Sharpening system?

R

Ryansknives

Joined
Nov 9, 2019
Messages
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I have an Edge Pro. I like it. However I have a few dislikes. First off I’ve been using it to sharpen knives for about 10 years now. I can get a knife very very sharp with it. I also use a 1X30 belt sander. Strops ceramic rod ect. I use the 1X30 mostly for high volume knife sharpening.

I sharpen knives as a hobby business. I refuse to use the belt sander for high end kitchen and pocket knives. I use the sander to grind down bolsters though. For high end knives I usually use the Edge Pro.

The man thing I do not like about the EP is it’s next to impossible for me to have some movement when trying to hold the knife at a constant angle. It does work and like I said I get knives super sharp.

With that said I’m seriously looking into a Tormek T8. I’m also considering a Wicked Edge. Before anybody says get the T4 because bla bla bla. I do not want the T4. I usually sharpen 20-30 knives a month on my EP. and 50-100 on the belt sander. I know it’s not super high volume but I’m planning on expanding soon. My understanding is the T8s advantage is it’s faster than the WE. Also the T8 can sharpen way more tools from drill bits to Axes.

So for the precision knife sharpening system would you prefer the T8 or the WE? If I get the T8 I am intending to buy the 4K grit Japanese water stone soon as funds allow. I’m also considering selling my EP and buying both the WE and the T8. Just because. I’m just afraid if I do that I may stick to the T8 and the WE will collect dust or the other way around. With all that said what do you think?

Thanks.
 
Ryansknives said:
I have an Edge Pro. I like it. However I have a few dislikes. First off I’ve been using it to sharpen knives for about 10 years now. I can get a knife very very sharp with it. I also use a 1X30 belt sander. Strops ceramic rod ect. I use the 1X30 mostly for high volume knife sharpening.

I sharpen knives as a hobby business. I refuse to use the belt sander for high end kitchen and pocket knives. I use the sander to grind down bolsters though. For high end knives I usually use the Edge Pro.

The man thing I do not like about the EP is it’s next to impossible for me to have some movement when trying to hold the knife at a constant angle. It does work and like I said I get knives super sharp.

With that said I’m seriously looking into a Tormek T8. I’m also considering a Wicked Edge. Before anybody says get the T4 because bla bla bla. I do not want the T4. I usually sharpen 20-30 knives a month on my EP. and 50-100 on the belt sander. I know it’s not super high volume but I’m planning on expanding soon. My understanding is the T8s advantage is it’s faster than the WE. Also the T8 can sharpen way more tools from drill bits to Axes.

So for the precision knife sharpening system would you prefer the T8 or the WE? If I get the T8 I am intending to buy the 4K grit Japanese water stone soon as funds allow. I’m also considering selling my EP and buying both the WE and the T8. Just because. I’m just afraid if I do that I may stick to the T8 and the WE will collect dust or the other way around. With all that said what do you think?

Thanks.
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Might also want to look into some of the sharpener's that are similar to the Edge Pro, but hold the knife in a clamp, like the TSProf, and others... since you're already used to the Edge Pro setup (and might be able to use EP stones on them).

Between the two you're asking about... two totally different paths. W.E. mainly does knives and does them well, the Tormek is a "jack of all trades" that does decent on a lot, but doesn't excel at anything. (I think I once said i's a sharpener for wood turning tools, you can also sharpen a knife on). The knife jig is a bit limiting (doesn't self center for example), if you plan on using it. But if you want to sharpen the other things you mentioned, you can get a decent edge on a knife with it, and if you do other items, it would be worth it.

So, if you want a "precision knife sharpening system", I'd say W.E. or the E.P. type models that clamp, if you want an all around sharpener, that's when I'd look at the Tormek.
 
Your Edge Pro will give better result's then a Tormek so if your wanting the same sharpness as your Edge Pro don't buy that one,I thought about buying a Wicked Edge years ago and I'm glad I didn't.

I don't hate Wicked Edge but the stone selection sucks and you also have to buy 2 of everything and the clamp they have doesn't work that great and you still need to use a thin peace of leather with the W.E on some knifes,plus you can't get very low angle's with the W.E

I really like the TSProf's for many reason's,they are well built and they have a ton of clamp option's and they really hold your knife in place really well,if you have steel's like S30V S35VN S110V M390 M4 get the Metallic CBN stones as well in F80 F120 and F400 for removing metal fast and they will out last any other diamond or CBN stone on the market many times over.
 
I have the edge pro and the kme. I find they both have advantages in different areas. I was going to sell the edge pro but found myself needing it for some jobs the kme just couldn't handle. Never considered the w.e. do to needing to buy two of each stone and having to set up both sides separately. Just my thoughts.
 
I like the tsprof with the edgepro matrix diamonds much better than the wicked edge. I sold wicked edge.

I also tried the Tormek and didn't like it for knife sharpening
 
Check out the Hapstone R1. It's the same idea as the TSProf. I've been using my R1 for a few weeks, after years with an Edgepro, and it's like moving from training wheels to a Ducati.
 
Shmackey said:
Check out the Hapstone R1. It's the same idea as the TSProf. I've been using my R1 for a few weeks, after years with an Edgepro, and it's like moving from training wheels to a Ducati.
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I checked out the Hapstone looks really interesting. I like that it will work with all the stones I already have.
 
I’m surprised to find less love for the WE here than I expected. Glad I signed up. I’m now looking at the TS prof the Kme and the Hapstone.

So I really think I’m going to purchase the T8. I’m going to invest first in the Japanese water stone. Then the CBM diamond wheels. Reason being is the ability to sharpen more than just knives. I hand sharpen my axes and hatches all the time if they are real bad I use a sander. I’ve got a pile of dull drill bits. I also sharpen chisels by hand and a few other tools such as machetes. With the T8 I may be able to offer these services to my customers. From a business standpoint the T8 may be better.

The EP is not horrible as I have used it for a long time. So I think I’m going to keep using it for now. In the future when funds allow in going to “upgrade” it for something else. But I’m going to keep it. The clamp or magnetic systems have their down sides also and I can see where the EP may have an advantage at times. For instance a really long blade could become a pain in the butt on a clamp down or magnetic system. The EP would work as long as you could keep it steady.
 
Ryansknives said:
I’m surprised to find less love for the WE here than I expected. Glad I signed up. I’m now looking at the TS prof the Kme and the Hapstone.

So I really think I’m going to purchase the T8. I’m going to invest first in the Japanese water stone. Then the CBM diamond wheels. Reason being is the ability to sharpen more than just knives. I hand sharpen my axes and hatches all the time if they are real bad I use a sander. I’ve got a pile of dull drill bits. I also sharpen chisels by hand and a few other tools such as machetes. With the T8 I may be able to offer these services to my customers. From a business standpoint the T8 may be better.

The EP is not horrible as I have used it for a long time. So I think I’m going to keep using it for now. In the future when funds allow in going to “upgrade” it for something else. But I’m going to keep it. The clamp or magnetic systems have their down sides also and I can see where the EP may have an advantage at times. For instance a really long blade could become a pain in the butt on a clamp down or magnetic system. The EP would work as long as you could keep it steady.
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Yes sir. This is my experience. And why the edge pro is still with me.
 
Ryansknives said:
I checked out the Hapstone looks really interesting. I like that it will work with all the stones I already have.
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Another cool thing about the Hapstone is that it will lock down stones that don't even have the chamfered plate end. I'm pretty sure you could use it with, say, a Spyderco Double Stuff or even their bench stones as long as they're not longer than 8 inches.
 
Maybe @wootzblade of Knife Grinders can weigh in some more on the Tormek. They use one extensively.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrs9DEOG9tHbxAH50CKINqA

I've owned a KME for years and it is a great system with a ton of versatility. However, for the sharpening volume you're looking at, I'd recommend one of the systems with longer stones. It's just that much more effecient. On a couple knives a month, it's no big deal, but across 20+ that will add up.
 
Mr.Wizard said:
How is it better?
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Apart from clamp vs. table (the R1 uses a clamp, and the V7 uses a table like Edge Pro):
  • All metal construction (my R1 is about 8 pounds heavier than my Edge Pro Apex)
  • Much smoother, longer stroke
  • Spring-loaded stone holder
  • Stone holder holds any stones
  • Spring-buffered stroke stop thingies
  • Wider angle range
  • Angle fine tuner
  • Sits on the table, no need for suction cups or clamps
 
For versatility it's hard to beat the TSProf system or it's CNC machined quality. Check out this video where the Angle Extender allows sharpening your chopper to 35 degrees per side.
Also, you can sharpen scissors, wood chisels and hand plane blades with the Small Universal Table. We have started the Black Friday Sale so you can save money on kits and accessories, too. www.statesllc.com [S.T.A.T.E.S. provides US warranty, free shipping on kits and no sales tax except in South Carolina]

George
 
I leave my Tormek T7 graded coarse with their SiC Blackstone and use it most often to reshape a tip as to not burn it. Most of my sharpening is with slower speed belt sanders and fast hands.

The blackstone is a PITA to true or grade. I have a love hate thing with it. Love how it works and hate to maintenance it. The regular stones are a piece of cake.
 
Spideyjg said:
I leave my Tormek T7 graded coarse with their SiC Blackstone and use it most often to reshape a tip as to not burn it. Most of my sharpening is with slower speed belt sanders and fast hands.

The blackstone is a PITA to true or grade. I have a love hate thing with it. Love how it works and hate to maintenance it. The regular stones are a piece of cake.
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Wish I could afford a slow speed sander with all the fancy attachments. Anyway would you recommend the Tormek for knife and tool sharpening? I know your belt sander is way faster. I’ve got a 1X30 but it’s not slow hahahahaha! Just find it takes off a lot of metal and you really gotta watch the heat.
 
It has a valued place but not the only piece. Changing stones would be a pain. They are too expensive to drop.

My 1x42 is made by Viel and runs 1700 rpm not 3600.
 
Spideyjg said:
It has a valued place but not the only piece. Changing stones would be a pain. They are too expensive to drop.

My 1x42 is made by Viel and runs 1700 rpm not 3600.
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I was not familiar with the Veil 1x42. I may be putting the breaks on getting. Tormek or other sharpening system. I’ve got a 1x30 that runs screaming fast. It works but it really does remove to much metal. I looked at all the accessories they make for it and I’m kinda impressed. I may purchase the Veil S5 and work with that a while before making any other purchases. I’ll keep the 1x30 and set it aside as a back up. Or use the Veil for setting the angle ect then the 1x30 to strop. Humm.
 
Research the available belts I have a leather 1X42 belt for stropping. Changing belts takes seconds.

The main shop I have a 2X72 because damn near any belt will be available as a 2X72, not so much on 1X42. I have to use 3 sources to get my preferred sets
 
Spideyjg said:
The blackstone is a PITA to true or grade. I have a love hate thing with it. Love how it works and hate to maintenance it. The regular stones are a piece of cake.
Click to expand...

I find the TT50 works well for truing (be it a bit slow, since mine is not motorized yet), and for grading i use either a fine Chinese diamond plate or a coarse Chinese diamond file clamped in the SE-76 Square Edge jig.
Works much better & faster than the SP-650 grading stone.
 
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