Derek Arita
01-08-2019, 9:06 PM
Since this is a tool, I thought I'd post this here. Every once in a while, I read a thread asking about knife sharpening machines and jigs. A couple of months ago I got hooked on the Worksharp Ken Onion sharpener, so I got one. As a result, my interest grew and I started doing some reading and watching online. The more I researched, the more I found that Wicked Edge Sharpening Systems were arguably the best out there, so I got one of those.
Now, if you're looking for a "best bang for your buck" kind of sharpener, then I don't think this is the one, as it is not cheap and runs anywhere from a few hundred to just over $1k. That said, you can start out with the basics and then add as you like. If you're the type that wants a close to perfect bevel angle and a mirror polish on your blades, then that's who Wicked Edge is made for. Also, in experienced hands, one can go from dull, to razor sharp, in minutes.
I've been working with this sharpener for just a few weeks now. Although there is a learning curve and Q & A on the forum is encouraged, after only a few knives under my belt, I've been able to produce mirror edges or bevels, with the ability to whittle hair, while holding only one side of the strand, which is one of the ultimate tests of sharp knives. I'm truly not tooting my horn, but rather letting folks know that even someone of my limited dexterity can make this sharpener work.
Here's a couple of pics. One of the system itself and another of a very cheap chef knife that I picked up at Walmart to practice on. Hopefully, you'll be able to make out the mirror edge on the knife.
https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/h151/derekarita1/0/d7d8c8f5-59ac-43ad-b2b6-c5c7e848145c-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://beta.photobucket.com/u/derekarita1/p/d7d8c8f5-59ac-43ad-b2b6-c5c7e848145c) https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/h151/derekarita1/0/a8ffd0a4-d40b-4acf-81f8-af3cc69d44e2-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://beta.photobucket.com/u/derekarita1/p/a8ffd0a4-d40b-4acf-81f8-af3cc69d44e2)
Now, if you're looking for a "best bang for your buck" kind of sharpener, then I don't think this is the one, as it is not cheap and runs anywhere from a few hundred to just over $1k. That said, you can start out with the basics and then add as you like. If you're the type that wants a close to perfect bevel angle and a mirror polish on your blades, then that's who Wicked Edge is made for. Also, in experienced hands, one can go from dull, to razor sharp, in minutes.
I've been working with this sharpener for just a few weeks now. Although there is a learning curve and Q & A on the forum is encouraged, after only a few knives under my belt, I've been able to produce mirror edges or bevels, with the ability to whittle hair, while holding only one side of the strand, which is one of the ultimate tests of sharp knives. I'm truly not tooting my horn, but rather letting folks know that even someone of my limited dexterity can make this sharpener work.
Here's a couple of pics. One of the system itself and another of a very cheap chef knife that I picked up at Walmart to practice on. Hopefully, you'll be able to make out the mirror edge on the knife.
https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/h151/derekarita1/0/d7d8c8f5-59ac-43ad-b2b6-c5c7e848145c-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://beta.photobucket.com/u/derekarita1/p/d7d8c8f5-59ac-43ad-b2b6-c5c7e848145c) https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/h151/derekarita1/0/a8ffd0a4-d40b-4acf-81f8-af3cc69d44e2-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://beta.photobucket.com/u/derekarita1/p/a8ffd0a4-d40b-4acf-81f8-af3cc69d44e2)