Work Sharp Ken Onion edition is FREAKIN' AWESOME! Long Post

Question for WorkSharpEngineer or anybody who knows: Are the two sides the same angle (when used without the guide)? I have been turning mine around (edge-trailing) each side. Is this necessary? Also, is vertical 17.5 degrees?
Thanks,
Dave
 
AFAustin said:
You are saying to use less deflection on the coarser belts, and then a bit more on the finer belts to ensure hitting the edge?
Andrew
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Hello Andrew, you normally don't have to worry about it if using the guides/belts provided. However, you can increase the deflection a little on the last belt when free hand to ensure you refine the entire edge. It feels a little strange because we tend to want to use very light passes to finish. An alternative is to use similar or even less deflection on the final passes but increase the angle very slightly to error towards a slight microbevel. And/or use a more flexible belt to finish. I often use a combination of all three. DanD.
 
Dan, got it. Thanks.

Any idea when your additional belts in 3/4" x 12" for the KO will be available? And what grits do you anticipate, and will they be the stiff backed Norax variety like the stock x65, x22, and x4?

Andrew
 
wvdavidr said:
Question for WorkSharpEngineer or anybody who knows: Are the two sides the same angle (when used without the guide)? I have been turning mine around (edge-trailing) each side. Is this necessary? Also, is vertical 17.5 degrees?
Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, yes the angle is symmetric at 17.5 degrees per side from vertical. (The sharpening module can rotate so make sure it is vertical.) You can sharpen on both sides with the belts provided. Don't use to much deflection to avoid cutting the belt on the "edge-into" direction. Thanks, DanD
 
Andrew, sorry but I don't have a firm date yet for the additional belts.

The belt kit we included in the box is intended to handle most blade sharpening tasks from shaping to shaving. However, as blade nuts we all want to tweak the process to our application and maybe split a few atoms. We are currently testing:

· a range of ceramic belts for shaping/reprofiling,

· the full range (tweener grits included) in the current J-wt Norax,

· a full range of stiffer X-wt Norax for flatter bevels,

· a range of MicroMesh for smoothing/polishing

· a selection of film backed belts

· diamond belts for ceramic blades

· leather belts (1x18” for the blade grinder only)

Please feel free to try aftermarket belts as well. I encourage you to experiment with different techniques and abrasives. If you post your results we all get to learn/improve. It’s kinda like crowd sourcing for sharpening.

The kit we included will handle most tasks and is designed to make re-sharpening a breeze while minimizing material removal. We want to make sure the accessory belts will meet our standards before releasing them. I'll keep you posted when we get closer. Thanks, DanD.
 
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Dan,

Great news that you're testing such an interesting variety of additional belts. In particular, I'd like to try the X-wt Norax, should they make it through the testing process.

And I bet if you could ever source a good 3/4" x 12" leather stropping belt for the KO, you'd sell a bunch of 'em!

Andrew
 
TheRiverYeti said:
Any ETA on when the blade grinding attachment will be available?
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Hello RiverYeti. The Blade Grinding and Tool Grinding attachments are now available on our website. Both mount in place of the standard sharpening attachment on the Ken Onion Edition only.

The Blade Grinding Attachment uses 1 x 18" belts, adjusts from 10-35 degrees, and accepts the leather belt kit (WSSA0002782). It is intended to provide an easy approach for free hand sharpening as well as blade customizing and re-profiling. The attachment allows you to see the cutting edge as it is formed and is suitable for both right and left-handed users.

The Tool Grinding Attachment uses heavy weight 3/4 x 12" belts and is intended for heavy duty sharpening and light duty grinding tasks. Typical uses include sharpening tools such as axes, mower blades, etc. and light duty grinding operations such as weld prep and deburring. This attachment operates at a high surface speed and is not suitable for knife sharpening.

Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about either attachment. Thanks, DanD.
 
Nice. The blade grinding attachment is very tempting. I wish it used the same belts as the KO edition itself. I don't see the belts on your website; will they be available soon?

- Tim
 
Thanks Sinnyc. The blade grinder comes with an assortment of belts (X65, X22, X4, and 12,000.) Those same belts are available now (they aren't on the website yet but are available through customer service.) We will have additional grits/types available soon. Thanks, DanD.
 
Any word on when you can ship to Canada. I understand the box must have french on it. No, I'm not french. What a silly rule.
 
Ok, so I've sharpened most every knife in the house. Out of the corner of my eye I see my carbon V Trailmaster. Years ago I spent a couple of days grinding away the rolled edge with my Lansky.

So now I want to run it through the KO...

What angle would work best for this thing. I'd imagine 25 degrees, but it's got a deep vee to it, so maybe 30degrees?

Thanks,
Jason.
 
Just got my KO edition WS for Xmas. I have never used a belt sharpener, and to be honest, I suck at free hand too. I'm going to ruin a few chinese made kitchen blades and learn off of them before I get anyhwere near my Beckers. Anyway, I'm nervous about using it, because, even after reading the instructions, I'm still confused about the belts. Anyway.....live and learn right?
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
Just got my KO edition WS for Xmas. I have never used a belt sharpener, and to be honest, I suck at free hand too. I'm going to ruin a few chinese made kitchen blades and learn off of them before I get anyhwere near my Beckers. Anyway, I'm nervous about using it, because, even after reading the instructions, I'm still confused about the belts. Anyway.....live and learn right?
Click to expand...

For me the tip of the blade is the most difficult part not to screw up.
 
Nice review. I have this machine too and it has probably been the best knife-related purchase I ever made. From totally dull to mind-blowingly sharp in minutes. Can't beat it.

Just one question, though. On the bottom of the tool it says "Operation time: 60 minutes". Does this mean that the motor has a total running lifetime of an hour or is that the max the motor can continuously run, or perhaps something else?

Thanks.
 
bravodelta said:
Ditch the guide and learn freehand with the KO. Any trouble I have had was related to the guide. All knives I have free handed came out great, including the tip.
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Pretty much agree with that. I have experimented with a lot of methods, and when it came time to touch up the Umnumzaan, freehand it was.
 
Ok, so I ripped the Trailmaster at 25 degrees, and it went fine, but I probably could have used 30 degrees. Then again I'm cool with a nice thin edge.

Agreed about the gap between x22 and x4 being too steep. It's hard to polish through.

So rather than spend a whole bunch of time with x22, I just went to 27degrees and added a sexy little micro bevel.

It's really freaking sharp...
 
I can't wait to see how a convex bevel holds up at work.

I've had some time today and re-beveled quite a few of my Benchmades from flat to convex.
 
Wow... thanks for the great review. I did not even know this existed. I'm definitely going to pick one up. I just watched some youtube videos on it and I'm sold. It's really cool that Ken Onion showed up in the thread too.
 
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