- Joined
- Dec 27, 2004
- Messages
- 2,270
The WorkSharp Combo Knife Sharpener
(A sharpener for the person who doesn't want to?)
Quick Summary... great little sharpener for quickly putting a decent working edge on a knife, runs slow enough so that it would be hard to mess up a blade, simple to setup and use, and minimal maintenance. A simple change from the instructions to holding the blade vertical gives a better result. (Don't expect to whittle a hair).
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WorkSharp recently came out with the "WorkSharp Combo Knife Sharpener"... (which was actually Blade-2016's "Accessory of the Year" winner). I picked one up at a local store, and gave it a quick spin.
First, let me say, that this sharpener is designed to put a decent working edge, on a dull knife. Like I said at the top... it's best user is probably the person who needs to sharpen a knife, but doesn't want to put a lot of time or effort into the process. (2nd best would be the person who just wants to quickly get a dull knife working again). This sharpener probably wouldn't satisfy the majority of forum members. It puts a 25 deg. per side convex edge with a 120g belt, and the burr is then removed on the ceramic rod.
This sharpener is designed to be dead simple. Following the instructions: Turn the switch on, pull the blade thru the belt slots alternating sides 5 times each side, pull across the ceramic 5 times each side, and you're done. (The "guides" are the gold markings by the belts and ceramics). Maintain the blade occasionally on the ceramic rod, and once in a while make 2-3 passes on the belt to refresh the edge. To change a belt, remove the cover, push down on the tensioner, pull off the old belt and replace. Occasionally use a pencil eraser to clean the ceramic. That's about all you can or need to do with it. The ceramic is also tapered so that you can sharpen serrations of various sizes.
First thing I noted when I got it, was that it was smaller than I expected... except for the ceramic rod sticking out, it's about the size of a copy cup... making it easily portable...
(Shoulda put coffee in the cup...)
The second thing I noted was that the belt runs slow. So even though it's 120g, (BTW: only grit available and none of WorkSharp's other belts fit) it's more difficult to do any damage to a blade, vs. the majority of other belt sharpeners. Two of the more common issues weren't created... I didn't develop a noticeable recurve near the heel, and when I tried to purposely "take the tip off" by pulling the tip all the way across the belt while applying pressure, only a tiny amount came off, that was hard to tell without really looking for it. Also, no heat buildup was detected on the blade.
I did a few different knives, and the conclusion is about what you'd expect... you get a decent "working edge" on the knife, best suited for slicing. It will slice thru notebook paper, (would also slice phonebook paper with the grain) cut up a cardboard box, decently slice thru some leather, slice a tomato, and shave/scrape off a few arm hairs (didn't really pushcut anything).... following the sharpener instructions. (I say "following instructions" because, as most know, you could finesse more from the edge if you wanted). It makes very little mess... most of the debris stays inside the sharpener, and can be vacuumed or knocked out into the trash. I've done about ½ dozen sharpenings... belt seems to be holding up well, and other than cleaning the ceramic, no other maintenance.
I'm guessing over time, a knife would need to be re-tuned... chances are a little recurve will develop, and the blade will need to be thinned. But for most users who otherwise may not sharpen at all, this should keep a knife working for quite a while.
Although I followed the instructions to see the results I'd get, one simple change I made later was, instead of following the guides for the belt section, I held the knife straight up (vertical). This puts an approx. 20 deg. per side edge on, followed by the ceramic (following the 25 deg. guides). This put a noticeably better edge on... one that would cleanly slice paper (even phonebook paper either direction), shave a bit of arm hair, better slicing of cardboard etc. While this is a better edge, (and I have no insight), my guess would be that WorkSharp went with 25 deg. so that the average user would see results in a short amount of time? Just my guess. Anyway, I mention this so if you get one, or know somebody that does, this simple change makes a noticeable difference. I forgot to take a picture at 25 deg., but here's one with a 20 deg. edge (which is probably what I'd do)...
(BTW, this is the knife I took the tip off... just resharpening restored it, it was that little).
All in all, for its designed purpose... I think it's a great little sharpener.
(A sharpener for the person who doesn't want to?)
Quick Summary... great little sharpener for quickly putting a decent working edge on a knife, runs slow enough so that it would be hard to mess up a blade, simple to setup and use, and minimal maintenance. A simple change from the instructions to holding the blade vertical gives a better result. (Don't expect to whittle a hair).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
WorkSharp recently came out with the "WorkSharp Combo Knife Sharpener"... (which was actually Blade-2016's "Accessory of the Year" winner). I picked one up at a local store, and gave it a quick spin.
First, let me say, that this sharpener is designed to put a decent working edge, on a dull knife. Like I said at the top... it's best user is probably the person who needs to sharpen a knife, but doesn't want to put a lot of time or effort into the process. (2nd best would be the person who just wants to quickly get a dull knife working again). This sharpener probably wouldn't satisfy the majority of forum members. It puts a 25 deg. per side convex edge with a 120g belt, and the burr is then removed on the ceramic rod.
This sharpener is designed to be dead simple. Following the instructions: Turn the switch on, pull the blade thru the belt slots alternating sides 5 times each side, pull across the ceramic 5 times each side, and you're done. (The "guides" are the gold markings by the belts and ceramics). Maintain the blade occasionally on the ceramic rod, and once in a while make 2-3 passes on the belt to refresh the edge. To change a belt, remove the cover, push down on the tensioner, pull off the old belt and replace. Occasionally use a pencil eraser to clean the ceramic. That's about all you can or need to do with it. The ceramic is also tapered so that you can sharpen serrations of various sizes.
First thing I noted when I got it, was that it was smaller than I expected... except for the ceramic rod sticking out, it's about the size of a copy cup... making it easily portable...
(Shoulda put coffee in the cup...)
The second thing I noted was that the belt runs slow. So even though it's 120g, (BTW: only grit available and none of WorkSharp's other belts fit) it's more difficult to do any damage to a blade, vs. the majority of other belt sharpeners. Two of the more common issues weren't created... I didn't develop a noticeable recurve near the heel, and when I tried to purposely "take the tip off" by pulling the tip all the way across the belt while applying pressure, only a tiny amount came off, that was hard to tell without really looking for it. Also, no heat buildup was detected on the blade.
I did a few different knives, and the conclusion is about what you'd expect... you get a decent "working edge" on the knife, best suited for slicing. It will slice thru notebook paper, (would also slice phonebook paper with the grain) cut up a cardboard box, decently slice thru some leather, slice a tomato, and shave/scrape off a few arm hairs (didn't really pushcut anything).... following the sharpener instructions. (I say "following instructions" because, as most know, you could finesse more from the edge if you wanted). It makes very little mess... most of the debris stays inside the sharpener, and can be vacuumed or knocked out into the trash. I've done about ½ dozen sharpenings... belt seems to be holding up well, and other than cleaning the ceramic, no other maintenance.
I'm guessing over time, a knife would need to be re-tuned... chances are a little recurve will develop, and the blade will need to be thinned. But for most users who otherwise may not sharpen at all, this should keep a knife working for quite a while.
Although I followed the instructions to see the results I'd get, one simple change I made later was, instead of following the guides for the belt section, I held the knife straight up (vertical). This puts an approx. 20 deg. per side edge on, followed by the ceramic (following the 25 deg. guides). This put a noticeably better edge on... one that would cleanly slice paper (even phonebook paper either direction), shave a bit of arm hair, better slicing of cardboard etc. While this is a better edge, (and I have no insight), my guess would be that WorkSharp went with 25 deg. so that the average user would see results in a short amount of time? Just my guess. Anyway, I mention this so if you get one, or know somebody that does, this simple change makes a noticeable difference. I forgot to take a picture at 25 deg., but here's one with a 20 deg. edge (which is probably what I'd do)...
(BTW, this is the knife I took the tip off... just resharpening restored it, it was that little).
All in all, for its designed purpose... I think it's a great little sharpener.
