Recommendation? Sharpening System

[PirateSeulb]

I currently do not sharpen my knives myself but I would like to however I have a few issues with the task some OCD and others more functional.

#1 I have hand tremors they are realatively mild but had them as along as I can remember and I can't hold things terribly steady or keep an angle. This means free hand is out as an option for me.
#2 I want to be able to sharpen a variety of grinds on as little different equipment as possible. I know I have some knives with Convex grinds and V or Flat grinds I need to sharpen. Currently I don't have any I know are a Hollow grind but I want to cover that option too if possible.
#3 I also have minimal knowledge on sharpening but this might also be something to focus on with a specific type of sharpening system in mind. I believe regardless of that I do need and want to know how best to check and edge both for what type of grind it has if I wish to match it as well how to easily and properly check it for sharpeness and other issues.

#1 & #2 are more for suggesting a specific sharpening solution and #3 for suggesting videos, dvds, articles, or books that can help me learn more about the process.

Main systems I have looked at are the WE, EdgePro, KME, and the Worksharp but those all seem to only do one type of grind.

 

[PeterS84]

Main systems I have looked at are the WE, EdgePro, KME, and the Worksharp but those all seem to only do one type of grind.

When you're referring to grinds, are you talking about the primary or secondary bevels (i.e. main grind of the knife or the cutting edge)?

I have both a KME and an EdgePro... they both sharpen with a V-bevel but can be used on knives which are flat ground, hollow ground, convex ground, etc. Based on my understanding of your questions, I would point you toward the KME. This is primarily because the EdgePro requires you to hold the knife on the blade table with one hand and push the stones back and forth with the other which may be an issue for you depending on the severity of your tremors.

Also, the KME has an accessory arm which allows you to sharpen with a convex edge rather than the traditional V-edge. It's a clamped system, which would be good with your physical limitations. It's also significantly less expensive than most, if not all, of the Wicked Edge product offerings. Just food for thought.

 

[PirateSeulb]

The secondary bevel the actually cutting edge which I know will often be flat so I have leaned heavily toward the WE, EdgePro, and KME systems.

Also how do any of these do with a recurved blade or Karambit curved blade?

 

[PeterS84]

The secondary bevel the actually cutting edge which I know will often be flat so I have leaned heavily toward the WE, EdgePro, and KME systems.

Also how do any of these do with a recurved blade or Karambit curved blade?

In my experience, Karambits are a total pain with almost any system. Recurves aren't as bad, but in either case you're likely going to have to invest in a separate stone set that have a more narrow width to allow you to sharpen in those tighter radii. (Example: Edge Pro stones are normally 1" width, but they sell stones which are 1/2" to be used for recurves.)

Personally, if I had to sharpen a karambit with any regularity, that would seem like a good time to use the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Likewise, if I had to do a lot of recurves, I'd be using the Sharpmaker for regular touch-ups until it came time to d a full sharpening or reprofiling job, at which point I would move to the Edge Pro with the narrower stones, etc.

 

[kwselke]

I have suffered with an essential tremor for decades. I gave up knife sharpening a few years back because the tremor had become too much to deal with. Then someone suggested I clamp a Spyderco Sharpmaker to a table top and hold the knife with both hands. I have become quite proficient at knife sharpening keeping both hands on the knife. I use two small quick release clamps to keep the sharpener steady.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Right now I just have 1 recurve blade and 1 karambit so not a big deal just a curious point of pondering for future knives and sharpening

 

[dalefuller]

Wicked Edge does have curved stones for sharpening recurved blades. They're an optional extra, so that means more $ on top of an already expensive sharpener. Unless your tremors are really significant, the Edge Pro might still work for you. Once you get the knife on the table, you can use some pressure to hold it in place. That seems to overcome the tremors I have from age and nerve damage. If I use enough pressure, I can hold the knife steady against the table. I just have to work slowly and make sure that nothing is changing from one stroke to the next.

My personal preference is for a Wicked Edge in spite of the high initial investment. It holds the knife in place for me and all I have to focus on is steady strokes with the stones.

I'd not recommend a WorkSharp, or any powered system, with unsteady hands. They cut too fast and it's too easy to for a minor slip-up to become a major problem. They're OK if user input and control is top-notch, but otherwise...

 

[Blues]

I have suffered with an essential tremor for decades. I gave up knife sharpening a few years back because the tremor had become too much to deal with. Then someone suggested I clamp a Spyderco Sharpmaker to a table top and hold the knife with both hands. I have become quite proficient at knife sharpening keeping both hands on the knife. I use two small quick release clamps to keep the sharpener steady.

Sounds like you'd do well with a setup like tiguy7 built for himself:

(Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind one myself.)

 

[PeterS84]

Right now I just have 1 recurve blade and 1 karambit so not a big deal just a curious point of pondering for future knives and sharpening

The recurves and karambit could be done on any of the systems that have been recommended to you. If you're comfortable with the fact that you'll need some extra stones geared for that specific purpose, then you really can't go wrong with any of them. I would shy away from the WorkSharp, like Dale said, because a small mis-step can grind off too much material or cause that to happen unevenly. If it were me, I'd be looking strongly at a clamped system, even though I think the EdgePro is also an excellent product.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Thinks for all the details I am really leaning toward the KME after all these details and information at least for the start debating if I want/need the stand. I will have someone else do my recurved knife and karambit for now and after getting comfortable one what ever I get when I get it I will look into what I need to work on those but might look into the convex first. I wonder if using the KME convexing guide rod "upside down" would functionally give you a hollow grind. I would need to put that into some graphing visualizations but I am thinking not.

 

[aleforme]

For your specific needs and limitations, I think the WE would be the best choice. You can lock everything including the knife in place with no need to flip the knife. Adjustments are simple and stright forward. You can really tighten everything down leaving just the movement of the stones to work with.

 

[trailhunter]

Thinks for all the details I am really leaning toward the KME after all these details and information at least for the start debating if I want/need the stand. I will have someone else do my recurved knife and karambit for now and after getting comfortable one what ever I get when I get it I will look into what I need to work on those but might look into the convex first. I wonder if using the KME convexing guide rod "upside down" would functionally give you a hollow grind. I would need to put that into some graphing visualizations but I am thinking not.

If you want, I can sharpen your knives for ya, I'm in the east coast.

 

[PirateSeulb]

There is a local guy with a belt system he made I will let him touch up some knives but for now I am looking into who and where I might get more done. I will also need to see more of this mans work to see what I will let him sharpen. I will gladly keep anyone in mind from here who offers such services but if I can do it local or myself it is preferred.