Work Sharp - anybody?

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DOC-CANADA

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Apr 14, 2006
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I am considering buying a Work Sharp and I am wondering if anybody on this forum has used one on either a BK3, 4 or 9, and what your thoughts are? Thanks in advance, Doc
 
Yep I got one.... I have used it on all my beckers. It is awesome you just have to be carefull not to dull the tip when sharpening... Follow the instructions and you won't have any issues. The edge i put on my bk2 still shaves hair after 6 months of shed use..it has done some batoning some feather sticks some chopping etc... Long story short get it and buy some extra bands and you'll be happy
 
perfect convexed edges with the original.

there's a new model or two, including one that's a mini wheeled slack belt...


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Love my Work Sharp and use it on all my Beckers, as others have said just follow the instructions and you should be good.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. Do any of you have the Ken Onion version, or should I stick with the original?

Doc
 
I got the original one for Christmas along with a BK9. I've noticed that there is more slack on the right side of the belt, so it can produce an uneven grind. It's a great tool, but not as easy as some might make you think. I still haven't been able to get a shaving edge on my Izula with it. Also be careful if your Beckers have the newer traction coating because the blade can stick a bit when pulling it through.
 
I have the original flavor, but if'n I were buying new, I'd get me the Onion flavor. Better belts, more adjustability on the angles...I like mine, but....well, the grass is always greener. Plus, there's a reason why Ken put his name on it. Still wanna practice on it with a knife you're not vested in, as there are a few quirks and such, but I think the Ken Onion model would be a solid investment. Don't throw away your strops, tho. Still no leather belts available AFAIK.
 
I have an original. The only blade I haven't been able to get shaving sharp with it is my BK7, but I was trying it without the guide and think I mis-judged it.
It does wonders on my 16 and 24, as well as my folders.
You do need to be careful, and edges won't be as perfect as someone with lots of practice freehand or with a guided stones system can get - but they are very functional, and very quick.
Scratched the sides of my WarDog when some shavings got trapped in the guide - it was too wide for them to work themselves out.
It still takes practice and patience - just a lot less of the latter to get a decent working edge.

I still use stones on my Japanese kitchen knives, and strops on just about everything.

When my current one burns out, I'll likely replace it with the KO version.
Highly recommended.
 
Doc, I've been on the look out for a Ken Onion Edition as well... looks like they're still not shipping to Canada. But I'll patiently wait. The KO looks like incredible added value over the Standard WorkSharp.
 
You can order them through Amazon... I was looking at prices for BK11's when I saw this thread and looked it up.

Does the worksharp work well on recurve blades?
 
I just ordered my Worksharp a couple of hours ago. Went with the original type, but the exclusive version sold from Cabela's. It comes with some extra belts, a storage bag, and it's green (wow!). Can't wait to put that thing to use. I've got some knives that I'm full expecting to get sharper than they were when I bought them.
 
I have one and I guess I'm gonna have to read the directions because I've rounded out a few of my tips.
 
TBL said:
You can order them through Amazon... I was looking at prices for BK11's when I saw this thread and looked it up.

Does the worksharp work well on recurve blades?
Click to expand...

On Amazon.ca? I looked there but didn't see any. If you found some, please post a link or email me. (primitive at sympatico dot ca)

Thanks. And thanks to all the people who replied. One of the reasons I prefer the Becker sub-forum to the others. :thumbup:

Doc

ETA, as far as recurved blades, I believe Bladite confirmed this, and if anybody should know, it's Mr. Machax. :D (yes, I'm envious :redface: )
 
I like my worksharp. I generally don't use teh guides these days. I have rounded a few tips here or there. Now if I'm careful I'm OK. If I had it to do over again I'd consider just getting a belt sander though.

For me the worksharp was a great tool in learning how to sharpen properly.... it's so fast that you can learn the subtleties of a good edge being formed very quickly, without the subtleties of doing it by hand.... one pass across the worksharp belt is equivalent to dozens of passes on a stone.

My advice, especially if you aren't an experienced sharpener, is to practice on the worksharp with a beater knife. THat way if you round the edge you can just repair it without seeing the reshaped point on your favorite knife and crying a little inside.... :-)
 
Thanks for the email, Tim.

Since I last posted, I did some more checking and found out that Work Sharp is available at Bass Pro (for all my Canadian brothers & sisters).

Doc
 
The biggest difference I've seen between the original WS and the Ken Onion version, aside from the adjustable guide is that the KO edition has a lot more grit choices in the belts. I was looking to get some more grit variety with my original WS and was a little bummed to find they only have the 3 grits (80, 220 and 6000) that come with the sharpener. I think the KO has a lot more intermediate grits available
 
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