TSPROF KO3 or KO4?

[Silent Communicator]

Are the KO3 or KO4 the best fixed angle sharpeners? I have freehanded for decades but have recently felt like trying out a high quality fixed angle sharpener. Is this the best brand or should I be looking somewhere else?

 

[Nala]

I’m no pro, and run a KME sharpener that I really like. My question is why you would want a Russian product of all things? Honest question.

 

[Skane24]

Are the KO3 or KO4 the best fixed angle sharpeners? I have freehanded for decades but have recently felt like trying out a high quality fixed angle sharpener. Is this the best brand or should I be looking somewhere else?

I can't say whether they are the best fixed angle sharpeners, however, I have experience with the K03, and I recently purchased the K4, however I have not had a chance to use it yet.

I am also an owner of both the original KME and the KME precision control plus, and while the KME are great products, they aren't necessarily on the same level or price point as the TSProfs.

I would say that the K03 is a great system and it's built like an absolute tank. the K4 has several features that I feel will be useful/nice creature comforts but it is hard to justify the jump in price. As for it being a Russian product, would I love if it was made in America? Absolutely, but it isn't, however it still is a great system imo.

I used the KME for quite a while, and it was a great system, but not as robust/had more play in the clamps etc. I purchased the KME precision control plus, and while it was somewhat improved, still felt a little improvised or flimsy etc, but definitely better.

There is also the wicked edge, the edge pro, and a number of others, I haven't ever had a chance to own or use them though.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I’m no pro, and run a KME sharpener that I really like. My question is why you would want a Russian product of all things? Honest question.

I absolute get that point! In response I'd just point out that just as not all Americans support Donnie not all Americans support Putin. The TSProf stuff is all incredibly over-engineered and fantastically well made. I've not seen the K04 in person but it looks like an incredible system. I've got a TSProf Pioneer and a Chinese copy of the Kadet, both designs are great but of course the actual TSProf machine is better made.

 

[Tensaw]

I can't say whether they are the best fixed angle sharpeners, however, I have experience with the K03, and I recently purchased the K4, however I have not had a chance to use it yet.

I am also an owner of both the original KME and the KME precision control plus, and while the KME are great products, they aren't necessarily on the same level or price point as the TSProfs.

I would say that the K03 is a great system and it's built like an absolute tank. the K4 has several features that I feel will be useful/nice creature comforts but it is hard to justify the jump in price. As for it being a Russian product, would I love if it was made in America? Absolutely, but it isn't, however it still is a great system imo.

I used the KME for quite a while, and it was a great system, but not as robust/had more play in the clamps etc. I purchased the KME precision control plus, and while it was somewhat improved, still felt a little improvised or flimsy etc, but definitely better.

There is also the wicked edge, the edge pro, and a number of others, I haven't ever had a chance to own or use them though.

I also used a KME before getting a K03 and totally agree with your post. I would be interested in hearing how you think the K4 compares to the K03, once you've used it.

 

[Silent Communicator]

I’m no pro, and run a KME sharpener that I really like. My question is why you would want a Russian product of all things? Honest question.

I don't want this to be a political thread. I guess you could ask the same question to anyone posting or buying a Shirogorov knife, or any knife made in China. As both countries definitely have anti-Western interests. I can tell you that my entire knife collection is 100% American made specifically for that reason. As are my flashlights. (Except the three Olights I bought 9 years ago that refuse to die lol). I buy Malkoff, Elzetta and used to buy Surefire. Modlite would be a good option if they could run off primary cells for when the power is out for a long time. Think a war with China. I understand geopolitics very well. I don't like funding the enemies. However, the real threat is China, "IF" we don't go nuclear soon, which is definitely a possibility. Anyway, I guess I've addressed this well enough, and hope it can stay on topic or I will just lock the thread. I'm not here for politics or arguments. I'm just looking for a top of the line fixed angle sharpening system. Thanks guys!
Malkoff's great lights!

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I’m no pro, and run a KME sharpener that I really like. My question is why you would want a Russian product of all things? Honest question.

Have we All stopped buying titanium handled knives....?

Where's That from

 

[jjg6319]

I got my sharpener a long time ago and at the time Edge Pro was a good one to get. It is made in the US and you can look at their products if you like. Their latest model is the Beveltech rather than the professional when I got mine. I later bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker due to how quickly and easy it is for touch up. There are many choices today for sharpeners.

 

[Silent Communicator]

I got my sharpener a long time ago and at the time Edge Pro was a good one to get. It is made in the US and you can look at their products if you like. Their latest model is the Beveltech rather than the professional when I got mine. I later bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker due to how quickly and easy it is for touch up. There are many choices today for sharpeners.

Thanks I will definitely check them out!

 

[Rufus1949]

I really enjoy the ease and consistency of my k04. The multitude of stones is a bonus.

I also had a kadet that was very good too.

 

[Skane24]

I really enjoy the ease and consistency of my k04. The multitude of stones is a bonus.

I also had a kadet that was very good too.

Out of curiosity what stones do you have/what ones are your favorite? I have tried a good bit of diamond stones, but never resin bonded stones, but do quite love traditional waterstones like the naniwas on the tsprof K03, still have yet to get a chance to try the K04, gotta wait until some house construction is finished.

 

[Rufus1949]

Out of curiosity what stones do you have/what ones are your favorite? I have tried a good bit of diamond stones, but never resin bonded stones, but do quite love traditional waterstones like the naniwas on the tsprof K03, still have yet to get a chance to try the K04, gotta wait until some house construction is finished.

Hi
I have
Boride cs-hd. 150 to 1200
Chosera 1000-3000
Edge pro diamond 250-4000
And a few speciality stones from all over. ie Washita

Bob

I use the edge pro for my better knives. Followed by a good strop on k04.

 

[GreX]

Just curious what folks are referencing with the K04? I assume folks are talking about the new K4? I have the K03 and its amazing, don't see enough of a difference to "upgrade" to the K4, but wondering what the in use benefit is? It's another $400, plus there are no vendors in the US that sell it yet, so another $150 for shipping - again, very curious what the benefit of the K4 is? And yes, I have watched their marketing videos, looked at product overviews/specs, just don't see it - I'm also not a professional sharpener, maybe sharpen one knife a week.

 

[Rob Babcock]

The K4 does have some unique features, one of the most interesting being the ability to remove the arm while leaving the knife clamped, allowing perfect repeatability when remounting it.

 

[Rufus1949]

Just curious what folks are referencing with the K04? I assume folks are talking about the new K4? I have the K03 and its amazing, don't see enough of a difference to "upgrade" to the K4, but wondering what the in use benefit is? It's another $400, plus there are no vendors in the US that sell it yet, so another $150 for shipping - again, very curious what the benefit of the K4 is? And yes, I have watched their marketing videos, looked at product overviews/specs, just don't see it - I'm also not a professional sharpener, maybe sharpen one knife a week.

It seems you can upgrade the older models at a reasonable price. No need to buy newer model.

 

[GreX]

The K4 does have some unique features, one of the most interesting being the ability to remove the arm while leaving the knife clamped, allowing perfect repeatability when remounting it.

I haven't ever removed the knife from the clamps/sharpener once I start sharpening, when would this be useful? Would that be if you were using a combination of bench stones/strops with the fixed angle system?

 

[777 Edge]

The K4 is high quality, well made and a great system but in all honesty it does exactly the same job, with the same repeatability and accuracy as the K03. Either system would be a solid choice.

 

[Skane24]

The main things I really liked about the K4 that lead to me buying it was that their is a stone thickness compensator, and being able to adjust the angle by 0.01 per click on the adjustment wheel. Taking the entire like clamp assembly off probably isn't something I will do much, but maybe it could be useful if taking it off to go examine under a microscope or something. Looking forward to testing out the quick clamps though, also picked up the quick fillet clamps.

Realistically, did I need to upgrade to the K4 from the K03? Definitely not, but, I couldn't resist.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I haven't ever removed the knife from the clamps/sharpener once I start sharpening, when would this be useful? Would that be if you were using a combination of bench stones/strops with the fixed angle system?

To test the edge, to move the knife to a microscope/magnifier, to safely store the knife if you need to pause in the sharpening, to strop backside if doing a single bevel knife, etc. These may not be things that come up all the time for everyone but I think it's a cool feature. I'm not sure if the K4 has a chisel adapter/holder but it would be especially nice to be able to deburr the back side of a chisel and repeatably return it to the jig.

 

[Tensaw]

I haven't ever removed the knife from the clamps/sharpener once I start sharpening, when would this be useful? Would that be if you were using a combination of bench stones/strops with the fixed angle system?

I started with a KME which is basically a hand held jig. At times I would take it, with a knife in the clamp, outside to view the edge under natural light. Since I can't do this with the K03, I had to get innovative with lighting.