- Joined
- Oct 15, 2014
- Messages
- 31
Newbie here - been lurking for few weeks now absorbing the wealth of knowledge here.
Just recently got into knives - and I'm bit hard by the bug, gotta admit. Bought my first "quality" knife a few weeks back - ZT 0566. In an effort to keep the thing up to snuff, decided I'd really try to get serious about learning about sharpening.
Bought the Lansky system - and had pretty much NO success with it. Couldn't keep the blade from walking out of the clamp no matter how much I tightened it, and couldn't get enough clearance at the lowest setting (17 degrees) to sharpen the blade without grinding away at the clamp. Then the clamp BENT around the screw area as I attempted to tighten it enough.
After researching and reviewing, decided the Sharpmaker might be the way to go - and I've had MUCH better results with it. I've got some of my softer-steeled knives scary sharp (not to the degree I see many are capable of on here, but sharper than anything I've laid my hands on before), but the ZT, and I'm guessing it's because of the Elmax steel on its blade, has so far not taken to my efforts as well. Sharp, but not the scary edge I'm looking for.
Okay, so here's the real question for you bladesmiths and such. I've been reading about you freehanders putting convex edges on your blades, and it seems to me that a convex edge would be quite desirable on this ZT. I even tried to do the mousepad and sandpaper method - but I'm not capable enough, obviously, and had to spend hours over the weekend getting the blade back up to snuff. It's not where I want it to be, but it's getting closer...
What about the Ken Onion Worksharp? Is this really a good system to get that durable, polished convex edge that seems to be such a good thing? I'm not in a position to keep throwing money at sharpeners - considered the Wicked Edge, but really, $300 to dip my toe in the waters seems kinda risky to me given my previous failed experience with a guided rod system (realizing it's not the Lansky, but still, $300, plus all the extras that seem like they'd be a good thing?). At $130 from Amazon, seems like the WS is affordable enough...IF I wouldn't just be destroying my edge again...
So, is the WS a good system for a learning newbie? Or will I see as good (or better) results sticking with the Sharpmaker?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom!
Just recently got into knives - and I'm bit hard by the bug, gotta admit. Bought my first "quality" knife a few weeks back - ZT 0566. In an effort to keep the thing up to snuff, decided I'd really try to get serious about learning about sharpening.
Bought the Lansky system - and had pretty much NO success with it. Couldn't keep the blade from walking out of the clamp no matter how much I tightened it, and couldn't get enough clearance at the lowest setting (17 degrees) to sharpen the blade without grinding away at the clamp. Then the clamp BENT around the screw area as I attempted to tighten it enough.
After researching and reviewing, decided the Sharpmaker might be the way to go - and I've had MUCH better results with it. I've got some of my softer-steeled knives scary sharp (not to the degree I see many are capable of on here, but sharper than anything I've laid my hands on before), but the ZT, and I'm guessing it's because of the Elmax steel on its blade, has so far not taken to my efforts as well. Sharp, but not the scary edge I'm looking for.
Okay, so here's the real question for you bladesmiths and such. I've been reading about you freehanders putting convex edges on your blades, and it seems to me that a convex edge would be quite desirable on this ZT. I even tried to do the mousepad and sandpaper method - but I'm not capable enough, obviously, and had to spend hours over the weekend getting the blade back up to snuff. It's not where I want it to be, but it's getting closer...
What about the Ken Onion Worksharp? Is this really a good system to get that durable, polished convex edge that seems to be such a good thing? I'm not in a position to keep throwing money at sharpeners - considered the Wicked Edge, but really, $300 to dip my toe in the waters seems kinda risky to me given my previous failed experience with a guided rod system (realizing it's not the Lansky, but still, $300, plus all the extras that seem like they'd be a good thing?). At $130 from Amazon, seems like the WS is affordable enough...IF I wouldn't just be destroying my edge again...
So, is the WS a good system for a learning newbie? Or will I see as good (or better) results sticking with the Sharpmaker?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom!