Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on July 19, 2013 at 9:08

I  reread my post and would like to add I just hit on the basics.  I could talk about the benefits of the Edge Pro for pages but I thought I wouldn't subject anyone to that.  No yet anyway. :) 

One thing I want to make perfectly and completely clear in my  opinion.  I have the highest respect for the free hand sharpeners out there who have mastered the skill over the years.  I am working on my free hand skill now and am seeing improvement.  An Edge Pro like most sharpening systems is best designed for someone who wants the fastes, consistant great performance without much practice.  If the main priority is to keep the cost low I think a great 2 or 3 set of stones totalling $100 max is the road to take.  There are many stone/strop  options within this price.  Good quality stuff too.  Some of the more expensive stones are expensive based on availability I believe.  Stones found only in certain places in the world for example.  I prefer man made products because of this.  Diamond and ceramics are what I'm using now.  Of course these can be used with the edge Pro also.  That's enough for now (again). lol

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on July 19, 2013 at 10:50

I have used the EdgePro sharpening system for the past couple of years now and all of my previous sharpening systems and "tools" have been placed in storage.  I have tried many sharpening systems over the years and the EdgePro surpasses every one of them. 

This system offers a wide variety of stones, including Diamonds, up to and including polishing tapes for the ultimate in edge finishing.  The EdgePro system is enjoyable to use and is virtually "fool proof" if basic instructions from the included brochure are followed.

The EdgePro system is well worth the initial investment it costs and delivers everything it promises in a fine sharp edge.

I can hand sharpen with the best of them, and did so for many years, so I do not "need" the EdgePro, or anything else, but I like what it does and the results I get.  Besides, it is just plain fun to use.   

Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on July 19, 2013 at 14:53

Good stuff, Jack (Dave, too!)!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the lengths that you have gone to in order to convey your thoughts and experience with the Edge Pro. This is a system I have seriously considered for quite some time now. But the initial cost has proven to be a formidable barrier for me.

After reading your review, Jack, it would appear that the rewards would easily overshadow and outweigh any dollar amount spent on this system? And, after all - You can't put a price on happiness, can you? Really sharp knives make me verrry happy! 

In any event, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the time you have taken to present your thoughts on the Edge Pro for us to consider. Good stuff, my friend!

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on July 19, 2013 at 16:00

Glad you liked what you read Ron.  Just in case you start shopping this afternoon let me offer two recommendations of places to purchase.  I don't make money from either.  I haven't compared prices lately but 3 years ago buying from Ben (Edge Pro) was no any different than any of the resellers.  Therefore I would buy from Edge Pro inc. just to be closer to the source and establish a relationship with the inventor.  Other than that I'd recommend chefknivestogo.com.  This site is all about two primary things.  High quality kitchen cutlery and high quality sharpening systems, stones, strops, accessories, etc.  They also have a forum for discussing things, asking questions, etc.  I recommend them highly.  Be prepared for the prices to match the quality though.  I am not an expert in quality of all the different sharpening stones but they are and they haven't told me anything that hasn't lived up to the information they gave.  I trust them.  About the Edge Pro though they have several accessories that are very helpful with the EP.  One is a 5/16" drill stop collar.   You use this regarding keeping the angle accurate when progressing through stones that are different thickness.  You may already have one of these things in your drill bit tools.  Another nice item is a 1" spring to make changing stones faster and easier.  It's already easy. This is just a little quicker.  One other item is an "angle cube".  I wanted one of these for a while but just didn't need it.  When I found out I could use it to set the angle on my circular saw I got one.  It's very very handy but if it's worth $35 is up to the individual.  The one thing you do need is the collar.  I say that because it's $5 max.T

Another site to buy stones is congresstools.com.  This is where to get the $5 stones I mentioned. I recommend the "moldmaster" type stones.  The lower grit stones cut very fast.  They leave a very nice looking bevel and a VERY sharp edge.  These are oil stones but I use them dry.  They come in several sizes but the EP uses 1"x6"x1/8".  I recommend getting the stones that are 1/4" thick so they last longer.  However these aren't mounted on aluminum blanks needed to mount in the EP.  I bough the blank material at Lowe's and cut my own and glued the stones to them.  Lots of people do this.   Aluminum cuts real easy and you can shape them with a file.  I have a Dremel which is easier.  Holy crap, Dremel, another needed item in any home.  How bout we save that for another discussion. LOL

Ron Cooper said:

Good stuff, Jack (Dave, too!)!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the lengths that you have gone to in order to convey your thoughts and experience with the Edge Pro. This is a system I have seriously considered for quite some time now. But the initial cost has proven to be a formidable barrier for me.

After reading your review, Jack, it would appear that the rewards would easily overshadow and outweigh any dollar amount spent on this system? And, after all - You can't put a price on happiness, can you? Really sharp knives make me verrry happy! 

In any event, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the time you have taken to present your thoughts on the Edge Pro for us to consider. Good stuff, my friend!

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on July 19, 2013 at 16:16

Thanks, Jack!

I will definitely give serious consideration to your suggestions. And, again, I appreciate the time you have taken to point me in the right direction! 

Cheers, my friend!

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 6, 2013 at 0:39

I looked at a knife (wharncliff) I sharpened with the EP a long time ago.  I decided to touch it up on bench stones.  I used a 3"wide stone.  The blade edge is just under 3" so it is perfect.   I can sharpen the entire edge without moving the blade from heel to tip like I would need to if the stone were 2" wide or narrower.  I could see the center of the blade was not making contact with the stone.  The edge had a very small amount of recurve or hawkbill shape to it.  I believe this was caused by me spending more time with the EP stones making contact in the middle of the blade.  EP standard stones are 1" wide.  This is not a flaw in the EP design.  It was a flaw in my technique.  With 1" wide blades or the 1/2" wide blades you can easily sharpen hawkbill blades because the stone can get into the concave shape of the edge.  But when sharpening straight (wharncliff) edge or standard edges I (we) need to stroke the edge in long strokes covering as much edge as possible to spread the steel removal over the entire edge instead of more steel being removed from the center (example) of the blade.

I wanted to point this out to anyone who hadn't given the issue much thought.  I've been using the EP for over 3 years and never thought about this in this detail until now.  As I said this is not a flaw in the sharpener.  In fact it can be a benefit.  I took a fixed blade with a standard blade with a belly and created a recurve edge from the heel to about where the belly curve began.    I belive the "S" shape of the edge could be a very effective tool in some circumstances.  Doing this with the EP is easy where doing it on bench stones 2" wide and wider would be impossible.  Maybe this little tip will help someone and if you have any questions please ask.

To explain my sharpening preference I like the EP for re-profiling an edge and sharpening it when a good sharp knife is what I want.  But for the quick touch up I much prefer bench stones.  On the edges I get very sharp with the EP I will refine the edge on bench stones if I want the edge hair whittling sharp.  I can "feel" the edge on stone clearer this way.  I'm not sure why but maybe it is my fingers on one hand being on the blade spine.  Removing the really small or even microscopic  burr is also easier for me.

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 17, 2013 at 11:15

Just got a new pocketknife and needed to re-profile it.  The edge angles were high.  I started to re-profile it using DMT 8" bench stones.  It was going well but I had no idea what angle I was putting on the edge.  I can tell if it's really low or really high but I can't tell if it's a 30 or 40 degree edge by looking at it.  So I used the EP to set the bevel at a 40 degree inclusive edge angle.  This will serve as my edge angle and if I want to lower the angle a little higher on the edge I can later.  I did end up doing this.  Then I used a soft strop to form a smooth convex bevel on the knife with an almost mirror finish.

I've had the EP for over 3 years and am  comfortable with using it.  I'm not as proficient at free hand sharpening yet so that doesn't feel as "at home" as using the EP for me.  But for a completely controlled re-profiling I like the EP because I know the angles and can easily center the edge getting even bevels on both sides.  I do like to finish the edge free hand as far as the sharpness is concerned.  Just feels more comfortable using light strokes for the final touch.  But for the quickest and most accurate re-profiling of an edge I like the Edge Pro.