Wicked Edge questions

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romad97

Joined
Nov 24, 2012
Messages
119
I am going to purchase a knife sharpener tonight or tommorow. I currently have several nice knives that are dulling and no way to sharpen them. I think I want a wicked edge. I can get a brand new one for $165. Its the base model that comes with the 100, 200, 400, and 600 stones. If I purchased this set, I would have enough money left for one more set of extra stones. Which ones would you suggest? Should I just do the 800 and 1000 or would you maybe do a set of ceramics or maybe a set of strops? Maybe that would be too big of a jump after the 600? I don't know when I would be able to afford any more stones so whatever I buy I will have to be happy with for a while. Lastly, for those of you who have used or own a WE. How difficult is it to get razor sharp edges with it?
 
Without doubt I would get the 800/1000 stones.

I think they should be included in the base model, as 600 is not adequate in my opinion.

You can always "tape" some higher grit sand paper to your stones also.
 
You will do fine with the 800/1000 stones to finish an excellent working edge. Shaving sharp and easy to attain if you work up a burr with the lower grit stone at first. Then refining with the higher grit stones is fairly easy. Great system.
 
From strictly a sharpness standpoint, will the 800-1000 stones actually make a knife sharper than what a 600 can do? Or is this mostly for a more polished edge? Excuse my ignorance, I am just trying to learn as much as I can about the basics of sharpening.
 
It will definitely give you a more polished edge, but I'm not sure you could tell the difference between the "sharpness" from the 600. Depends on how sharp you need your knives versus the extra cost of the 800-1000 stones. You can get hair popping sharp with a 400 grit stone if your technique is good. If the money is not an issue, get the extra stones.
Just my opinion by the way.

Blessings,

Omar
 
Hey romad97....

I recently did some testing with the MicroFine ceramics after the 600g stones. These did a great job of cleaning up the bevel and edge, and left a great edge on the knife with a noticeable improvement in sharpness. You'll get a bit of a mirror polish too if you're interested in that, although it won't totally eliminate the 600g scratches.

My 2nd choice, if you don't want the ceramics, would be a leather hone, probably the 14/10 set. It will do a good job of refining the edge off the 600g stone, although you're less likely to see a mirror polish.

I would save the 800/1000g stone for a later purchase, if you wanted to "fill in the gap" between either of the above choices. You'll get a better edge and bigger improvement of the edge from either of the above choices coming off the 600g stone, than you will just going to the 800/1000.

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks for all the replies, keep the info coming. My main concern is sharpness over polish. I want whatever combination will give razor results. If the 600 is all I need then I wont purchase anything else.
 
The micro-fine ceramics cost $120 are they twice as good as the 800/1000 at $65? ;)

Beware falling into the Wicked Edge upgrade trap, it's addictive. (and expensive)
Try your 600 before you decide, if your budget is that tight.
 
Billabong said:
The micro-fine ceramics cost $120 are they twice as good as the 800/1000 at $65? ;)
Click to expand...

They're 4.7 times better, so guess he should charge more! ;)
I'm aware of the greater expense of the ceramics, which is why I also suggested the leather as an option.

romad97 said:
Thanks for all the replies, keep the info coming. My main concern is sharpness over polish. I want whatever combination will give razor results. If the 600 is all I need then I wont purchase anything else.
Click to expand...

It depends on your definition of sharpness, and "razor results", as well as what you're cutting. If you read thru this forum, members sharpen and end at different levels of finish, based on their personal preference, how they cut, and what they cut. Defining that may get you a better answer. But you'll certainly get a great edge, even off the 600g stone. I personally think a little stropping will improve the edge even more.

Also, just so you know, the diamonds will wear or break in a bit, so the results you get will improve over time. You could try them, see if you're getting the results you want, and after a bit of use, decide if you want to refine the edge more, or if you're happy with the results.
 
cbwx34 said:
They're 4.7 times better, so guess he should charge more! ;)
I'm aware of the greater expense of the ceramics, which is why I also suggested the leather as an option.
Click to expand...

You also suggested the dearer of the two ceramics available.
It seems your job is in sales for Wicked Edge, you know all the prices, just making the OP aware is all.
I'm surprised you didn't suggest the Choseras. ;)

Why don't you do some tests using the 1200/1600 ceramics after the 600?
They need a boost in popularity.
 
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