Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System - Thoughts?

This is a good system but I only had the basic unit. I soon found that I wanted more angle guides and an extra fine plate, so I would say the add-on kit is pretty much essential.

The only small negative I can think of is that I found I had to be careful not to cause wear/damage to the angle guides.
 
Fred Rowe, a highly respected member and sponsor on BF has angle guides for sale at a reasonable price. I think after awhile you will not need them except to check your eye. Russ
 
I bought one of these guided systems and so far, I'm fairly pleased with it, but keep wondering if I might have done just as well buy buying a whetstone, some sandpaper, a wood block and a mouse pad. I'll probably end up there anyhow. I can get all my knives really sharp, but just not quite to a shaving edge -- yet. Maybe that's because when I was a kid and my grandfather, the resident knife sharpening expert, thought having a razor sharp knife was only useful for surgery, castrations and other cutting that had to be done on a ranch. A razor sharp blade was considered a bit fragile for regular use. Three blade knives: long blade, spay blade and leather punch was the ideal and the best I had was a schrade walden until I got a gerber lockblade in '73. Now, maybe with the new steels, that razor edge is fine?
 
I Just ordered one, I figure it will help with my free hand sharpening and it will be a while before my TS system arrives and this is fairly portable as well.
 
The up-grade kit is a must for re-profiling and final treatment because of the extra coarse, extra fine and the strop. I got mine a month ago and so far seems an excellent system. The pivot response has helped me with re-setting the tips on some knives I had issues with.

So far I have sharpened my Benchmade Bushcrafter ( S-30v) , Adamas ( D2) Sog Force ( Aus 8) and a few others with awesome results. I find it's a very versatile system , easy to use , and reasonably priced.
The quality of the stones and unit itself seem very well made .:thumbup:
 
I am reviving this thread as it would be interesting to know how did the various diamonds behave with age. I use a GSS for a year now and the 600 seems to be a bit blunt, though still usable.
How get a replacement 600 and/or 800, without all the unnecessary gimmicks that come with the upgrade kit?
 
I've never seen extra replacement fine and coarse plates ;only extra fine and extra coarse.
I've been using mine for 2 years and they still remove metal well with no significant loss in performance.
They did lose original surface roughness after the first couple of sharpening sessions , just like most diamond plates do.
 
Jolipapa said:
I am reviving this thread as it would be interesting to know how did the various diamonds behave with age. I use a GSS for a year now and the 600 seems to be a bit blunt, though still usable.
How get a replacement 600 and/or 800, without all the unnecessary gimmicks that come with the upgrade kit?
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I have dealt with a guy from WS a few times. He's very friendly and honest. He told me that I should return the blade grinding attachment. Due to my lack of skill at the time. Companies never tell you to return something. I kept it and learned on it I was going to PM you contact info but your box is full. @Jolipappa
 
hiwa hiwa Thank you for your answer. As I said, it's more the surface look than the efficiency that has changed. I wanted to have an idea of how the plates behave with age. Now I have an idea and good news! :thumbsup:
Some times ago I checked the WS site and they were selling all the plates and leather for replacement, now only the 800 and xtra coarse as you stated. Also disappeared the replacement plates/leather for the Field sharpener which I use also on a regular basis.

Minnesota Man Minnesota Man Thank you, I have cleared my box:). I live not in the US and it would be complicated to send the plate back. Further, it is still very useable. I chatted on the WS site but the replecement parts for GSS and GFS are not available in France, just belts for powered machines. I searched in the US but did not find replacement plates as well. I think I'll buy the upgrade kit.

Otherwise I am very pleased with the GSS and GFS. :thumbsup:
 
I recently bought a work sharp guided knife sharpening system. I followed the instructions and it feels really sharp until I hone it. I use the course then the fine rod but afterwards it doesn't seem as sharp as before. Any advice or tips. Before this I just used a lansky blademedic knife sharpener. Thank you for any advice you can give
 
Bob6794 said:
General suggestion we give people who buy the powered sharpeners is use some cheap knives you don't care about to practice on or buy some so you don't ruin your nice knives while learning.
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I would like to add: Do not use the P80 and P220 grits until you know what you're doing. Both can take off a lot of metal very quickly.
 
Washed_3981 said:
I recently bought a work sharp guided knife sharpening system. I followed the instructions and it feels really sharp until I hone it. I use the course then the fine rod but afterwards it doesn't seem as sharp as before. Any advice or tips. Before this I just used a lansky blademedic knife sharpener. Thank you for any advice you can give
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Try using just the fine side (all you need after sharpening).... do a 1/2 dozen or so alternating strokes, and use very light pressure. (The main goal of the ceramic is to remove the burr, so don't do too much on the ceramics, and see if that helps).
 
Thank you everyone, I think I was applying to much pressure on the hone. With more practice it will get better. I am happy with the results. Seem like I will be ordering the extra plates and leather when I can.
 
The extra plate kit ( Extra fine , extra coarse, and leather) stuck in a small pouch , make an excellent field-carry system to use freehand to maintain your blades away from home.
 
The YouTube Gauntlet series on this is pretty helpful. Even though they all received the items free, they remained objective in their assessment which was favorable on the whole. Looking at buying both items (system and upgrade kit) as a cost-effective solution for those who'd rather do something else with their time than sharpen their knives. Appears to be a definite learning curve for the inexperienced and mainly for those not used to free-handing. Priced competitively because it's widely available.
 
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