What are your thoughts on sharpeners?

I have been free hand sharpening most of my life and can get a mean edge on a knife using that method. But the results from a wicked edge or edge pro are better. Free hand I can keep the angle pretty consistent. The sharpening systems keep the angle just about perfect and I recommend them for that reason.

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This thing looks like a 1950s garage physics experiment, but it works great! It is much heavier duty than the more widely know harbor freight version. I also like it because the rpms are 1725 which is slower (most run about 3000) than other 1in belt sanders and therefore it does not generate as much heat on the blade. Absolutely shaving sharp results. Belts are available in all grits down to leather strops.

http://www.amazon.com/Kalamazoo-Sander-Motor-Contact-Wheel/dp/B000REJM3K
 
I have a Wicked Edge and a Kalamazoo 1SM, and have had an Edge Pro, Lansky, and numerous other bench stones. I have to say, if I was starting over, I'd save myself a ton of money by just buying a Kalamazoo to begin with. The guided systems are nice, but you can't beat the speed of the belts, and because I don't have to spend an hour on the stones to fix damage, I use my knives more. The guided systems do make nice edges, but I'll take fast and sharp over slow and sharp any day.
 
resinguy said:
? What kit for $80?
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Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Power Platform, 9 pc. Abrasive Belt Kit (3) P80 Coarse (3) P220 Medium (3) 6000 Fine, (1) 20° Kitchen Knife Sharpening Guide, (1) 25° Outdoor Knife Guide (includes Serrated Knife Guide and Scissor Guide), (1) Retractable Honing Rod, (1) Nylon Carry Bag, User's Guide, Instructional DVD.

It's $60+shipping+tax
 
Tyrade83 said:
I have a Wicked Edge and a Kalamazoo 1SM, and have had an Edge Pro, Lansky, and numerous other bench stones. I have to say, if I was starting over, I'd save myself a ton of money by just buying a Kalamazoo to begin with. The guided systems are nice, but you can't beat the speed of the belts, and because I don't have to spend an hour on the stones to fix damage, I use my knives more. The guided systems do make nice edges, but I'll take fast and sharp over slow and sharp any day.
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The Work Sharp is a belt system, looks very compact, and has guides to ensure proper angle
 
I had a Work Sharp also. I found the small belts to not last very long. It worked alright though if space is an issue. I was able to get nice sharp edges with it, until I burned the motor out shaping scales :o
 
The KME sharp looks very good to me for a guided system. 150 for the diamond kit though.... I have been debating KME or belt sander.. never heard of the kalamazoo but it looks and sounds perfect. Its going on my Xmas wish list right now lmao.

For almost a year now I have made due with a strop. This one. Its great, and made for me by a member here named leethal cutlery. I have had NO issues getting shaving sharp edges on all my knives with just this. I have never sharpened Infi "YET" so im not sure the difficulty with it but i have no worries. I have sharpened Sr101 a bunch on this thing with excellent results. sure it takes a while, but its relaxing for me and I appreciate the results I get in the end.

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But Its about time I get me a real sharpener.... That Kalamazoo looks great, thanks for bringing it to my attention :)
 
Tyrade83 said:
I had a Work Sharp also. I found the small belts to not last very long. It worked alright though if space is an issue. I was able to get nice sharp edges with it, until I burned the motor out shaping scales :o
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You are cracking me up. Every time someone mentions a sharpening system you have tried it. You sir, must be a master of the craft. :thumbup:
 
Not as much as I'd like you to believe, really :o I am just always looking for the better mousetrap. And I tend to get all, "Look at the shiny thing!" and end up with another parcel at the door a few days later.
 
just ask yourself one question. If you sent your knife into a professional knife maker to sharpen it, what would they use. Answer: Belt grinder , they aren't going to be messing around with stones or guided kits.

Listen to Tyrade and learn from his trials.

There is still a place for bench stones, ceramic, whetstones, etc... for really thin and delicate knives (e.g., some japanese kitchen knives). But for everything else...go with the belts.
 
Cavalry_Scout said:
I have some blades with a recurve, are either of these more or less suited to handle that?
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I don't have anything too recurved, but I sharpened a Kershaw Outcast just fine. That's part of the beauty of the belts, they'll flex and hug a tight recurve (up to a point I'm sure).
 
As a professional chef, I was more proficient with stones than the vast majority of my peers. But once I discovered the convex method, I never looked back. After mastering convex sharpening by hand with a strop, I moved to a Harbor Freight belt sander. The learning curve wasn't too bad, although I did round a couple of tips.

Then I moved up to the Kalamazoo. Absolutely perfect piece of equipment for all sizes of blades. I often place a piece of leather against the platten (metal plate) for precise grinds, but that is the only modification I have needed.

Baldor motor, too.

Also, I love this compound:
http://www.amazon.com/Tormek-PA-70-Tor-PA70-Honing-Compound/dp/B00149DIBE

Just don't tell anyone ...
 
I am pro-sharpener What a man and his knife choose to do in their own home is nobody's business. :D

In all seriousness I use Diamond bench stones and hand sharpen then use a leather strop
 
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