- Joined
- Jul 23, 2015
- Messages
- 16,534
The Works Sharp is quite an effective tool. The belts they provide cut well, and last a fairly long time. I used the Work Sharp with the blade grinding attachment, after owning the original, and realizing very quickly that the guide was basically worthless to me. Once I stopped using the guide, and just went freehand on the original, my result improved, my sharpening time reduced, and my tips stayed pointy (it can be difficult to avoid rounding over the tip when using the original WS with the angle guide). Then when I got the Ken Onion edition with blade grinding attachment the results were just as good if not better, and sharpening time was reduced even further.
BUT: I will never own another Work Sharp belt grinder as long as I live, and here's why: Every single one of the four I have owned (including warranty replacements) failed in one way or another, either motors stopping, or essential plastic parts breaking rendering the unit useless. Darex provided replacement units with almost no questions asked, so I can't fault their commitment to customer service, but the product always died on me right around 1-2 years after receiving it. Every single one of them. Maybe I used them harder than most, but either way everything I used to do on my Work Sharp I now do with other tools, most notably my 2" x 42" belt grinder.
If you are thinking about the Work Sharp, and expect to use it often, or for extended periods, then maybe you'd be better off buying a 1" x 30" or 2" x 42", as these should be heavier duty, and both can be had for around the same price, if not just slightly more. If you expect to use it only once in a while, and not very hard, then maybe the Work Sharp could be the right choice for you after all.
BUT: I will never own another Work Sharp belt grinder as long as I live, and here's why: Every single one of the four I have owned (including warranty replacements) failed in one way or another, either motors stopping, or essential plastic parts breaking rendering the unit useless. Darex provided replacement units with almost no questions asked, so I can't fault their commitment to customer service, but the product always died on me right around 1-2 years after receiving it. Every single one of them. Maybe I used them harder than most, but either way everything I used to do on my Work Sharp I now do with other tools, most notably my 2" x 42" belt grinder.
If you are thinking about the Work Sharp, and expect to use it often, or for extended periods, then maybe you'd be better off buying a 1" x 30" or 2" x 42", as these should be heavier duty, and both can be had for around the same price, if not just slightly more. If you expect to use it only once in a while, and not very hard, then maybe the Work Sharp could be the right choice for you after all.