Work Sharp Precision Adjust Unit?

I haven't used this unit, so can't comment how useful or not it is on smaller blade like the 91mm. But personally, I love using Sharpmaker for all the small blades(SAK 91mm or lower) since their steel is super easy to sharpen. I usually only do 20 dps for all my SAKs on Sharpmaker, but I am sure 15 dps can be done just as easy.
 
I can say 100% after using the two: Sharpmaker is the more 'universal' tool and will sharpen more blades of all shapes and sizes, and has more sharpening media options.

The worksharp is not bad, and has potential. But the Sharpmaker still reigns in the "affordable guided sharpener" category.
 
Pomsbz said:
I couldn't even get 20 degrees on small traditional blades.
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I sharpen my Victorinox knives at the 20 degrees setting which results in an actual angle of +/- 17 degrees
18958799921-17dee77c0b-b.jpg


And this is how sharp it than is.

 
fvdk said:
I sharpen my Victorinox knives at the 20 degrees setting which results in an actual angle of +/- 17 degrees
18958799921-17dee77c0b-b.jpg


And this is how sharp it than is.

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I was using small traditional knives at the time.
 
The Worksharp system is pretty great for what you are paying (around 50$ most places at the moment) but if you are primarily working with SAKs or small thin knives like Cases I would agree that the Sharmaker is going to fit your needs better. The Worksharp really comes into its own as an affordable way to work on modern folders with larger blades, and those with high vanadium steel.

The sharpmaker has some limitations as well. The ceramic the kit comes with is not going to do a very good job on M4, M390/20CV, S90V, S110V, and I have found even S30V struggles. With the worksharp, you are getting diamond hones right out of the box for 50 bucks. The limitations of this are, clamped systems always struggle with thin blades, you may not be able to achieve the angle that you want given the jaws of the clamp in the way, and you are going to have limited stone choice for the time being.

The sharpmaker can be upgraded with CBN or diamond rods, but as others have pointed out, that is going to make the system at least twice as expensive as the Worksharp and possibly three times as expensive.

The sandpaper idea is a cool one, but once again you are going to be limited by steel. If you are trying to put a nice polish with higher grit on M390, run of the mill sandpaper is not going to be hard enough to cut the vanadium carbides.
 
^But this leaves out some issues with the Worksharp that I noted earlier. First, it struggles with numerous thin blades, including common kitchen knives, being able to sharpen at 15, heck even 17 or 18 dps. It just couldn't handle it. Sure you could jury-rig it to work at lower angles as someone suggest, but why not just get a tool that can just handle ALL your knives, from the get-go, at a nice lower angle like 15 dps? Sharpmaker can.

Second, I actually used the thing for a few days and the more I used it, the more I realized the design of the tiny sharpening block area is a design defect or at least a serious limitation. It's not stable while you're grinding with it. The sharpening block has a tendency to roll over a lot, and while you can compensate by using REALLY light pressure, that in turn lengthens your sharpening session massively. I could really tell the difference when I recently got an Edge Pro. I don't see any way in their design to work around that issue in the Worksharp. If you grind carefully with the thing to prevent that 'rocking', it takes at least as long, or longer, than sharpening with Sharpmaker. A device that's already known for it's pokey sharpening results (due to the small surface area of the stones).

So what it comes down to is, sure this system is $50, but what's preferable: a $50 system that doesn't work at all on some knives and doesn't sharpen down to the angle you want on others, or a $125 Sharpmaker ($70 for base + $55 for diamond or CBN add-on rods) that has more sharpening media options, sharpens all knives even serrated/recurves/scissors, actually works at the lowest expected angle on ALL your knives, and doesn't have weird ergonomics causing irregularities in your sharpening results?
 
Got one of these and seems to work ok so far. One thing that would have been really nice is if the base had provisions to stow the clamp and rod vertically to reduce footprint for storage, so you don't have to completely break it down and put it back in the box.
 
I love this sharpener, I haven't used my Spyderco Sharpmaker since I received it. They do have plans on adding additional stones in the future and many have used the paper applied to their stones with good results. All my knives get used and carried and I'm not one to want a polished mirror finish on my blades. I like that I can adjust the angle and it maintains this angle throughout the process. I think for someone like me there isn't a better sharpener for the price. This is just my .02 and it's worth exactly what you paid for it, lol!!!!!
NCH
 
A
Aerosmith101 said:
Worksharp's diamond plates are rubbish, they don't last very long maybe a month or two and worksharp won't replace them when they wear out
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As with most diamond plates, they wear out very fast if you don't use them lubricated. Use some dish soap to make a soapy water solution and use that when sharpening with the diamond plates and they will last a long time.
 
It's good for setting accurate bevels. I started with a sharpmaker had good results, got a worksharp precision, had good results. Got some Spyderco ceramic whetstones and they out perform the sharpmaker and the worksharp put together.
 
jaydiggz said:
It's good for setting accurate bevels. I started with a sharpmaker had good results, got a worksharp precision, had good results. Got some Spyderco ceramic whetstones and they out perform the sharpmaker and the worksharp put together.
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Interesting. What steels were you sharpening? I try to stay away from ceramic on anything more wear resistant than D2.
 
c7m2p3 said:
Interesting. What steels were you sharpening? I try to stay away from ceramic on anything more wear resistant than D2.
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I've hit vg10, s30v, 8cr13mov, 14c28n, lc200n, wusthofs x50crmov15,
I've had nothing but great results.
 
I liked the work sharp precision initially, but wanted more sharpening options. Building off the modifications that sweet knives started with using lapping films (in video posted earlier in thread), I developed a hex slider add on for the work sharp. This allows me to keep all my PSA lapping strips on one slider. It works great.

I can’t figure out how to get pictures embedded so here is link to a few:

iCloud Photo Sharing

iCloud Photo Sharing lets you share just the photos you want with just the people you choose.
www.icloud.com
 
Coopscoop said:
I liked the work sharp precision initially, but wanted more sharpening options. Building off the modifications that sweet knives started with using lapping films (in video posted earlier in thread), I developed a hex slider add on for the work sharp. This allows me to keep all my PSA lapping strips on one slider. It works great.

I can’t figure out how to get pictures embedded so here is link to a few:

iCloud Photo Sharing

iCloud Photo Sharing lets you share just the photos you want with just the people you choose.
www.icloud.com
Click to expand...
They just released the Precision Adjust Elite and Upgrade Kit. In the Upgrade Kit you get 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, ceramic, strop, and serrations sharpener. It comes with a case to keep everything together. You'd only want to get the Upgrade Kit if you already have the original Precision Adjust. I did a review if you're interested.

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite and Upgrade Kit Review

qygMuvK.jpg
 
toilandrecoil said:
They just released the Precision Adjust Elite and Upgrade Kit. In the Upgrade Kit you get 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, ceramic, strop, and serrations sharpener. It comes with a case to keep everything together. You'd only want to get the Upgrade Kit if you already have the original Precision Adjust. I did a review if you're interested.

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite and Upgrade Kit Review

qygMuvK.jpg
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Great review (and pictures)! The upgrade kit looks great, but it seems expensive considering the unit costs $50.

I guess the question is whether the upgrade kit is that much superior to 3D printed sliders and lapping films (~$25 vs $80)?
 
Coopscoop said:
I guess the question is whether the upgrade kit is that much superior to 3D printed sliders and lapping films (~$25 vs $80)?
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The Gritomatic 3D printed stone/strop holders for $19 definitely give much more versatility. With them you can use any 4 or 6 inch stone or strop. This opens up a whole different world of options.
 
I avoid these systems now. Freehand is preferable to me.
 
I think the new Elite version addresses a market segment, but the question for me is how long the consumables will last? Also waiting to see street price. Nice review btw.
 
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