Wicked Edge Tip sharpening and other concerns.

S

soapboxpreacher

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Apr 3, 2010
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Ok I ordered n Edge Pro Apex 4 and I will be sending it back (before I take it out of the box) for most of the knives I will be sharpening are small pocket folder with blades around 3". Most of those blades have thumb studs as well something I believe the table on the EP will make difficult to do or keep steady. It looks like thumbstuds and small knives are a challenge on the EP (I could be wrong). I have an army of Mini grips in D2, S30V, M390, 154CM...etc! I fear the EP will not work as well on these small blades which make up a big bulk of my knife collection along with a few more benchmades as well as my heavy use ZT0350...which is a ken onion recurve. I am sending it back because I believe the WE is going to be better for what I want to do (on a few BM I need to Rebevel, because BM cant seem to bevel well out of the factory!, and also just periodic sharpening and maintenance)...however...and this is big...Knife tips/point? I would think the EP would be a lot better doing tips then the WE. I could also see knocking the tip off with an WE would be a lot easier. I have a shapermaker and that is my biggest complaint is knocking the tip off. It is soooo easy to do! Can the WE fix a tip? Seems like the EP certainly can. And finally can I sharpen my Mora 2000 and 2010s on this (WE) with ease? They are thin and I believe the angle is low sub 15 degrees? I have some concerns about both systems it seems the WE is faster and cleaner. But doesnt store as well and needs a block to be mounted to. Not to mention the WE is at least 100 more when you factor in you do need more stones...600 is not fine enough...I find 1000 is ideal!

My take on sharpeners is this. Buy what suits your collection...what kind of knives you use and want to sharpen. I could be wrong but I think the WE and the EP excel in slightly different ways and certainly on different knives. Determining this is hard until you actually use each unit. I could be wrong but I dont think I am. I brough up concerns above that I believe factor in heavily. I do have to rant on this..I thinking buying an EP or WE for kitchen knives is foolish...just my opinion so easy on the flaming. For I feel a Sharpmaker is more than fine for this task and cheap! But for bigger (Outdoor knives), harder steel blades and even smaller pocket blades the EP and the WE start to come into play. I dont have a ton of blades over 7" so to me the WE seems to be a pretty good fit, this I ask of you guys for guidance here. I also need a sharpener that is ideal for pocket folders that have thumb studs. But tip maintenance is important as well. Let me know if the WE is going to suit my needs. I have already scoured the forums for answers and countless vs post but many dont get into detail especially in regards to thumbstuds. Let me know.
 
I use both quite extensively, actually. The thumb studs can be a BIT of a challenge in holding the blade smoothly on the table, but not one that would prevent you from getting an excellent edge. I think I have a slight preference for my EP when I'm going for super-fine edges, and my WEPS for speedier sharpening for working knives. The WEPS is about as fast as you can get without going up to a powered system, IMO. I've considered moving along my WEPS from time to time, mostly because my high-speed requirements are usually filled by a belt grinder, but I've always talked myself out of it again.

The WEPS *is* somewhat easier to use if the blade in question has large thumb studs, but keep in mind that you will still have to get the paddles past the studs. You might run into interference on BOTH systems if you are trying to profile to a shallow edge angle.

As for tips, they can BOTH roll a tip off very easily if you're not careful, especially with the coarser stones and plates, but if you are mindful as you approach the tip and don't let the paddle roll over the end, it's not a problem. :)
 
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The wicked edge is great at sharpening tips. In my experience I've had knives with slightly blunted tips and using the Wicked Edge was able to get back a very fine sharp point. When I'm putting a new bevel on my knife and using the 100 grit stone I use a scrubbing motion especially at the tip.
 
I actually have a new knife that just came in with a slightly blunted tip. Later today I'll take pictures of the before and after when I'm done sharpening it.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Thanks Komitadjie, how hard is it to do small 3" blades with thumbstuds on the EP?
Click to expand...

Not too bad at all, it's only when you get down into the little pen-knife blades that it gets particularly tricky. Usually, the problems I run into with small blades are more related to holding it at a consistent angle, since there is less surface to contact the table. If possible, I generally remove the thumb studs before sharpening anything by any method, just makes it easier. I really hate it when I goof and scuff the studs or something like that, especially on the belt grinder. Not so much of a problem on the WEPS/EP.

I'll have to see if I can find the thread, but there's a fellow who actually uses thin plastic to make "templates" to hold his blades in a precise position on the EP table from side to side, just for that added bit of precision.
 
snowreaper1 said:
I actually have a new knife that just came in with a slightly blunted tip. Later today I'll take pictures of the before and after when I'm done sharpening it.
Click to expand...

Awesome...I like forward to seeing those picture. I am pretty sold on the WE. It really seems ideal and easier. I will have to buck up and get the extra stones...800/1000 and some day the 1200/1600.
 
Yes, fine tips are absolutely no problem for the WE. Just keep your stones on the blade.
 
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