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What sharpener to buy

A

ABladeaddict

Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
41
I can't decide the 2 options that seem most popular are the edge pro and wicked edge please help and five all your opinions thanks
 
marcinek said:
Sharpmaker for vee grinds. And a wet/dry/substrate set up for convex.
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I already have the sharpmaker and don't like it to much I want something where it takes human error out of it and I alos want something that has the capability of putting a mirror polish on my edge
 
The worksharp is a great product and does a fantastic job. The newer Ken Onion models has a.few.more attachments that add to the levels of finish attainable. I love mine, that plus a good strop keeps my arms.pretty much hairless
 
jfk1110 said:
The worksharp is a great product and does a fantastic job. The newer Ken Onion models has a.few.more attachments that add to the levels of finish attainable. I love mine, that plus a good strop keeps my arms.pretty much hairless
Click to expand...

Agreed, the Worksharp KO with the blade grinder attachment is pretty awesome for blades of all sizes.
 
The Wicked Edge system is incredibly good. You can get even grinds and fast removal of metal for reprofiling. Plus, there are a lot of accessories to take you to whatever level you want. Stropping is easier, too, because the system holds the strop at the correct angle, so all you need is very light pressure to refine your edge.

The Edge Pro is good, too. But I prefer the Wicked Edge.
 
If you can afford it, I also have to recommend the wicked edge. It's not cheap but you won't ever have to buy another system unless you just feel like it. I have always enjoyed sharpening my knives but getting good, consistent results is just flat out fun and satisfying and with the wicked edge good, consistent results are much easier IMO.
 
If your goal is to take human error out of the sharpening process as much as possible, it is easier to accomplish with the Wicked Edge.
 
ABladeaddict said:
I already have the sharpmaker and don't like it to much I want something where it takes human error out of it and I alos want something that has the capability of putting a mirror polish on my edge
Click to expand...

I would suggest ponying up the cash for the WE system then. There can still be human error though since the blade can be hard to put back in exactly the same position in the clamp.
 
im also getting ready to drop some serious dough on a sharpener.
Ive narrowed my choices to an Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge also.

Can the Wicked Edge sharpen curved blades like a kerambit style knife?

The Wicked Edge just seems like a high dollar Lansky to me...
 
heefageLA said:
im also getting ready to drop some serious dough on a sharpener.
Ive narrowed my choices to an Edge Pro or a Wicked Edge also.

Can the Wicked Edge sharpen curved blades like a kerambit style knife?

The Wicked Edge just seems like a high dollar Lansky to me...
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Wicked Edge has some rounded stones for curved edges, but the grits are limited.

Wicked Edge is certainly more expensive than a Lansky -- and a Lansky will do the job on typical edges -- but the WE is much, much better.
 
The WE is very $$. But it's worth it. I love my Wicked Edge. The diamonds will cut any steel.
 
Just about to pull the trigger and get the Wicked Edge.

However, it occurs to me that the WorkSharp can, and W E can't, put a true, curved, convex edge on the blade. That simply would be due to the flexibility of the belts.

Am I missing something?
 
The Burgh said:
Just about to pull the trigger and get the Wicked Edge.

However, it occurs to me that the WorkSharp can, and W E can't, put a true, curved, convex edge on the blade. That simply would be due to the flexibility of the belts.

Am I missing something?
Click to expand...


You can put a convex edge on a blade with the Wicked Edge, but it takes more work. You can also use it to put on a micro-bevel or to knock off the edge shoulders.

The WorkSharp will put a convex edge on the blade, but what kind of convex edge you get depends on where you place the edge on the belt and other factors. The whole convex vs V edge debate is greatly overblown. Both convex and V edges can do whatever you need the edge to do, and in most cases the difference between them is all but nonexistent.

The WorkSharp is going to be a lot faster, but the Wicked Edge will allow you to put on a much better edge. I use both systems. I generally save the WorkSharp for machetes and such, as well as for repairing damage. My EDCs and good knives all get the Wicked Edge.
 
Twindog said:
You can put a convex edge on a blade with the Wicked Edge, but it takes more work. You can also use it to put on a micro-bevel or to knock off the edge shoulders.

The WorkSharp will put a convex edge on the blade, but what kind of convex edge you get depends on where you place the edge on the belt and other factors. The whole convex vs V edge debate is greatly overblown. Both convex and V edges can do whatever you need the edge to do, and in most cases the difference between them is all but nonexistent.

The WorkSharp is going to be a lot faster, but the Wicked Edge will allow you to put on a much better edge. I use both systems. I generally save the WorkSharp for machetes and such, as well as for repairing damage. My EDCs and good knives all get the Wicked Edge.
Click to expand...

Terrific answer, and you anticipated my next questions.

In the past day, came to the conclusion that "the right tool for the right job" - W E for most handheld knives + WS for larger tools and "mandatory" convex edges.

Glad to hear that angle vs. convex sharpening is a hollow debate (as I had hoped).

Thanks Twindog!
 
I've had the WE for years and used it to sharpen a few knives. The main problem I had with it was that it takes a long time to sharpen a knife. Additionally, I don't like the knife blade pointing up at me. I nearly cut off the tip of my finger once when I slipped while sharpening a chef's knife (8" blade). I also didn't like the fact that I was relying on a mechanical device that cost a fortune to do something I had no excuse to not be able to do free hand. So I bit the bullet and bought the stones and strop recommended by jdavis888 and began to sharpen free-hand, per directions of his and other youtube videos.

At first, I was not very good, but not horrible either. Eventually, with practice (i.e. sharpening all the knives owned by family members and some of their friends), I got pretty good. Not only is it way more rewarding and fun, but it takes way less time to set up and complete the process...or at least it seems to. I have not used my WE in years, nor do I feel the need to. I am actually thinking about selling it.

My advice: learn to sharpen free-hand. Seriously. Youtube is a great resource to learn how. While my blades may not be super-scientifically exact in angles under a microscope, they cut every bit as good as any I sharpened on the WE. And I never have to worry about the blade tip geometry, nor about cutting my finger tips off. I actually like sharpening knives now, whereas I never enjoyed doing it on the WE.

Finally, although the WE is good for what it is, it is way overpriced in my opinion as well. I see all of their updates and I am relieved that I don't feel the need to pony up the cash to get them (even though I did once). My stones and strop should last me a life time.
 
seedman said:
I've had the WE for years and used it to sharpen a few knives. The main problem I had with it was that it takes a long time to sharpen a knife. Additionally, I don't like the knife blade pointing up at me. I nearly cut off the tip of my finger once when I slipped while sharpening a chef's knife (8" blade). I also didn't like the fact that I was relying on a mechanical device that cost a fortune to do something I had no excuse to not be able to do free hand. So I bit the bullet and bought the stones and strop recommended by jdavis888 and began to sharpen free-hand, per directions of his and other youtube videos.

At first, I was not very good, but not horrible either. Eventually, with practice (i.e. sharpening all the knives owned by family members and some of their friends), I got pretty good. Not only is it way more rewarding and fun, but it takes way less time to set up and complete the process...or at least it seems to. I have not used my WE in years, nor do I feel the need to. I am actually thinking about selling it.

My advice: learn to sharpen free-hand. Seriously. Youtube is a great resource to learn how. While my blades may not be super-scientifically exact in angles under a microscope, they cut every bit as good as any I sharpened on the WE. And I never have to worry about the blade tip geometry, nor about cutting my finger tips off. I actually like sharpening knives now, whereas I never enjoyed doing it on the WE.

Finally, although the WE is good for what it is, it is way overpriced in my opinion as well. I see all of their updates and I am relieved that I don't feel the need to pony up the cash to get them (even though I did once). My stones and strop should last me a life time.
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+1 ^^^^^ I would take the time to learn on a stone. I used a lansky for years and got great results. But then it dawned on me that I could only sharpen a knife well if I had some contraption with me. That does not work well when backpacking or canoe camping in the middle of nowhere. I bought stones and practiced and can now get the same results or better than I ever did with all the rods, clamps, etc.
 
Some of the top knife makers in the world use wicked edge to sharpen their knives. I don't sell $50k knives but I sharpen quite a bit. If producing a polished edge on your own knives I think WE is the answer.
 
jfk1110 said:
The worksharp is a great product and does a fantastic job. The newer Ken Onion models has a.few.more attachments that add to the levels of finish attainable. I love mine, that plus a good strop keeps my arms.pretty much hairless
Click to expand...

JFK I find that Worksharp (I use mine with ken onion blade grinder attachment) wants to overly convex 'super steels" such as S-110v, S90v etc. Even with very light pressure the abrasive doesn't cut the steel too well and wants to flex around and eat away at the edge = too convex.

With VG-10, 154 etc it does just fine. Anyone have a similar experience?
 
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