Sharpeners

arden.ferris

arden.ferris

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Dec 7, 2006
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not sure if this is the right forum for this, , , but what do ya'all think are the best sharpeners. manual or electric. I have been using and norton india stone and a ceramic stick sharpeners but is is sometime difficult to get the perfect bevel. specially when I am tired. I like to keep my knives shavin sharp particularly for working in the kitchen.

Anyone????
 
Most people, myself included, like the Edgepro system. But it really depends on your needs and abilities. I can get almost as sharp of an edge with a Sharpmaker, and it costs quite a bit less. I don't "need" the extra sharpness, but I thought it was worth it. Then there are some people who can get their knives as sharp as anyone can using stones freehand...
 
Myself, I like to sharpen free hand. I use DMT stones, the Spyderco ceramics, and diamond paste loaded strops. It might not be the fastest system, but it certainly is enjoyable.
 
For perfect edges and reprofiling (recreating the factory edge or making a new one at a different angle), I use an EdgePro. For touch-ups, I either use a Spyderco Sharpmaker ceramic rods freehand or DMT diamond bench stones.

For quick work, I also use a WorkSharp WSKTS powered system. It's great for big blades (machetes, axes and other outdoor tools). It's a guided system but I use it freehand. For out in the field, I use DMT Diafolds.
 
For a manual system the Wicked edge lays down perfect bevels and can make hair popping edges. you can leave it toothy or go for a full polished edge!!
 
How many knives will you actually be sharpening, and how often do you need to actually remove metal? How much space in your home would you dedicate to sharpening?

If the answers to the first question is just 3-4 knives to sharpen a couple of times a year, then most powered systems are pretty much a waste of money. Knife use like this requires infrequent sharpening combined with frequent touch-ups. Other wise you will wind up grinding away your blade in a just a couple of years. I sharpen my knives 2-3 times a year using an EdgePro or DMT Aligner clamp. The rest of the time the blades get weekly touch-ups on a Sharpmaker, the kitchen knives also get steeled between uses. These are very portable units, can be stored in a drawer between uses, and set up in a minute or two.

If you have dozens of knives, or need to sharpen knives every day for business purposes, and have a workshop to set them up, a machine device such as WorkSharp, Tormek, and belt sanders are effective, as are paper wheels.

"ALL" the sharpeners work, some faster, some more accurately. Plan your sharpener purchase based on YOUR own need, rather than someone else's.


Stitchawl
 
lots of good advice. I have a really nice set of kitchen knives that I typically "touch up" between uses. Additionally I will sharpen my EDC knives as needed. I never let them get so bad that they need reprofiling or major work. I do like the sharp enough to shave my arm. also right now I do not have space for major power tools. something small maybe. any one use the smith sharpeners?
 
The Aligner clamp that Stitchawl referred to is very, very versatile. When used in conjunction with DMT's Aligner or MagnaGuide hones (Dia-Folds), it'll easily produce shaving edges on medium/large folders and kitchen knives. When used alone with whichever bench hone you choose (or even sandpaper on a block of wood/glass), it'll also make maintaining a consistent angle much easier. The best news is, it's inexpensive; maybe $10 - $15, depending where you get it. Edges created with it can be easily maintained by stropping on leather/wood/sandpaper, depending on need/preference, or some very light passes on a ceramic hone. This is how I've maintained 99% of my knives, AFTER creating a good/ideal bevel with the Aligner clamp. For someone with light sharpening needs, it's about the best bang-for-the-buck available.

Your ceramic stick sharpener could also likely be used with the Aligner clamp. Just lay the ceramic rod flat, on an elevated surface if need be (like a piece of wood, a book, whatever works), attach the clamp to your blade, and use it as if you were using a bench hone. For light, quick, micro bevel touch-ups on the ceramic, that'd be an easy way to keep your angle consistent on each pass. Adjust the clamp height and/or the height of the rod, to get your angle where you want it.
 
The Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener is perhaps one of the most advanced rigs for the dedicated sharpener. Soon it will have an add on device for sharpening at very acute angles (below 15 degrees to whatever...) and a jig for sharpening serrated edges. These will fit the WEPS as it stands now. BTW besides the diamond paddles that come with the standard set, there are also paddles with Chosera and soon Shapton stones available as well as a variety of strops and some of the world's best sharpening compounds from Hand American and Ken Schwartz. All in all the WEPS is now on a par with the EP Pro and in some areas in advance IMHO.
I have had one for over a year now and I am delighted with its super accurate, repeatable-every-time performance. The edges on my collection of knives are beyond sharp and I couldn't be more satisfied with the WEPS, never mind the excellent caring service from Clay Allison and his crew.
Check it out. I am glad I did.

Best of luck to you in your search
Leo
 
thanks guys, I just got my DMT Angler today. it was inexpensive, easy to use and works great. couple strokes and my knives are arm hair shavin sharp! sweet.
 
stitchawl said:
How many knives will you actually be sharpening, and how often do you need to actually remove metal? How much space in your home would you dedicate to sharpening?

If the answers to the first question is just 3-4 knives to sharpen a couple of times a year, then most powered systems are pretty much a waste of money. Knife use like this requires infrequent sharpening combined with frequent touch-ups. Other wise you will wind up grinding away your blade in a just a couple of years. I sharpen my knives 2-3 times a year using an EdgePro or DMT Aligner clamp. The rest of the time the blades get weekly touch-ups on a Sharpmaker, the kitchen knives also get steeled between uses. These are very portable units, can be stored in a drawer between uses, and set up in a minute or two.

If you have dozens of knives, or need to sharpen knives every day for business purposes, and have a workshop to set them up, a machine device such as WorkSharp, Tormek, and belt sanders are effective, as are paper wheels.

"ALL" the sharpeners work, some faster, some more accurately. Plan your sharpener purchase based on YOUR own need, rather than someone else's.


Stitchawl
Click to expand...
Powered systems aren't necessarily a waste of money, even with frequent touch-ups. I'd imagine it would take quite a while to grind away the blade with slotted paper wheels or my Mother's Mag Polish loaded belt on my Worksharp. I might give it a try on one of my Moras for about 20 minutes to see if it goes anywhere, but I sincerely doubt it.
 
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