Sharpener

J

Juanelfort

Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
52
Hi, would like to know what sharpeners or better what sharpener systems you use and think it's best?

Thanks so far
 
I would try wicked sharp system for perfect looking bevels or water stones for work knives.
 
I sharpen freehand, occasionally use an angle guide. Diamond hones will cut any kind of steel and last practically forever. Once in a while I use an ancient Black Arkansas for high carbon steel blades.
 
I recommend a cheap waterstone/bench stone

Then reading all the stickys to learn how to use it.

That's the cheapest and most liberating.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I recommend a cheap waterstone/bench stone

Then reading all the stickys to learn how to use it.

That's the cheapest and most liberating.
Click to expand...

I kinda agree. I just got some Shapton stones and have started using them. Pretty discouraging at first but my edges are getting a little better.

As for systems I've been using the Sharpmaker for some time now and love it. Get a set of UF rods for it and you're set.
 
Sorry for the long post but I may be able to save you some time and frustration. I've been trying for years to get a decent edge by using a square stone only on a table and have never been successful. I recommend the Wicked Edge Field and Sport. $299.00 Has the upgraded arms and a decent supply of paddles. 8 Diamond Stones, 2 each in 100, 200, 400, and 600. I just ordered mine a few days ago with some extra 800 - 1000 grit diamond paddles $70.00 to augment the last supplied paddles of the kit of 600 grit diamond. All told I spent a little under 400 hundred. Before you say its too much, read some reviews. The extra paddles I bought are not required for a perfect razor sharp edge, but I like to finish my blades to a mirror finish. Most knives come from the factory with 1000, 800 or even 600 grit ruff finish. Rarely do knives come with a mirror finish. It is a very high quality device that will last a long time and you will be able to help friends out in sharpening their knives too. Bragging rights too if your into that kind of thing, "wow! You have a wicked edge?! Can you sharpen my knife for me"? kinda thing. I have been using the Lansky deluxe system for awhile and it operates on a similar principal but is far less accurate, the arms do flex a little which slightly rounds the edge your trying to put on it and you cannot match existing knife bevels with it 9 times out of 10 or more but it does work. After using the fine stone on the Lansky system I polish the knife with white first then green and finally red polishing compounds by hand on 3 different strops. I do get VERY good results but have decided to spring for the expensive wicked edge because it is very accurate and you get a perfect edge. Touch ups are also a breeze with it, but I can generally get away with only using my strops to touch up an edge. When more money becomes available I intend to switch the by hand stropping over to the wicked edge because they make leather strops for it too. So far from what I have read about the device is that the diamond paddles take time to break in. They are a little aggressive when their new but settle in after about 8 knives. I'm going to use very light pressure in the beginning to break then in properly. Some people are recommending to scrape the paddles together to break them in, that does not sound good to me. I think letting the diamond paddles slowly break in on the metals they will be sharpening will give the best results long term. Presently they are backordered on the wicked edge website and I bought mine on ebay along with the extra paddles. Something else to keep in mind is the new generation 3 device they are preparing for market. Read about that one also on the net. There are pluses and minuses to the new generation 3 model. I think I like the second generation better, the one I ordered. Do be careful and not get the first generation device that does not have the ball pivoting arms at the base. You want the one that has the pivoting arms that use a ball at the pivot. The wicked edge field and sport has the upgraded arms. The first generation wicked edge sharpener does not and people have had sharpening consistency issues with it, know the difference before you buy and get the correct arms with the ball ends.
I hope this helps someone!
 
DeadboxHero said:
I recommend a cheap waterstone/bench stone

Then reading all the stickys to learn how to use it.

That's the cheapest and most liberating.
Click to expand...

This ^

Ultimately you will want to learn freehand anyway. An inexpensive combination silicon carbide stone, a Sharpie marker, bottle of grocery store mineral oil, and a handful of $1 knives from the Goodwill.

Beyond that the options are massive - I use waterstones, my Washboard (link below in Sig line), and if dealing with high carbide content steel some diamond plates are good to have around. The humble combination SiC stone will never collect dust no matter what else you get, so is a good place to start.
 
Thanks so far for all your ideas so far. Does anyone have experience with this machine ?
Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener – Ken Onion Edition


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The work sharp ko if that's what you are eyeing is great. I'd recommend getting the bga for it too. You will have great edges in no time. Then you will probably get addicted to making it sharper and sharper and then it's time for free hand and good set of stones
 
The WSKO belt grinder is great but be warned. Its not a shortcut for understanding how to sharpen.
 
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