Worksharp Ken Onion Edition

So...

I got it in Friday and played with it this weekend. It is simply easy to use and works very well.

The KO version allows you to make some adjustments to the angle and provides a guide for what angle and what grit (it comes with 5 belts and replacement belts are super cheap) to use to accomplish different things. Pretty much idiot proof. I was able to put very nice edges on several knives quickly and easily.

I'm impressed and glad I waited for this edition. Some people get into the "zen" of sharpening, but I don't. I can get a knife sharp with stones or my Sharpmaker, but the less time that I spend on sharpening, the better. The WSKO cuts that necessary time drastically and for me, that is a good thing. YMMV. :)

Edit:
BTW, if anyone else gets one, do not throw away your box until you explore it a bit. The back of the box, behind the device, is actually a separate piece of cardboard that has a usable guide on the backside.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
So...
Pretty much idiot proof. L

.
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Challenge accepted. Got mine on Saturday.

The book suggested only using the most coarse belt for tool sharpening (or knife repair), but darned if I didn't do 10 strokes right then 10 left on each of my first set of knives needing sharpening. Argh.

For scary sharp, the instructions suggest doing 10 passes on belts 2,3 &4. I did 10 passes on belts 1, 2, 3, & 4.

You do still have to be careful and maintain the angle which isn't automatic. Definitely practice on a knife you don't care about.

End result, I still got a handful of shiny sharp hair popping knives in a relatively short period of time. I'm happy.
 
On a side note, I half expected a guidebook with a list of angles for different styles of pocketknives. Nope. Just general guidelines.
 
Does it remove a lot of metal in a hurry? Don't know if this is something that requires a goodly amount of practice before using it on your $400 plus knives?
It looks promising. Best of luck guys!
 
I can't really tell on a relative scale how much it removes because I'm a novice. I can say it is variable speed and you can go as slow as you'd like.
 
KLJTech said:
Does it remove a lot of metal in a hurry? Don't know if this is something that requires a goodly amount of practice before using it on your $400 plus knives?
It looks promising. Best of luck guys!
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It can remove a lot of metal in a hurry, depending on speed and grit. But you have complete control over those variables. Use a less coarse belt and a slower speed and you will remove less metal and do so more slowly. That is the advantage of the device, especially as compared to the original WS. You have more control.

While the manual does not give you knife-by-knife specifics (gives you info for a generic pocket knife, but not for a particular brand and model - that would be thousands of references ;) ), the manual does have a reference chart on page 14 that tells you what speed, angle and belt to use to sharpen different types (kitchen, pocket, filet, etc.) of knives. It is really all you need.
 
KLJTech said:
Does it remove a lot of metal in a hurry? Don't know if this is something that requires a goodly amount of practice before using it on your $400 plus knives?
It looks promising. Best of luck guys!
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The gents are right---the variable speed (along with the grit selection on your belt) helps a lot with the issue of removing too much metal too fast.

I did a mini-review of the KO here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rp-Knife-amp-Tool-Sharpener-Ken-Onion-Edition and mentioned the problem of unintentional "recurves". I am finding that the variable speed really helps with that. This weekend I sharpened a thin-bladed slipjoint and had an easier time avoiding that problem. I found that setting the speed up about 25-30% from the lowest level was an effective and more easily controlled speed for this type of knife.

Andrew
 
I'd love to try one of these out. I have plenty of sharpening gear, including a belt grinder, but I like variable speed.

As far as steel removal and belt grits go, remember, a sharp coarse belt creates less heat than a finer grit (or worn out belt) if you need to spend more time using it. Try to use the finest belt that will get the job done, but be aware that a coarse belt might be the better choice, especially when you have a good progression at your disposal.
 
Glad you like it guys! I am happy to be working with the folks at Worksharp. They are a great company that gets it and I am confident they are paying attention and sincere about making sure you are happy with there products and service.
 
I really want one but I think I'm going to wait for Christmas. I have a DMT Aligner and a SharpMaker. I considered a Wicked Edge but I want something powered.
 
For those that have this, would you recommend it over a 1" sander and if so why? The price makes it $100 more than the HF 1x30 and about 50-100 less than a good 1x42.
 
Got one for Christmas and couldn't be happier with it! It's great for someone like me who doesn't really have the patience for the learning curve required for freestyle sharpening. I've put screaming sharp edges on all the wife's kitchen knives as well as put some very nice polished edges on some of my folders.

Great product!
 
soloz2 said:
For those that have this, would you recommend it over a 1" sander and if so why? The price makes it $100 more than the HF 1x30 and about 50-100 less than a good 1x42.
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I have both. I find the KO very versatile for a portable sharpener. My shop is set up with the Kalamazoo 1x42" belt grinder and I use this most of the time. I have been sharpening for many years with every type of sharpening equipment you can think of. If you like a guide for you edges, portability and a well made sharpener this is a quality machine. The vari-speed is a plus for a powered sharpener. When traveling to friends and family I know they always ask me to sharpen their knives so I bring this along. Does a great job on their knife edges. Since i can't remove my Kalamazoo from the shop I find this a good alternative. Worth the money.
 
rpttrsn said:
I have both. I find the KO very versatile for a portable sharpener. My shop is set up with the Kalamazoo 1x42" belt grinder and I use this most of the time. I have been sharpening for many years with every type of sharpening equipment you can think of. If you like a guide for you edges, portability and a well made sharpener this is a quality machine. The vari-speed is a plus for a powered sharpener. When traveling to friends and family I know they always ask me to sharpen their knives so I bring this along. Does a great job on their knife edges. Since i can't remove my Kalamazoo from the shop I find this a good alternative. Worth the money.
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Thanks for the input. Have you tried the original worksharp too?
 
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