on Gritomatic. One of these Hapstone systems is in a different league to, for example, a KME or Edge Pro system.

For stones to get you started on the Hapstone, get yourself a "Basic diamond set", also from Gritomatic.
 
Mister Coffee said:
I've checked three in my area. Still no knives. I'm beginning to think they're not putting anything "dangerous" on the shelves anymore. Can't blame them. We live in an unnecessarily screwed up time.
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I pity them, for living in fear.

Last I checked, Walmart has some pretty cheap Farberware knives that could be sacrificed.

Parker
 
I had same problem looking for practice knives. The local thrifts had nothing, ended up getting some cheap kitchen knives from Amazon. Much rather butcher a $15 chefs knife instead of my Wüsthofs or Globals.
 
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