Using the WEPS with a FFG blade

T

Talley1013

Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
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Hey guys. I have been looking into getting a Wicked Edge. While I absolutely love to freehand sharpen with bench stones, I am thinking that the WEPS might be a good addition the my sharpening arsenal. I dont think I could ever turn my back on the quest for that perfect looking freehand bevel but it would be nice to have the ability to create it with the Wicked Edge. My question is about using the system with full flat grind blades. It seems like I remember it being mentioned in a video I saw that you could insert something between the blade and the clamp to keep the blade perfectly vertical. For those of you that have the Wicked Edge, how does it work with ffg blades? Is it a pita to get the blade perfectly vertical without having 2 parallel faces to clamp to?

Thanks for the help
ET
 
did I say something wrong? I know that with my old lansky it really doesnt work if the blade isn't saber ground with 2 parallel surfaces. I assume this isn't a problem with the wicked edge because I haven't read anything about it but I wanted to check with you guys that have experience with the rig just to make sure.
 
Talley1013 said:
did I say something wrong? I know that with my old lansky it really doesnt work if the blade isn't saber ground with 2 parallel surfaces. I assume this isn't a problem with the wicked edge because I haven't read anything about it but I wanted to check with you guys that have experience with the rig just to make sure.
Click to expand...

I have several FFG blades and while my WEPS has been here for about a day...my Wife has already called the police and filed one missing person report, called all my family and friends to convene something the email said was called an "Intervention":eek: sounds painful.
She has hidden my nose hair clippers. So, I have tried some of my FFG's I guess I'm saying.
I have not loaded my precious Acies yet but only because it is already a laser.
I am however feverishly searching for things to cut. My oldest is still crying and texting his friends - I told him "It WILL grow back" What a baby.

When I load the FFG. I tweak the clamp so it is approx the correct width of the spine first.
Put the blade in (shallow depth pocket knives, deepest depth kitchen knives).
I hold the blade visually vertical perpendicular to the depth gauge and snug up the top screw. You then get a pretty good idea by viewing the gap on each side of the blade to tell if the blade is staying centered. If not, unsnug and reposition the blade vertically and resnug.
Now, snug the bottom screw and you are good to go.
No Problemo Elmo !. (That is what I loudly proclaim at this point which has contributed to my wifes concern over my mental state)
That is my story thus far and I'm sticking to it (until it changes)
:)
 
Talley1013 said:
did I say something wrong? I know that with my old lansky it really doesnt work if the blade isn't saber ground with 2 parallel surfaces. I assume this isn't a problem with the wicked edge because I haven't read anything about it but I wanted to check with you guys that have experience with the rig just to make sure.
Click to expand...

The Lansky will work with FFG blades. When you think about it, the majority of knives out there don't have sides that are perfectly parallel to one another (such as with the upper portion of a sabre-grind blade). There's almost always going to be some taper (spine to edge).

Something that helps is to replace the stock screws with some longer ones, which will give the back end of the clamp some more range (angle) for clamping to thicker, FFG grind blades. The main thing about the clamp is, the two sides need to be flush with the sides of the blade. They don't have to be parallel to each other to work (such as would be the case on a sabre grind). So long as the 'angle' of the clamp is symmetrical between each side, it'll work fine. I've sharpened a lot of FFG blades with my Lansky. No issues. The toughest blades to fit to the clamp are high, hollow grinds (blade sides are concave). In those cases, I've clamped to the tang/ricasso to make it work.
 
Last edited:
rubiconss said:
I have several FFG blades and while my WEPS has been here for about a day...my Wife has already called the police and filed one missing person report, called all my family and friends to convene something the email said was called an "Intervention":eek: sounds painful.
She has hidden my nose hair clippers. So, I have tried some of my FFG's I guess I'm saying.
I have not loaded my precious Acies yet but only because it is already a laser.
I am however feverishly searching for things to cut. My oldest is still crying and texting his friends - I told him "It WILL grow back" What a baby.

When I load the FFG. I tweak the clamp so it is approx the correct width of the spine first.
Put the blade in (shallow depth pocket knives, deepest depth kitchen knives).
I hold the blade visually vertical perpendicular to the depth gauge and snug up the top screw. You then get a pretty good idea by viewing the gap on each side of the blade to tell if the blade is staying centered. If not, unsnug and reposition the blade vertically and resnug.
Now, snug the bottom screw and you are good to go.
No Problemo Elmo !. (That is what I loudly proclaim at this point which has contributed to my wifes concern over my mental state)
That is my story thus far and I'm sticking to it (until it changes)
:)
Click to expand...


Rubi is quite right, if a little around the bend with happiness over having the WEPS in his hands now.
Here is a video that might also help from Clay's site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE85Gavbbww&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

And it woiks!

Cheers
Leo
 
Just for you Talley - Loaded my baby into the WEPS. My Acies from A.G. Russell FFG blade was already sharp but...... I took one for the team.
I will PM my address so you can send gifts!

I loaded it exactly the way I described to your earlier.
I went through ALL the steels and ceramics AND broke out my strops (ALL 4 levels) after receiving remedial help from several good Forum members I was able to figure the order of micron attack (massage actually)
If I was a member in higher standing I would post pics.
Suffice it to say the Acies is laser sharp and has a mirror edge on her bevels.
Narcissus couldn't be happier.
 
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