WorkSharp Worth it?

A

alasker00

Joined
Dec 10, 2015
Messages
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Im looking to getting a kit I can really get a good edge with. I have done a bit of research and it seems worksharp systems get stellar reviews. My question is, will the field kit be sufficient for my needs, or should I invest in the guided sharpening system?
Thank you
 
alasker00 said:
Im looking to getting a kit I can really get a good edge with. I have done a bit of research and it seems worksharp systems get stellar reviews. My question is, will the field kit be sufficient for my needs, or should I invest in the guided sharpening system?
Thank you
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Are you talking about these 2...

55851fa000f4644392025a35a832d2b5_zpsoudkvqt8.jpg


... or something else? (There is a powered unit setup they call a "field kit").
Also, what are your needs?
 
cbwx34 said:
Are you talking about these 2...

55851fa000f4644392025a35a832d2b5_zpsoudkvqt8.jpg


... or something else? (There is a powered unit setup they call a "field kit").
Also, what are your needs?
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Yes those two. Im sorry I should have specified. I used the words needs, but I suppose that's broad. I am basically looking for soemthing that can get me a very, very good edge on a variety of blades. I cannot afford the electric versions, and these two seem to be some of the best on the market. Does the cost outweigh the benefit for the the guided sharpener?
 
alasker00 said:
Yes those two. Im sorry I should have specified. I used the words needs, but I suppose that's broad. I am basically looking for soemthing that can get me a very, very good edge on a variety of blades. I cannot afford the electric versions, and these two seem to be some of the best on the market. Does the cost outweigh the benefit for the the guided sharpener?
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Cool. Figured, just wanted to be sure. If only getting one, I'd get the bottom one (the guided system). Not necessarily for the guides, but you get a bit bigger abrasive, more abrasives (and even more if you get the 'add-on' kit), a nice base to work from, guides if you want them (remove if you don't),... overall a bit more versatile and effective system. Well worth the price difference, in my opinion. (p.s... I've used both).
 
cbwx34 said:
Cool. Figured, just wanted to be sure. If only getting one, I'd get the bottom one (the guided system). Not necessarily for the guides, but you get a bit bigger abrasive, more abrasives (and even more if you get the 'add-on' kit), a nice base to work from, guides if you want them (remove if you don't),... overall a bit more versatile and effective system. Well worth the price difference, in my opinion. (p.s... I've used both).
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Perfect, I was looking for someone with experience. Money is tight right now but I was thinking it might be worth it to shell out a bit more now rather than having to do it in a couple years. Ill have to wait a bit for the upgrade kit but I think ill go for the guided. In your experience, how well do these work?
Thanks
 
I really like the setup. To be fair, if you don't think you'll need the guided aspect, there may be other routes you can take that would save a bit of $$, but I still think it's a decent value even if you don't use the guides, and even more so if you're learning freehand and would use them. Like I said before its a decent setup, nice base, fairly compact, the diamond abrasives are holding up well, and although I haven't needed it on this sharpener, WorkSharp's customer service is excellent. No problem recommending it... haven't had any issues.

If you have specific questions feel free.
 
The Guided one can be found for less than $50 and that is very cheap for what you get.
 
I have both the field sharpener while it's good for getting a quick edge I wouldn't count on it as my primary sharpening tool...it's rather small and awkward at best for any real steel removal...touching up an edge is where it shines...for full on sharpening I'd go with the larger unit.
 
cbwx34 said:
I really like the setup. To be fair, if you don't think you'll need the guided aspect, there may be other routes you can take that would save a bit of $$, but I still think it's a decent value even if you don't use the guides, and even more so if you're learning freehand and would use them. Like I said before its a decent setup, nice base, fairly compact, the diamond abrasives are holding up well, and although I haven't needed it on this sharpener, WorkSharp's customer service is excellent. No problem recommending it... haven't had any issues.

If you have specific questions feel free.
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Do you know of any other systems that will do the same for less money? you alluded to that a bit and im all for saving money.
 
alasker00 said:
Do you know of any other systems that will do the same for less money? you alluded to that a bit and im all for saving money.
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My opinion, for what you get overall, it's a good deal. My point was, if the base/guides didn't interest you, you could, for example, get a 2 sided oil or waterstone for less. But overall, hard to beat. I found a small gun case that I've toted it around in, and keep the guides if someone wants to try it...

a3069e7ef18ab119c8a7ee76483f345c_zps9ghfkysz.jpg


... does everything I need, and very portable.

matlocc said:
Spend a bit more and get the sharpmaker. diamond stones also. Watch the dvd and you will be impressed.
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I would have to disagree... I believe the WorkSharp is a much better value... better, more effective abrasives for one.
 
matlocc said:
Spend a bit more and get the sharpmaker. diamond stones also. Watch the dvd and you will be impressed.
If you stumbled on this forum, you may get the bug. It becomes addictive and cost becomes relative. Just read some mirror polish posts and you realize there are guys out there absolutely amazing at sharpening and their knowledge about it.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1265034-Super-polished-edges?highlight=mirror
This one got me hooked.
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Haha im already hooked its too late. I have almost 75 knives ( I know I know some of them are junk but I love them all) and view got more time in highschool left (theres were the financial restrictions come from haha, all I got is summer jobs supporting my obsession). Want I really want now is to get proficient at getting a great edge on them, and I think these systems will help. My next problem is getting a good edge on the knives I make but that's for a different part of the forum (and tons of years of practice). Thanks for your recommendation I will look into that one as well.
 
Bobby3326 said:
I have both the field sharpener while it's good for getting a quick edge I wouldn't count on it as my primary sharpening tool...it's rather small and awkward at best for any real steel removal...touching up an edge is where it shines...for full on sharpening I'd go with the larger unit.
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What do you count on as your primary sharpener?
 
alasker00 said:
What do you count on as your primary sharpener?
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The primary sharpeners I use are a wicked edge and the work sharp ko blade grinding attachment. But I also have the work sharp field sharpener that I take on the road with me for quick maintenance...then the guided sharper that I have used a lil bit, a 1x30, and a few other stones and such.
 
sir_mike said:
Yeah, check out Zoro.com. That is where I got mine from and I added the upgrade kit from there too.
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Well I just checked it out and I found the pro sharpener (the electric one) for 71 bucks..... Should I be considering that instead?
 
alasker00 said:
Well I just checked it out and I found the pro sharpener (the electric one) for 71 bucks..... Should I be considering that instead?
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I wouldn't... the 1st gen. model was ok... but had some deficiencies that were improved on with the 2nd (Ken Onion) edition (variable speed, wider/better abrasives, better angle guide are a few). If you want to go electric, I'd save up for the newer version.
 
Zombie thread resurrection!

I have the field sharpener, and it's not really cutting it (har har) for getting really shaving sharp edges any more. It was doing the job, but it seems like it just doesn't want to sharpen as well as when it was first purchased, I'm not sure why. I'm looking at the guided system to do a better job (and also for ease of cleaning, since you can't remove the ceramic rod from the field sharpener, and I don't want the strop piece to get wet either).

I did notice that the guides on the guided system for the stones are 17 and 20 degrees (I'd use the 20 degree bevel, so no problem there), however the guide for the ceramic rod is 25 degrees. Does this make sense? I always thought the angle should be consistent from stone to ceramic, am I wrong?

I'll be mostly sharpening my Boker Pipsqueak folder (my daily EDC), and my Esee fixed blades.
 
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