Wicked Edge Owners....

Yes the rod will fit in that hole at a 90 degree angle and the slot in the end of it will catch the edge of your knife blade toward the end and stabilize side to side wobbling.

Leo
 
One of their online dealers has 3M lapping tape, aluminum oxide honing strips or whatever you want to call them. They go from 9 micron to .3 micron. They also have kits with all of the tapes I mentioned along with handle blanks to use them with. I'm thinking about getting them. Does anyone have any experience with this type of material?
 
Yes I have used a variety of the 3M PSA tape grits on blank paddles. They sharpen and polish very aggressively and give a mirror-like finish to the edge. Highly recommended to get closer to that finish many of us lust after. I bought a sample kit from another dealer with a selection of 2 types from 15 microns on down to .3 microns.

Leo
 
Had my granite guy cut some scrap and drill some holes... Much better than a cutting board. Makes this thing feel like an integral part of my desk.

77bc7237.jpg
 
Yes!!! Now you're talking! I felt the same way when I got my granite base...a kind of solidity that makes using the rig a pleasure. Nice base you got there!

Cheers
Leo
 
I find that one of the things I am enjoying about my WEPS set-up is the ease at which I experiment and continue to refine my edges but do so with an almost scientific methodology. What I mean is; when I used to sharpen with other methods some days I would end up with acceptable results and other days (same knives same system) I'd end up with amazing results and because I did not know what I had done differently - I did not know how to duplicate the exact same or avoid the exact same.
With the WEPS (often times after reading here) I get an idea on something I want to try like; Take a knife and reprofile to 30* inclusive - polish to a mirror finish and then strop at 40* a micro-bevel.
BUT I might have gotten this idea in three separate parts over the span of several days.
Not a problem. I can re-load the knife at precisely the same position and re-enter the process at whatever step I desire and execute on my idea while noting the results.
I have probably done so with my Acies at least 7-8 different sessions all building on a series of steps that I have noted pertain to this particular knife.
The knife has responded differently to each step but what is great is I know I could take my buddies Acies and get it to exactly where mine is by going back and only doing the steps (in order) that I recorded from my WEPS sessions.
I could not do that with other sharpening methods I have used. I would be back to the "Good Day/Bad Day" sharpening results IMO.
I believe this is a bonus. Not only sharp knives but as I have said before, almost a sub-hobby to the Knife Hobby.
Pretty Cool:cool:
 
with just the basic set... should I be able to get knifes to cut paper easily??? I'm having a hard time achieving this basic feat... :-/
 
I can almost assure you that the problem lies in the first important step...raising a burr on each side for the first sharpening...this is a must...no burrs,no razor sharp edge. Also you may be using too much pressure, or both of the above. The only other thing would be that you have a misaligned rig but that is unlikely.
Go back over the steps following the instructions closely and using one of your better knives...you will succeed.

Cheers
Leo
 
centex99 said:
with just the basic set... should I be able to get knifes to cut paper easily??? I'm having a hard time achieving this basic feat... :-/
Click to expand...

I sort of had this problem at first (with just the basic set) but then I discovered I didn't spend enough time profiling the edge with the 100 grit.

With the WEPS they (correctly) advise you to basically start with the 100 grit for any knife you are doing for the first time with it. My problem was, I didn't stay there long enough. With my 100 grit, on all of my blades, I am able to get an EXTREMELY toothy/grabby edge. Like it actually almost sticks to your finger when you run it across.

After that point I move up in grit to just refine and polish the edge.

I did go with the upgraded stones, ceramics, and strops... but I can assure you that you can get a paper cutting edge with nothing higher than the 600 grit.
 
Ok.... will definately try again and keep practicing... I did have a burr... but maybe it wasn't enough of a burr... I did make sure though that it went the entire length of the blade and wasn't just in spots...
 
The magic if you will with the WEPS is in the finesse. The equipment is sound, the concept is sound, the ability to repeat is there. Unfortunately that means you can repeat everything to include the mistakes.
If it weren't for this discussion I would not have truly realized the importance of three(3) things;
- Light touch
- The real importance of initial burr formation
- Spend more time in each phase (don't race to the finish)
I believe the basic system is quite adequate. I purchased all of the accessory steps and I would not give them up. Everyone who has all the pieces obviously also has the basic set-up so I routinely stop for a moment at the end of 600 and test my results. I would have no complaint if I were to stop there BUT it is really fun to go past all the way to the strops. I actually think the ceramics may be my favorite.
The one thing that happened to me and it was not mentioned anywhere in directions is, make sure your Left side vise upright is securely tightened. When you have a knife clamped in the vise everything should feel vault like.
 
rubiconss said:
The magic if you will with the WEPS is in the finesse. The equipment is sound, the concept is sound, the ability to repeat is there. Unfortunately that means you can repeat everything to include the mistakes.
If it weren't for this discussion I would not have truly realized the importance of three(3) things;
- Light touch
- The real importance of initial burr formation
- Spend more time in each phase (don't race to the finish)
I believe the basic system is quite adequate. I purchased all of the accessory steps and I would not give them up. Everyone who has all the pieces obviously also has the basic set-up so I routinely stop for a moment at the end of 600 and test my results. I would have no complaint if I were to stop there BUT it is really fun to go past all the way to the strops. I actually think the ceramics may be my favorite.
The one thing that happened to me and it was not mentioned anywhere in directions is, make sure your Left side vise upright is securely tightened. When you have a knife clamped in the vise everything should feel vault like.
Click to expand...

Ditto for me Scott! A light touch, a well formed burr on each side and careful lapping with the hones is essential. And yes, mistakes are also repeatable! LOL! Wisdom Scott!
As for the last point, be sure the knife is secure and the vise is gripping well. I have found that placing the knife correctly and then tighteni the first screw fairly snug, then go to the second screw and do it up tight...finally after checking to see if the knife has been solidly secured, you can go back and put a little more torque on the first screw if you feel like a little more is called for. When everything is just right, you should get the feelings that you could hoist the whole rig into the air by the clamped knife. :D

Best to all
Leo
 
For those of you who have a Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener and have always wanted the ultimate water stones used by the professionals to develop the keenest possible edge, the time has arrived...the Naniwa Chosera stones from Jende Industries in Taiwan, 400/600 grit paddles are now available from Clay, with more grits soon to come.
Also Clay has added some excellent Cubic Boron and Diamond sprays ranging through .125, .050 and .025 microns.
Looks like the WEPS has made a quantum leap and now is a tool that can be used from a guy like me to keep a collection sharp, right up to the professional chef whose super knives need the very best edge available. When I bought my WEPS, I thought nothing could get better than this...I was slightly off! LOL!
Now to get me a set of Naniwa Chosera stones

Best to all
Leo
P..S.
The more I think about it, the more I know the WEPS was great from the beginning and could sharpen excellent edges in the real world...now somehow it has added more dimensions to itself from the point of view of more people. For me it rubs elbows with the EP at its highest level. No more, nudge, nudge, wink, wink from the Pros! For this old guy it was tops right from the start, but I am going to go on with experimentation using the Naniwa Choseras and the Shaptons which are coming, not because I have to but because I want to do it...I am that kind of guy! :D
 
Last edited:
leomitch said:
For those of you who have a Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener and have always wanted the ultimate water stones used by the professionals to develop the keenest possible edge, the time has arrived...the Naniwa Chosera stones from Jende Industries in Taiwan, 400/600 grit paddles are now available from Clay, with more grits soon to come.
Also Clay has added some excellent Cubic Boron and Diamond sprays ranging through .125, .050 and .025 microns.
Looks like the WEPS has made a quantum leap and now is a tool that can be used from a guy like me to keep a collection sharp, right up to the professional chef whose super knives need the very best edge available. When I bought my WEPS, I thought nothing could get better than this...I was slightly off! LOL!
Now to get me a set of Naniwa Chosera stones

Best to all
Leo
P..S.
The more I think about it, the more I know the WEPS was great from the beginning and could sharpen excellent edges in the real world...now somehow it has added more dimensions to itself from the point of view of more people. For me it rubs elbows with the EP at its highest level. No more, nudge, nudge, wink, wink from the Pros! For this old guy it was tops right from the start, but I am going to go on with experimentation using the Naniwa Choseras and the Shaptons which are coming, not because I have to but because I want to do it...I am that kind of guy! :D
Click to expand...

Ditto, Ibbit and Obsit Leo - I can identify with that and why not. Life is too short to not enjoy the simple things and IF one enjoys sharpening this is exciting news. I read all the threads about sharpening and what edge is best and how best to separate electrons from the core of an atom.
How about a nice little sharpening station a cold beer and some Led Zeppelin playing while sharpening your knife to a "Holy Crap" edge....or in this case a "Wicked Edge" Buoyee!
The only thing that has made my 40+ year knife hobby better was setting up my WEPS in my workshop in its own place, the frig is about 3 feet away, the radio is there too, just set up the magnifying light - ALL ready anythime I want to go down and touch up an already sharp knife OR reprofile a new arrival or an old dog that needs a new trick edge. Fun and relaxing and honestly I never pay much attention to whether it ends up toothy or polished or if I am about to rewrite a Law of Physics but I do know that I end up with a scarey sharp knife that I did with the help of my WEPS and hpefully if I haven't had too much beer I even end up not bleeding occasionally;)
 
rubiconss said:
Ditto, Ibbit and Obsit Leo - I can identify with that and why not. Life is too short to not enjoy the simple things and IF one enjoys sharpening this is exciting news. I read all the threads about sharpening and what edge is best and how best to separate electrons from the core of an atom.
How about a nice little sharpening station a cold beer and some Led Zeppelin playing while sharpening your knife to a "Holy Crap" edge....or in this case a "Wicked Edge" Buoyee!
The only thing that has made my 40+ year knife hobby better was setting up my WEPS in my workshop in its own place, the frig is about 3 feet away, the radio is there too, just set up the magnifying light - ALL ready anythime I want to go down and touch up an already sharp knife OR reprofile a new arrival or an old dog that needs a new trick edge. Fun and relaxing and honestly I never pay much attention to whether it ends up toothy or polished or if I am about to rewrite a Law of Physics but I do know that I end up with a scarey sharp knife that I did with the help of my WEPS and hpefully if I haven't had too much beer I even end up not bleeding occasionally;)
Click to expand...

Ditto, Ibbit and Obsit! Either you wrote a lot of essays at some time, you were perhaps a Latin student or you are a lawyer! C'mon! 'fess up!
Youngster, I am more liable to be listening to the Four Freshmen and perhaps Clarinetist Allan Vache playing some good jazz. However beer is a good drink, but in the heat of the summer I prefer gin and tonic and during thunder-storms a good single malt scotch like Lagavulan or Laphroig (when I want something raw and peaty).
BTW in addition to grits 400/600. Clay has now added 800/1000 grit Chosera water stones...let me check lest he has added another...whoops, he has also added some balsa strops now! As I said earlier, nothing would surprise me today!

Later
Leo
 
Sorry if this was already covered, but is 30 degrees inclusive the lowest you can achieve, or the lowest that is actually marked. I only need a couple of degrees lower than 30 to be happy.
 
Nosetotail said:
Sorry if this was already covered, but is 30 degrees inclusive the lowest you can achieve, or the lowest that is actually marked. I only need a couple of degrees lower than 30 to be happy.
Click to expand...

Depends on how wide your blade is. Wider chef's knives can go a good bit lower than 30 degrees, yet narrower blades won't be able to go too much less than 30. I have found that I need to routinely check the tightness of the thumb screws as they tend to loosen up with use. It can cause you to change your angle without knowing it. I imagine this will be even more of an issue if you try to use the WE at a setting that isn't marked, as the marked spots have an indention in the side so the screw sets in it to help hold it in place. Also, going less than the 15 degree mark will make it hard to get consistent results each time unless you mark the area.
 
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