Gear & Equipment > Knives and cutting tools

Review Of Knife Sharpening Systems

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Gary:
Years ago, I owned a Galco system.  Cant find it, and I wanted to sharpen some knives, so I started looking around the marketplace to see what has been invented over the past 15 years.  Lots!

First I purchased a Edge Pro knock off from Amazon.  Amazon messed up, and sent me Ver I.  In a couple days, I had both Ver I & the Pro version.  A little hard to use, slow, tedious, Good results.



I hit Sears and purchased a wet wheel stone, and I pretty much totaled one knife.  Have to know what you are doing on one of those.



I purchased a Full sized Norton tri stone, like a chef would own.   This is the old fashioned way to sharpen a knife.  A bit more than I want to learn, to master knife sharpening. 



Mid week, I purchased a Spiderco Sharpmaker.  This is a double rod system, where the precise angle is set for the user, and you have to do is concentrate on going up and down in a straight plumb motion. 

This is easy to use, and gets pretty good results.  This system was also one of the better deals, starting at about fifty bucks.  Double that, to get harsh and extra fine rods.



Next was a system from KME.  Has everything to get perfect results, if sharpening one knife, and eating up a couple hours, is in your evening plans.   Like the Edge Pro, not a fast way to sharpen a dull knife.



Today Amazon arrives via UPS, and the driver drops of a Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition.

In one afternoon, I sharpened 10 of my knives to razor sharp, and also did several knives in my suite of shops for other shop owners.   Incredible tool. 



This knife has seen hard times.  The edge shines like a mirror now, and it is razor sharp.





The winner, for me, between Spiderco, Edge Pro, KME, wet stones,  Work Sharp and Galco, is Work Sharp.  Hands down.

I chose the Ken Onion edition.  Larger, more bells and whistles.  About $150 on Amazon.  They have a smaller version for about half the money. 



This is a belt sharpener that turns slow, so the knife edge does not heat up, destroying the temper in the steel.   This works just the same as the knife makers tools, only in a small affordable package. 

WorkSharp puts a Convex edge on your knives, and some people feel, the round convex edge, is stronger, longer lasting, than a straight, or even a bevel edge.  Jig sharpeners, as a rule, cannot do a convex edge.  Hand sharpening can do a convex edge, as each pass of your hand across the stone, is on a somewhat altered angle, thus making the edge somewhat round.  this however, is not a planned event, rather like a church potluck.  Might be good, might be barely eatable.  One time you get a sharp knife, and the next time, it is dull, or worse than before you sharpened it. 

The Work Sharp Ken Onion edition, is truly wonderful. 

http://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-WSKTS-KO-Sharpener-Edition/dp/B00EJ9CQKA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392443433&sr=8-2&keywords=work+sharp+ken+onion



Put your worst pocket knife in your pocket, and come see me at 1st & O street, and I will sharpen it for you, just for the fun of it.  Yep, knife sharpening is fun!  Who knew?

ILoveCats:
Nice summary.  I love my Edge Pro system.  Makes for a totally foolproof way to get a perfect edge.

sparky:
That was a really great review and something I've been thinking about lately.  It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what works.  Expensive too.

Lorimor:
I'm sold.  I have a gatco sharpening kit.  It's like the Lansky system.  Works but it's slow.  Work sharp on order. 

bullit:
I've owned a Worksharp for a couple of years.  Awesome and best I've used.....

As an aside (and nothing personal "Gary").... I get tickled how everything is labeled a "system" these days.... I think I'll publish a decoder:
1) Sleep System = Sleeping Bag
2) Weapons System = Gun
3) Create your own .....

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