I'm not, but I do have some other blades I could use to hone my skills (pun intended). One of those blades wouldn't even cut paracord. The CopperLock isn't nearly that bad, so I'll get more opinions and do more research.
Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
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Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Thanks Ken. I did not realize the Worksharp has diamond stones. I have used diamond stones and they cut much faster. But they do wear out as the flakes of diamond tend to get dislodged from the 'matrix' they are embedded in. Especially true if you apply 'too much' pressure on the blade as you pass it over the stone.
I have 2 Japanese water stones from Murray Carter. The coarse is a 1000 grit and the fine a 6000 grit. It is not fast using these
kj
I have 2 Japanese water stones from Murray Carter. The coarse is a 1000 grit and the fine a 6000 grit. It is not fast using these
kj
Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Have a read of Working Edge's Edge Pro Apex 4 sharpening system thread, you will find it interesting.Dan In MI wrote: ↑Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:30 pm My new CopperLock has been put through its initial testing. Though it didn't do too badly, there is room for improvement. I got to thinking that it may be best to save my current pocket-friendly gear for use in the field or dire emergencies. So I'm considering the purchase of gear that is more of the bench-top variety.
Oil, water, or dry matters not to me. If the angled jobs offer great benefits, I'd like to get one of those. I'm looking for something that would be good for many types of steel, rather than excellent for one or two.
Does anyone have any recommendations, be they specific or general, for a setup that might work well for me!?
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
As regards rod-guided systems, there are three tiers of cost-to-results ratios.
The lowest price point would be the venerable and time-proven Lansky, which produces a good-to-excellent result, depending upon how much attention the operator pays to nuancing the details.
There are other makes of rod-guided systems in this price class of course, which cost less than the Lansky.
The WorkSharp Precision Adjust fits into the upper end of this tier, at roughly $10.00 more than the Lansky, and is a better value due to the higher precision of manufacture and increased rigidity of the chassis, compared to the other appliances in this price point.
The middle tier would be the Edge Pro systems, which produce an outstanding result without needing to finesse the details, and which produce an even better result still, when the operator is willing to finesse the nuances.
The upper tier is the Wicked Edge, which by reputation is the most precision and effective appliance for hand-powered sharpening. The Wicked Edge also is very expensive.
Perhaps a major determining factor in these three price classes is how rigid the device is, and how accurate are the machining tolerances in the manufacturing process.
EDIT: My opinion... if the budget is tight, and cost-effectivness is critical, for $50 you cannot go wrong the the WorkSharp Precision Adjust Sharpener, a rod-guided system which gives accurate and repeatable results.
Hope this helps..!
Mark
The lowest price point would be the venerable and time-proven Lansky, which produces a good-to-excellent result, depending upon how much attention the operator pays to nuancing the details.
There are other makes of rod-guided systems in this price class of course, which cost less than the Lansky.
The WorkSharp Precision Adjust fits into the upper end of this tier, at roughly $10.00 more than the Lansky, and is a better value due to the higher precision of manufacture and increased rigidity of the chassis, compared to the other appliances in this price point.
The middle tier would be the Edge Pro systems, which produce an outstanding result without needing to finesse the details, and which produce an even better result still, when the operator is willing to finesse the nuances.
The upper tier is the Wicked Edge, which by reputation is the most precision and effective appliance for hand-powered sharpening. The Wicked Edge also is very expensive.
Perhaps a major determining factor in these three price classes is how rigid the device is, and how accurate are the machining tolerances in the manufacturing process.
EDIT: My opinion... if the budget is tight, and cost-effectivness is critical, for $50 you cannot go wrong the the WorkSharp Precision Adjust Sharpener, a rod-guided system which gives accurate and repeatable results.
Hope this helps..!
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Thanks for the detailed summary Mark.
I think I must have gotten into the Wicked Edge scene just in the nick of time. I paid approximately $225 (can't remember the exact price) for my Wicked Edge Go system but I see that they might not offer that model anymore. Their base model nowadays looks to be quite a bit more money.
The Go model has the basic features of the higher end models while still being compatible with most Wicked Edge upgrades.
I think I must have gotten into the Wicked Edge scene just in the nick of time. I paid approximately $225 (can't remember the exact price) for my Wicked Edge Go system but I see that they might not offer that model anymore. Their base model nowadays looks to be quite a bit more money.
The Go model has the basic features of the higher end models while still being compatible with most Wicked Edge upgrades.
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
That's an awesome price for an awesome sharpener.!!
There are all sorts of aftermarket stones and strops available for that Wicked Edge; have you looked at the Gritomatic website?
Mark
There are all sorts of aftermarket stones and strops available for that Wicked Edge; have you looked at the Gritomatic website?
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
I have not and if I know myself like I think I do, I probably shouldn't. But I probably will.Working Edge wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:10 pm That's an awesome price for an awesome sharpener.!!
There are all sorts of aftermarket stones and strops available for that Wicked Edge; have you looked at the Gritomatic website?
Mark
Rick T.
"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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"My knife money maketh itself wings!" mb>
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
I'm right there with ya.....Railsplitter wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:15 pmI have not and if I know myself like I think I do, I probably shouldn't. But I probably will.Working Edge wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:10 pm That's an awesome price for an awesome sharpener.!!
There are all sorts of aftermarket stones and strops available for that Wicked Edge; have you looked at the Gritomatic website?
Mark
If you go there, bring your wallet....!!!
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
I believe the reports from people who say they’ve tried and failed at freehand sharpening can be attributed to attempting to learn on a stone too small. Not always the case, but certainly so in many cases. A stone at least 1-1/2 or 2 inches wide and 6 inches long (bigger is even better) is much better to learn on. Smaller (pocket) stones are handy for field touch up use after you have learned free hand, but not good for learning nor for serious sharpening tasks. Before giving up on free hand sharpening and spending money on a sharpening “system” with clamps and angle guides etc, try using a large stone.Dan In MI wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:46 amI have a set of DMT diamond stones, but they're on the small side (2 5/8"×15/16"). A larger diamond stone might be better for at-home use. Or maybe I should get large coarse stones, or just go for the Work Sharp system. My brain is going to gain weight from all this food for thought. Thanks to all; much appreciated!
Some people enjoy sharpening. I don’t dread it, but I don’t care to have to set up and use a ‘system”. I’m not into obtaining the “perfect” edge. Not anything wrong with that if that’s your thing. I just want a good edge for daily use. For my purposes my thumb tells me everything I need to know about the edge. JMO
Ken
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
I have been using the same Lansky sharpener since 1982. Obviously the original stones wore out and have been replaced with diamond Lansky stones. It has always worked great for me and produces a great edge with minimum effort. I would never even consider a powered sharpener. I have seen too many knives ruined by the "too much too fast" mentality.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:20 pm I have been using the same Lansky sharpener since 1982. Obviously the original stones wore out and have been replaced with diamond Lansky stones. It has always worked great for me and produces a great edge with minimum effort. I would never even consider a powered sharpener. I have seen too many knives ruined by the "too much too fast" mentality.
John
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Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
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Make sure some of them are Dirt!!!
Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Same here.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:31 pm For my purposes my thumb tells me everything I need to know about the edge.
A powered sharpener seems like cheating to me...and one or other U.S. Navy publication informally defined cheating as "defeating the purpose of."OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:20 pm I would never even consider a powered sharpener. I have seen too many knives ruined by the "too much too fast" mentality.
My research continues. Thanks to all for the continuing information, insight, and enlightenment!
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Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Dan,
Did you make a decision on which sharpening device to purchase?
Mark
Did you make a decision on which sharpening device to purchase?
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Sure did. I've purchased and received one of those Tri-Hone systems, with stones that are about 8x1.5." I haven't yet put it to use, but it's ready for when the need arises.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 2:39 am Did you make a decision on which sharpening device to purchase?
Yesterday I took a Victorinox Rally (with a blade that was so dull it couldn't cut paracord) and ran it through a couple of Victorinox pull-through sharpeners. It now cuts better, but not perfectly, and the edge is raggedy. It's possible (likely?) that I was doing something incorrectly, but thus far, those pull-through sharpeners have not impressed me.
Purchasing a more expensive system is still a possibility down the road.
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Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Dan,Dan In MI wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 6:28 amSure did. I've purchased and received one of those Tri-Hone systems, with stones that are about 8x1.5." I haven't yet put it to use, but it's ready for when the need arises.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 2:39 am Did you make a decision on which sharpening device to purchase?
Yesterday I took a Victorinox Rally (with a blade that was so dull it couldn't cut paracord) and ran it through a couple of Victorinox pull-through sharpeners. It now cuts better, but not perfectly, and the edge is raggedy. It's possible (likely?) that I was doing something incorrectly, but thus far, those pull-through sharpeners have not impressed me.
Purchasing a more expensive system is still a possibility down the road.
The Tri-Hone is a great choice, and once you get the hang of freehand sharpening, that setup will serve you well.
Part of the beauty of learning freehanding is that you are no longer dependent upon the accuracies and inaccuracies of a guided system to determine the results of your sharpening effort, it's all on you, lol...!!
Pull-through sharpeners, on the ceramic side, don't do damage to an edge, but on the carbide side, they certainly damage an edge by tearing and deforming the steel along the length of the edge instead of honing steel to an apex, leaving the ragged edge you mentioned. The "sharpness" created is really only just shards of steel which have been left behind by the carbide cutters.
Hope this helps..!
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
That being the case, I'm glad the knife I ran through those sharpeners is horrendous to look at and only cost me about $1.65 out-the-door! Now I have a perfect excuse to take it to the Tri-Hone.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 2:43 pm Pull-through sharpeners, on the ceramic side, don't do damage to an edge, but on the carbide side, they certainly damage an edge by tearing and deforming the steel along the length of the edge instead of honing steel to an apex, leaving the ragged edge you mentioned.
As an aside, I'm thinking the CopperLock that I mentioned in this topic's initial post was intentionally chisel-ground. If so, I'm not going to try to re-profile it.
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Rarely do I change the factory bevel angle(s) unless there's a compelling reason to do so, such reason usually being a severely off-center grind...Dan In MI wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 5:44 pmThat being the case, I'm glad the knife I ran through those sharpeners is horrendous to look at and only cost me about $1.65 out-the-door! Now I have a perfect excuse to take it to the Tri-Hone.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 2:43 pm Pull-through sharpeners, on the ceramic side, don't do damage to an edge, but on the carbide side, they certainly damage an edge by tearing and deforming the steel along the length of the edge instead of honing steel to an apex, leaving the ragged edge you mentioned.
As an aside, I'm thinking the CopperLock that I mentioned in this topic's initial post was intentionally chisel-ground. If so, I'm not going to try to re-profile it.
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
The CopperLock will retain its bevel angles for now. I'll have to confirm that it was ground as intended.
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Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Yessir...makes sense..!!!
I looked up the CopperLock, that's a beautiful knife, Dan..!
Mark
I looked up the CopperLock, that's a beautiful knife, Dan..!
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Apart from a jewelers loupe, another item that comes in handy, especially for guided systems is a digital angle finder, i don't trust some of the angle markings on these kits, might be close, but not accurate. I can get a magnetic base digital angle/protractor finder for the equivalent of $15US including postage, and they are really handy to have in your tool box for other projects around the house. Have a good week everyone.
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
I want to purchase a digital angle finder, such as the Angle Cube, as well.cudgee wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 6:52 am Apart from a jewelers loupe, another item that comes in handy, especially for guided systems is a digital angle finder, i don't trust some of the angle markings on these kits, might be close, but not accurate. I can get a magnetic base digital angle/protractor finder for the equivalent of $15US including postage, and they are really handy to have in your tool box for other projects around the house. Have a good week everyone.
That would be a handy tool for setting the table saw blade angle, in addition to the sharpening kit.
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Mark, this is the one i have, it only cost me $15US dollars on Ebay including delivery and runs on 2 AAA batteries. Is a handy thing to have for many uses. It has a magnetic base so you can rest it on metal surfaces hands free.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 2:46 pmI want to purchase a digital angle finder, such as the Angle Cube, as well.cudgee wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 6:52 am Apart from a jewelers loupe, another item that comes in handy, especially for guided systems is a digital angle finder, i don't trust some of the angle markings on these kits, might be close, but not accurate. I can get a magnetic base digital angle/protractor finder for the equivalent of $15US including postage, and they are really handy to have in your tool box for other projects around the house. Have a good week everyone.
That would be a handy tool for setting the table saw blade angle, in addition to the sharpening kit.
Mark
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
cudgee wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 8:30 pmMark, this is the one i have, it only cost me $15US dollars on Ebay including delivery and runs on 2 AAA batteries. Is a handy thing to have for many uses. It has a magnetic base so you can rest it on metal surfaces hands free.Working Edge wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 2:46 pmI want to purchase a digital angle finder, such as the Angle Cube, as well.cudgee wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 6:52 am Apart from a jewelers loupe, another item that comes in handy, especially for guided systems is a digital angle finder, i don't trust some of the angle markings on these kits, might be close, but not accurate. I can get a magnetic base digital angle/protractor finder for the equivalent of $15US including postage, and they are really handy to have in your tool box for other projects around the house. Have a good week everyone.
That would be a handy tool for setting the table saw blade angle, in addition to the sharpening kit.
Mark
digital cube.png
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Re: Possibly adding to my sharpening kit
Wanted to try the wicked Edge style of sharpening { I'm a sharpening junkie } but was not going to spend an large chunk of cash just to try out the idea of how they work. Would be like buying a car without test driving it. Found one online, a cheap knock off made in China, did not like it at first, but after working out all it's little nuance's really like it. And even with the cheap diamond stones, it gets knives really sharp. I have spent more than i intended, but now i have a really solid sharpening unit, and have worked out a way to use the stones and strops i already have. Some photos, always welcome input. Have a good weekend everyone.
Came in a solid carrying case.
As it came.
With some mods and add on attachments.
Came in a solid carrying case.
As it came.
With some mods and add on attachments.