Wicked Edge or not?

Hairlesstwinkie

Hairlesstwinkie

Joined
Feb 4, 2013
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I'm thinking about getting a Wicked Edge since my Lansky guide system is as accurate as dollar tree compass. I'm having trouble sharpening blades greater than 6" on the Lansky in addition to not getting the right angles. Sharpmaker is not really good for large fixed blades either. However, I do have a belt sander, but I'm not very good at it. I got a belt sander because I was going to try my luck at making knives at some point. I have yet to get a knife sharp on it, so I just switch back to the Lansky. I think most makers use their belt sanders to sharpen knives, so I think similar results can be achieved with belt sander. However, the portability of the Wicked Edge is quite appealing since I'm not always at my shop. I don't want to sharpen my more delicate knives on a belt sander either. So get a Wicked Edge or not? Or look into another system?
 
I have had the WE system for ~6 months now and love it. I used a few cheap knives to get the hang of it and it is fantastic! If you are going to be reprofiling much I would definitely get the 50/80 stones as the 100/200 takes a while. If you want to get a highly polished edge I also like the ceramics. It is a high cost up front but I don't see much of anything wearing out except maybe the leather strops. I say go for it!
 
Personally, I think the expense of a wicked edge is prohibitive. I can get my edges sharp enough to whittle hairs on bench stones and strops. I can also get a mirror polish that way. So for me, no need to spend all the money on the WE and stones. Also, I get a lot more satisfaction out of free-hand sharpening than by using a guided system. I've always felt like it's a crutch.

That being said, if you don't care about those things, the WE definitely gets good results.

Why do you feel like the sharpmaker doesn't work for fixed blades?
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
I'm thinking about getting a Wicked Edge since my Lansky guide system is as accurate as dollar tree compass. I'm having trouble sharpening blades greater than 6" on the Lansky in addition to not getting the right angles. Sharpmaker is not really good for large fixed blades either. However, I do have a belt sander, but I'm not very good at it. I got a belt sander because I was going to try my luck at making knives at some point. I have yet to get a knife sharp on it, so I just switch back to the Lansky. I think most makers use their belt sanders to sharpen knives, so I think similar results can be achieved with belt sander. However, the portability of the Wicked Edge is quite appealing since I'm not always at my shop. I don't want to sharpen my more delicate knives on a belt sander either. So get a Wicked Edge or not? Or look into another system?
Click to expand...
Unless you get the Field & Sport WE, the standard WE is not really portable if you attach it to a granite or other heavy base.

If you have a 1X30 belt sander, you might want to try this http://www.amazon.com/Surgi-Sharp-Universal-Angle-Guide-SS10/dp/B00IUPMWEY
 
The WE is worth every penny! I was sharpening like a pro on the first knife. It doesn't matter what package you start with because in a years time you will end up owning them all lol...
 
Yes the WE is spendy. Yes I completely think it's worth it. I have had mine for about 2 weeks. It is very fast to sharpen knives from a very dull state to very, very sharp. I did a rope cut test on M4 and M390 yesterday. I got the knives dull enough that they wouldn't cleanly slice paper. This is M390 and M4, hard, abrasion resistant steel. Had them back to popping sharp in under 10 minutes. Once you get your edges at the profile you want, it's very fast. I have used most everything out there, and the WE is fantastic. Not the only good system, but my personal favorite for sure.
 
First off, I want to say up front that I think the WE is a great system. I'm not against spending good money for good tools either. But the WE is just out of my price tolerance for what you end up with. I would make a wholehearted recommendation that you check out the KME sharpening system. A lot less $, and plenty good results, a lot less for additional stones as well BTW. http://www.kmesharp.com/
 
Hairlesstwinkie,
Master you belt sander. Practice on cheap knives until you get proficient. I have the Edge pro and almost any other type of system out there. I prefer the Kalamazoo Belt Grinder over the rest for price and quality. My edges are as good or better then the Edge pro in less then 1/10 the time.
Regards,
Ron
 
I love my wicked edge. It was an expensive initial investment but it is built really well and should last a lifetime. I would be more worried about them going out of business and no longer selling stones before my WE broke.
 
Can a WE sharpen large fixed blades like Busse TGLB? That's part of the problem that I'm running into. The thick stocks can't fit between the clamp.

What's the width limitations on the KME? I do like the look of the system and the price tag compared to the WE.

On the angle guide for the sander, is there one available for 2" belts?
 
Over time most addicts spend a ridiculous amount of money on their knives so a few hundred bucks invested to be able to do killer repeatable edges is a drop in the bucket (IMO).
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
Can a WE sharpen large fixed blades like Busse TGLB? That's part of the problem that I'm running into. The thick stocks can't fit between the clamp.

What's the width limitations on the KME? I do like the look of the system and the price tag compared to the WE.

On the angle guide for the sander, is there one available for 2" belts?
Click to expand...

KME will do this

12944751864_711b6d76aa_c.jpg
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
Can a WE sharpen large fixed blades like Busse TGLB? That's part of the problem that I'm running into. The thick stocks can't fit between the clamp.
Click to expand...

The clamp with the stock screws open up around 1/4"... W.E. will send you longer screws if you need (or just grab them at the local hardware store).
 
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