Thinking about an Edge Pro, but,

SC_Dave

SC_Dave

Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
187
I don't have any experience with them and would like to hear from those who do please.

Also, Why do I feel like I am cheating on my free-hand skill. Why do I feel like I'm taking a short cut if I sharpen this way. Is this blasphemy? Do I need an intervention. ;)
David
 
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I don't have an EP so cannot comment on that.

However, you should not feel bad about "cheating". I got a Wicked Edge. I used to free hand for years and years and I got pretty good. I enjoyed sharpening so much I over sharpened a couple old knives free hand. I get just as much enjoyment from the WE. I also get enjoyment from using knives sharpened on a guided system because the edge refinement, sharpness and consistency cannot be beat.
 
SC_Dave said:
I don't have any experience with them and would like to hear from those who do please.
I
Also, Why do I feel like I am cheating on my free-hand skill. Why do I feel like I'm taking a short cut if I sharpen this way. Is this blasphemy? Do I need an intervention. :confused:
David
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Check out user sadden on here. He uses the edge pro and his user profile shows all his posts about it. As for the other comment, I use a guided system and have a personal opinion that I've never shared on here for fear of being labeled a spouter of blasphemy. When it comes to angle guided sharpening, I relate it to my background in carpentry. My opinion is, no matter how good I am with a circular saw, a table saw will cut a straighter line. That's because it's guided and human error is lessened. However, many claim freehand is more satisfying and that may well be true.
 
Why do you want to switch from freehand?
 
Honestly, I just bought a similar style sharpener from an auction site for $20. I figure that is cheap enough to see if I like the style or not. I can't freehand for crap, except for convex blades, and for the low investment cost, this is a good way to see if I would like it.
 
Jason B. said:
Why do you want to switch from freehand?
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Honestly Jason I really don't know that I do..... I am attracted to precision machines regardless of what they are or do and the EP looks like it is very precise and we'll made.
David
 
I like Ryan J's comparison. (circular saw vs. a table saw.) Guided sharpening is more precise. Being able to freehand is a nice skill to have to complement an existing guide system, esp. when the need arises. For everyday sharpening, an Edge Pro or Wicked Edge can't be beaten. Just my opinion.
 
Buy the clone from that auction site and a couple real EP stones, and give it a shot. If you like it, get the real thing!
 
I got the cheaper one too. The trick is to use almost no pressure on the finishing stones. I was able to get shaving sharp on my second attempt :)
 
chrisk91 said:
Buy the clone from that auction site and a couple real EP stones, and give it a shot. If you like it, get the real thing!
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Do this. I think it's a fantastic system. I can get a decent edge freehand, but, using my apex clone my edges are orders of magnitude sharper even using the junk stones it comes with. I'm ordering a DMT F/EEF and a set of the stock EP stones shortly and I imagine my edges will get even better. When my clone breaks (going on 30 knives or so now and still in great shape) I'll probably splurge and buy the EP Professional.
 
venemous said:
Do this. I think it's a fantastic system. I can get a decent edge freehand, but, using my apex clone my edges are orders of magnitude sharper even using the junk stones it comes with. I'm ordering a DMT F/EEF and a set of the stock EP stones shortly and I imagine my edges will get even better. When my clone breaks (going on 30 knives or so now and still in great shape) I'll probably splurge and buy the EP Professional.
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venemous, if you buy the EPP you will not be sorry.
 
Theres no reason you cant do both. As we all know, the EPA offers awesome precision and repeatability. Personally, ive never owned a knife that i was 100% happy with the factory edge that came on it. The Edge Pro allows me to erase the manuacturers' sad excuse for a bevel and create my own to the exact dimensions i want. Some knives i may want a thicker edge (which is rare), or i can make a much thinner edge (99% of the time). And i know that i can keep that angle constant from choil to tip without a lot of variance like you find in factory knives.

Once the knife has that perfect, mirrored edge, doesnt mean i have to setup the machine and run through the entire process again every time the knife starts to loose a bit of that perfect sharpness. The first half dozen times i detect a loss in sharpness i just strop with diamond spray. This is usually the same size i use fpr my finish stropping on the EPA. (For me, i only go to .5 micron) Eventually more blunting will occur so the next step when i get more blunting than the strop can restore, I will usually make about a dozen p.p.s on a spyderco fine ceramic slip stone. This works great for about a half doz. more times and eventually more metal removal is needed. This is where I use a stone. I might make 30 or 40 passes per side on either a 8000 g. waterstone or my favorite is the fine ceramic side of the fallkniven diamond/ceramin benchstone. Then, after i have gone through this whole progression 3 or 4 times, i might slap the knife back on the EPA and start over from tbe lower grits (500 shapton) . These hand sharpening steps are way easier and faster than using the EPA every time you want a touch-up. A lot of times its just easier to hand sharpen. The EPA is a fantastic tool but hand/stone sharpening will always have its place.
 
I went freehand to EP, and have gone back to freehand. I enjoy it more, and besides, as I'm getting more into waterstones these days I think its more economical (though perhaps not cheaper) to get full sized stones.
 
The EP motivated me to learn sharpening, but now that I'm getting better at freehand sharpening I hardly use the EP any more.
 
I have an EP and I think it's great for getting a very precise edge, but I think it's a bit of a hassle to work with it. The suctions cups on the Apex don't stick to anything except glass or something smooth like that and it's not like it's any less work or less messy compared to sharpening freehand. It's just very precise, once you get the hang of it. I prefer stones though and you can create just as sharp edges with them. But, it's all in the wrist.
 
Just used my clone with the crap stones it came with, and my junk china kitchen knife has a pretty hellacious edge now. I like this system for the $20 total I paid for it, and could see investing in a few real stones for it now.

Really useful for re-profiling, which is why I bought it. I just need to find my darn protractor now, because I don't trust their angles.
 
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