Recommendation? Sharpening...

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Adam Fischer

Adam Fischer

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Hey all!

So that time has come and I need to get some edges back on these bad boys. I have little experience sharpening other than using my work sharp.

I also grabbed a good strop yesterday but was looking at the Wicked Edge Holiday set and thought if the knives were worth tens of thousands then shouldn’t I at least be willing to spend $350 to keep them razor sharp?

I would love to hear some opinions on what and how you guys use to get hair popping edges on your Infi blades.

Money isn’t that big an issue but I won’t spend $1200 on their biggest set

Thanks!
 
Have had some experience with the Wicked Edge system recently at Blade West... man, are they nice! Thinking of the Holiday set as well for the same reason...
 
I have a wicked edge. They are great for reprofiling and if you want an extremely polished finish. The system takes some learning. I have found that a simple butcher steel rod works pretty good on both SR-101 and INFI when just maintaining an edge under normal circumstances.

Not trying to dissuade from WE, as I love mine and they are great systems. Be sure to check the model of WE to ensure it will accommodate Busse blade widths.
 
I’m really just looking for something to maintain the angle as I don’t trust myself...
 
I'm in the same boat as you, OP. Good luck in your search.

I've also been considering the Wicked Edge, along with the TSProf system. Every option has it's pros and cons. What I'm most concerned about would be finding a system that best handles longer and thicker blades.
 
I just sold my WE Pro Pack II. It's a great system but it took forever, especially if any reprofiling was required on larger knives. I plan to get an AMK-75 at the recommendation of a friend. Also, some pretty high profile knifemakers use the system and have good things to say.

 
I have a Wicked Edge. Very easy to get a perfect edge. I bought the set that came with 100,200,400,600,1000 grit stones. I bought a set of leather strops for it using 1mc and .5 mc diamond paste. When I get the edge to the 1000 grit I switch two wet dry sand paper going 1200,1500,2000 and 2500 before going to the strops. This is way cheaper that buying the ceramic stones and you can use new paper anytime you want. I just wrap it tightly over the 1000 grit stones and hold it on with my finger tips as I sharpen.
There are a few tricks to it. Say if you are setting the angle at 20,set the left side at 20 and move the right side out as many degrees as the blade is thick. Most folders this will be 20 left side and 21 right side. Busse blades between .18 to about .25 I move the right side out 2 degrees more than the left. This makes up for the vice only moving on one side. When you are done and go to the strops move the angle in 1 degree on each side,this keeps the strops from dulling the edge slightly from the leather being softer and folding over the edge.
There are some great vids on youtube showing these little tricks to a much better edge.
 
It is not once you do one or two. You don't have too do this but these little tricks do make for a fantastic edge. The WE people sharpened a knife for me at Blade when I bought mine and they didn't do all that and it was still an amazing edge.Convinced me to buy one.
It is the truth that if you stop at about the 600 grit level the edge is already much sharper than most factory edges.
 
I would recommend buying the base to mount it to. I looked at it and though I can make my own. I did make mine from two oak boards on top of one another to get a good weight. It was harder to do than I had in my head.
 
This is all of my set up. I can get really outstanding edges in no time even on these super steel folders. I keep a book with my knives listed so I remember what angle is on each knife. After I sharpen one through all the grits the first time I have not had to repeat the process,to touch up I just set the angle for the knife and start at 1000 if fairly dull or 1500 if not to touch up the edge. To touch one up takes me 5 to 10 min max.
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I also have a WE and love it! I use it on a variety of knives ranging from my TGLB, NMFBM, and a Sebenza. Like all sharpening systems, it has a learning curve. However, once you get familiar with it the WE can produce some incredible edges. I also like the fact that resharpening can be easily done by replicating the angle and blade placement when it was originally reproflied.
 
I'll add in another vote for the Wicked Edge system. I'm a mediocre freehand sharpener and had only used the Lansky system previously with any success. Unfortunately, the set angles in the Lansky leaves a lot to be desired. I purchased the WE about 5 years ago and absolutely love it. I've never had edges even close to the quality that I can get now. It's a very easy and intuitive system. One thing to note is that due to the different thickness, the angles on the WE may not reflect the true angle of the sharpening. Buy a digital angle cube to solve this issue.

The only downside of the WE is that it's not as quick as other systems such as the Work Sharp (Ken Onion Edition). I use the Worksharp for all of my kitchen knives since I'm not as worried about rounding edges. Since it's a powered system, it's very easy to mess up a blade. So I don't use it on my nicer knives.
 
I have a Wicked Edge
I have a mouse pad, sand paper, and duct tape.
I have several strops
I use my mouse pad and strops,
I don't use my Wicked Edge anymore.
Not to discredit the WE...it works great, but takes a long time and you must check angles all the time for perfection...IMO.
 
The Wicked Edge Gen 3 can keep the angle steady even on big blades, you do not have to reclamp. I think the pro pack II does so as well.
 
I use a KME and have been happy with the performance the only down side is it can be a pain to sharpen longer larger blades. Did purchase the axe sharpening accessory and will be experimenting with it the next time the Battle Mistress needs a sharpening.
 
You cant really beat the efficiency of a belt driven system but the wicked edge is the best stone style sharpener. Since it can literally do anything from pocket knives to, as said above a bigass nmfbm :D. Took awhile to get my 60 degree or higher factory angled tglb down to a 20/20 but it was worth it. Was the most dull "well it would tear but not cut or slice paper" blade ive ever gotten from shop.
 
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