Should I buy a wicked edge?

N

NWangler

Joined
Aug 31, 2015
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Hello, I've been using a work sharp for a while now it works great and all, but no matter how carefull I am I keep rounding the tip. So I'm thinking about a Wiked edge system how do you guys like em? Thanks!


Jack
 
You won't regret buying it after you learn to use it. I will make your knives look professionally sharpened. The WE is expensive, but you get what you pay for.
 
From what I hear, they work perfectly. I'm just not sure it's a good path to shell out $300 rather than learn to use the perfectly good sharpener you already have. It's not tough, you simply lift the handle of your knife so that the very tip is on the belt about halfway before lifting it off. The idea is to avoid having the belt flex around the tip. You might find that easier if you remove the guide.
 
This is bladeforums. Of course you should buy every expensive thing that can possibly come to your mind, and then you should buy things that people recommend that you don't even want.

However, you could consider sharpening everything UP to the tip, and then handsharpen/freehand/guided method the tip itself.

But I'm not going to tell you not to buy it.

Zero
 
Well you can round the tip with a WEPS if you're not careful. The WEPS is a good system, but it's got its quirks you have to figure out just like with any system. If you want things to be perfect, you'll need an angle cube.
 
NWangler said:
how does it work on fillet or boning knives?
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It works ok. You have to use the little stabilizer rod it comes with to keep the tip portion steady. If I had a couple dozen fillet knives and sharpened them often, or if the primary reason I was buying a sharpening system was to sharpen fillet knives, I might would lean Edge Pro and sharpen it in sections.
 
I can't speak for the WEPS, but I have a KME sharpener and love it. I generally consider it half a WEPS or a beefed up lansky. It and its accessories are cheaper (by half or better), but it's probably not as fast as the WEPS. I don't mind spending more time on it as sharpening knives is kind of like meditating/getting away from everybody time. When I feel that I have gone as far as I can go with the KME and the WEPS offers capabilities the KME doesn't, I'll consider going to the WEPS.
 
I'm with darks. I have the KME and it works great for me. I can get very sharp edge in a decent amount of time. WEPS is probably faster but I too enjoy the sharpening process. For the money id go KME again. If I had money to burn then I would go with the WE.
 
Thanks guys, one more question planning on buying the basic kit for 299$ what results will that give me without the leather strops? Thanks

Jack
 
NWangler said:
Thanks guys, one more question planning on buying the basic kit for 299$ what results will that give me without the leather strops? Thanks

Jack
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The 600 grit edge, after the diamonds are broken in is a perfect hair popping toothy edc edge.
 
I was debating about buying either an Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge sharpening system but I just couldn't justify the price considering how few knives I have to sharpen. I ended up buying the Chinese version of the Edge Pro and it works pretty well and gave me an idea of how the Edge Pro would work. Looking at the videos of the two systems it appears to me that the Wicked Edge might give more repeatability and accuracy on the honing angles.

I have a Lansky and there is a lot of slop in the angle guide slots which makes it easy to get off on the honing angles. I have never used the KME but from what I have seen it would better than the Lansky at maintaining the honing angles but still it looks to me like there could be some slop in the system. With the Edge Pro you have to hold the blade flat against the plate and it is easy to let the blade tilt again creating a problem maintaining the proper honing angle. The Wicked Edge looks like it has a much more secure way to hold the blades and the system seems to have a much better guide which would give better control.

One problem I see with the Lansky, KME, and WEPS systems is sharpening a knife with a thin blade, thin from spine to edge. With a small, thin bladed knife when you clamp the blade the stones have a tendency to ride on the clamp and never touch the blade. That is not a problem with the Edge Pro, however, it is very difficult to hold a small thin blade on the plate and keep it flat while sharpening. None of the systems are perfect and each has it quirks. I would love to have the WEPS, as I see that system as the one that will give the most consistent results, but personally I can't see spending that much on a sharpening system for the few knives I will sharpen.
 
Joe_N said:
I was debating about buying either an Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge sharpening system but I just couldn't justify the price considering how few knives I have to sharpen. I ended up buying the Chinese version of the Edge Pro and it works pretty well and gave me an idea of how the Edge Pro would work. Looking at the videos of the two systems it appears to me that the Wicked Edge might give more repeatability and accuracy on the honing angles.

I have a Lansky and there is a lot of slop in the angle guide slots which makes it easy to get off on the honing angles. I have never used the KME but from what I have seen it would better than the Lansky at maintaining the honing angles but still it looks to me like there could be some slop in the system. With the Edge Pro you have to hold the blade flat against the plate and it is easy to let the blade tilt again creating a problem maintaining the proper honing angle. The Wicked Edge looks like it has a much more secure way to hold the blades and the system seems to have a much better guide which would give better control.

One problem I see with the Lansky, KME, and WEPS systems is sharpening a knife with a thin blade, thin from spine to edge. With a small, thin bladed knife when you clamp the blade the stones have a tendency to ride on the clamp and never touch the blade. That is not a problem with the Edge Pro, however, it is very difficult to hold a small thin blade on the plate and keep it flat while sharpening. None of the systems are perfect and each has it quirks. I would love to have the WEPS, as I see that system as the one that will give the most consistent results, but personally I can't see spending that much on a sharpening system for the few knives I will sharpen.
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You mean small knives like this? ;D This one I did around 20 dps but could have certainly gotten it down to 15 or so.

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The Tormek small knife jig is very nice for small knives like this, or ones that the blade shape is so weird the WEPS clamp has a hard time w/ it...

i-LvS5vdb-X2.jpg
 
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I did not know they made an attachment like that. Seeing that WEPS has the ability to easily sharpen a narrow blade sure make it look like the best all around sharpener. Now do any of the other sharpening systems make similar attachments or do other companys make similar attachments for the other sharpening systems?
 
I do know that trying to sharp a small, narrow blade on an Edge Pro is a very frustrating experience. I've done several on the WEPS with no problem.
 
One thing I always say in these types of discussions is A: You really do get what you pay for, B: yes it does have its limitations, but its up to the user to weigh out how its limitations impact your usage and needs for it...and C: the WEPS system (all generations) much like the KME or Apex, have the advantages over cheaper systems in 2 regards....the repeat-ability of any previously sharpened knife after notes were taken on the bevel angle marked on the system (in my case the WEPS Gen 3), then your angle cube readings, then your blade depth, and blade positioning. After all of those are inputted, a touch up is EXACT to what it was prior to it being removed from the clamp. In my experience, thats where the cheaper systems really show their short comings. And in my opinion, that where I can justify the expense.

Hope that helps ;)
 
I have a weps. Make to document the settings for every knife you do. Makes repeatability much easier
 
Joe_N said:
I did not know they made an attachment like that. Seeing that WEPS has the ability to easily sharpen a narrow blade sure make it look like the best all around sharpener. Now do any of the other sharpening systems make similar attachments or do other companys make similar attachments for the other sharpening systems?
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Not sure if you caught it... but the small knife jig is actually made for the Tormek... but works nicely in the WE.
 
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