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Which sharpening system?

P

Phartie

Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
2
I am fairly new to the knife game. I have a few spyderco knives ( delica 4, manix 2xl, military) that I have spend some decent money on. I now am in the market for a sharpening system and could use some help. I have looked at Wicked edge, Edge Pro, and KME, from what i have seen in videos seems the wicked edge is best. I was hoping to get some feed back from some knife nuts before i shell out $275.


Thanks for your help
 
Why not just a few stones and a bit of practice?
 
I was going through this decision making a few years back. I bought the Edge Pro, and I really like it. However, I agree 1013 and think that you should just get the stones and start to practice. I have since bought Shapton stones, and they are what I use most of the time. I find sharpening with stones to be relaxing and rewarding.
 
Have to agree with the above. Spend a fraction of the upfront money and buy a couple of cheap kitchen knives to practice on. The selection of potential stones is massive, I'd start with an inexpensive combination stone from the hardware store, or go all out with a Norton Crystalon or India stone - both about $20.

I also make a sharpening block through the link in my signature below, that is freehand but with a tactile feedback boost - also makes it very easy to do all phases of sharpening from coarse through fine. Am technically out of stock at the moment but will have more just as soon as the varnish dries. The sale thread has plenty of video content that is applicable to many freehand methods.

Knifenut1013 also has some quality videos on youtube under "Mr Edgy" that are well worth watching. Check out any Murray Carter videos you come across as well. There are many good guided systems, but eventually you will be drawn to freehand anyway, might as well start there.

Martin
 
As others have suggested try your hand at free hand sharpening with some stones like heavyhanded recommended and some cheap knives and you be surprise what you can do with a bit of practice. Free hand sharpening is just far more versatile over the guided setups being the biggest advantage in my opinion.
 
Forget the manual sharpening, save yourself $120, and buy a Ken Onion Work Sharp. It's a belt grinder the size of a rechargeable handheld drill with adjustable speeds & adjustable angle guides. Comes with 5 belts ranging from 80 grit to 6000, and its the single fastest and easiest sharpener I've ever used. I'm fairly good at freehand sharpening on stones, but I doubt I'll ever touch the stones again unless I can't find an outlet. The Work Sharp is fun :D
 
Be a man. Learn how to sharpen your knife with a stone. It's a hard to learn but once you get it, it's a very valuable skill and very rewarding. ...you also can take that $250+ you were going to waste on a fancy do it for you city boy knife sharpener and get yourself a knife instead.

Here's a great short article on sharpening your own knives with stones. I encourage everyone to read it.
Field and Stream: A Knife Expert on How to Really Sharpen a Blade
 
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I say if you can sharpen freehand go for it. And if you want to learn to sharpen free hand that is great - go for it. A lot of folks either don't have the time or patience to build the muscle memory and then practice to keep it refined or they just don't have the ability no matter how hard they work at it. I'm in that camp, tried and tried to sharpen on stones, took classes etc and still can't predictably make things sharp freehand. Because of this I basically gave up on knives when I was younger, why bother. Get a nice knife, use it and then it ends up in a drawer - what use is a tool you don't even want to take out of the drawer or your pocket 'cause it frustrates you? Guided systems, Lansky in particular brought me back to knives and got me to get rid of my disposables.

So my answer if you are interested in a guided system is the same - go for it.

I'd say between the systems you mention a lot of it comes down to preference of how to work - clamp or not. How much angle range you are hoping for - Edge Pro has the most out to the box, Wicked Edge is about the same though you can never get to 0 with a clamping system, and KME is a little less still. And the type of hones you prefer - Wicked Edge comes only with diamonds as a starter as Clay likes Diamond hones, Edge Pro is whetstones as Ben doesn't like Diamonds except for ceramic knives, and KME offers either. I've worked with guided systems from DMT, Lansky, Gatco, Eze-Lap, KME, Edge Pro and Wicked Edge and with any you are gonna dependably get something sharp. KME is adding more and more capabilities to extend its range and capabilities as is Wicked Edge while Edge Pro is pretty settled.

Wicked Edge's handle design makes it hard to hit the very back section of the heel of the blade on a lot of Spydercos but there are work arounds. No trouble with either Edge Pro or KME with this.

Most folks go beyond the basic kit with Wicked Edge - the few that stay at 600 diamonds as the finest grit are the exception mainly I think because diamonds are so aggressive so take into consideration that you are probably going to spend more on the system. And whenever you add to the Wicked Edge you are buying 2 hones in 2 grits every time so each addition is more expensive - on the flip side you only use each hone half as much as if you were buying one and using it on both sides of the knife.

Worksharp is also a great system that we looked into carrying. Lots of folks are challenged with making tips look nice on it but with practice it isn't an issue. Gotta have a plug and belts do remove more metal more quickly. I like the Ken Onion version too for ease of use and guides to help with controlling your angle.

Good luck!
 
Picked up some sift and hard Arkansas. Love them to death. Some people say they are too slow, but the edge is just pristine.
Also just grabbed some Japanese whetstones for my katanas. They are great for polishing.
I don't think I'll ever go to the "sharpening systems"
I know many work well, but with blades, I feel more thorough when going traditional freehand.
 
Thank you all for your info. Looks like I have a lot of research/work to do. Just want to say I am glad the knife community is very knowledgeable and nice(no flaming). Thanks again
 
I'm in the group that learned to sharpen freehand then moved to guided systems.

For at least 25-30 years I never had anything other that a few stones and a bunch of knives. I had no difficulty putting on a clean and even bevel that was sharp enough to tree-top hair. I know that I 'can' sharpen freehand.

As a youngster I spent a lot of time sleeping on the ground. As an adult in Asia I spent a lot of time sleeping on the floor. I know that I 'can' sleep on the ground. I also know I 'prefer' to sleep in a bed.

My goal is a perfectly (and quickly) sharpened knife, not a contest with myself. I use guided systems now, and have for the past 25-30 years.
I can still freehand if 'needed,' but I never seem to need...

I keep a Sharpmaker set up in the kitchen for weekly touch-ups
I use a DMT Aligner for portability and for sharpening at times when I don't have a table to use
I use EdgePro 2-3 times a year to sharpen all my 'user' knives

Sharpmaker -fastest to set up and easiest to learn to use, but limited in angle choice
RazorEdge - smallest, adjustable, but wears out after several years usage, can be used with stones or sandpaper
DMT Aligner - cheapest, several different angles, lightest weight (for backpacking) can be used with stones or sandpaper
GATCO/Lansky - adjustable angles but must be used with their own stones
EdgePro - the Benchmark by which most others are judged. Infinitely adjustable, easy to learn, good choice of stones, but expensive
WickedEdge - very expensive, a bit more difficult to use on very long blades, but excellent results

Obviously there are many others, but this may give you a general idea.


Stitchawl
 
Free hand is the most fun, but if you wish...the Edge Pro Apex is awesome for cranking out sharp blades.
If you are like me, you get tremendous satisfaction from sharp blades. That means you'll be happy with anything.
Edge Pro for instant gratification...freehand wet stones for a lifetime of sweet blades.
 
rmbonham said:
The wicked edge will be the best investment you ever make...
Click to expand...

+1 I totally agree. I bought a Pro Pack I and could not be happier. I find the stones that come with this enough to handle everything but getting a mirrored edge easily. To get the mirror, buy some cheap auto sandpaper and tape to the 1000 diamond stones and you are set. While maybe not as enjoyable as free hand sharpening I find it to be fast, accurate, flexible and repeatable -- all of which are good things for me when it comes to sharpening.

No matter which way you go to buy some cheap knives to practice with and in the case of some stones give them time to break in.

Welcome and good luck!
 
dzlvs8 said:
Be a man. Learn how to sharpen your knife with a stone. It's a hard to learn but once you get it, it's a very valuable skill and very rewarding. ...you also can take that $250+ you were going to waste on a fancy do it for you city boy knife sharpener and get yourself a knife instead.

Here's a great short article on sharpening your own knives with stones. I encourage everyone to read it.
Field and Stream: A Knife Expert on How to Really Sharpen a Blade
Click to expand...

And how, exactly does freehand sharpening make one a man??? That's a very curious statement. By your reasoning, would making a knife with a file be more "manly" than using a belt grinder??? I suppose that you must hunt with a spear, because using a rifle would make you a "city boy?"

To the OP, if you want a moderately priced, precision sharpening tool, get an Edge-Pro. You can start with the basic APEX kit, and if you discover that you want even more speed and precision, you can add aftermarket parts that will allow you to turn your Bowie Knife into a straight razor.
 
Work Sharp...thats all you need .. i started with stones ,then sharpmaker , even the edgepro,,sold all of them ,,now use the Work Sharp ,,
 
Ben Dover said:
And how, exactly does freehand sharpening make one a man??? That's a very curious statement. By your reasoning, would making a knife with a file be more "manly" than using a belt grinder??? I suppose that you must hunt with a spear, because using a rifle would make you a "city boy?"
Click to expand...

Trust me. You aren't a man until you freefoot on lunar waterstones mined by the Aztecs while doing a handstand in a cave blindfolded.
 
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