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Well I have been watching videos and reading, I'm thinking the wicked edge is what I want. Now I just need to save up the coin.

tcb22~

I don't think you'll regret your decision on the Wicked Edge. If you end up with one, please report back on how you like it. It is not a cheap system & you could probably offset some of the cost by sharpening blades for other people. If you desire.

I think we're in the same boat! Time to start saving.

Yep that's where I am with it too.

I sharpened blades by free hand on bench stones for 50 years. I was pretty good at it, but needed to get a better edge for the knives I was selling.
Thanks to Boise loaning me his Edge Pro, I bought one. I will never need any other system.
The issue of holding the blade in place is not an issue with me. You are holding it against a flat surface and a backer, not totally free hand. You do have to use tape for the coarse grits, but is not that big and issue with fine grits (and tune ups).

You can do a circular motion if you want, but I see not good or need in it.

The Edge Pro stones are bigger than Lanskys (and others too) so you get more stroke per stroke.
Not having to mess with a holding fixture certainly saves time. Also some fixtures limit the blade length you can do, or do a good job on.
You can get extra stones in the coarser grits and it is not an issue to mount them on the backer.I use the worn coarse stones to rough off most of the cutting bevel on a brand new unsharpened blade, then use the new one to get final shape.
Some geometry is and issue for me. A hollow ground blade and concave curved edges are a little tougher than a blade ground as it should be (flat and straight).
I have no experience with the Wicked Edge. I do believe that any system will improve your edges over total free hand.

Soft stones and circular motion has no place with a serious blade with higher Rc.
Just my 2 cents.
Tim

Thanks Tim.

The thing I don't like about the gatco is its difficult to get a good hold on a narrower type blade. Example pocket knives and some narrow/slim type fixed blades. The clamp doesn't hold the blad too great and I've noticed with a few blades you can't go below a 19 on each side. If you tried to do say a 15(30 deg total) you actually hit the clamp as well as the blade.

For the time being I have to "profile" at a 19 with the more course stuff. Then after I get a pretty good edge with the clamp rig I switch to my sticks. They do a 20. This is working for me. Working well actually but always have a open mind about a better mouse trap.

Seems the edge pro and or wicked edge would cut down on sharpening time. I don't really mind sharpening my stuff...mainly because I pretty much keep my stuff sharp. About all I normally have to do is touch my blades up. Lots of my friends notice how sharp my blades are and ask me to sharpen them. Hate to tell them no since we all try to help each other out. So a edge pro or such could be a big help.

Kaleb, the Edge Pro uses a blade stop and I've found the need to be creative when sharpening narrow blade since the stone does hit the clamp when attempting shallow cut angles. I'm talking small pocket knife narrow. Taping on a narrower stop was a my simple fix.

We moved into a new place and I have the room to leave my Edge Pro set up, now that's the ticket. Everytime my hunting blade sees a critter it is simple to hit a couple of strokes with the Edge Pro. Of late I've been leaving on the 220 stone and it has been delivering some impressive edges. I run 20 degrees and bump it up a tad for the final strokes.

Rick still doesn't realize that small pocket knives are for cleaning finger nails and stripping wire. A couple swipes on any stone is adequate for that.
Just kiddin around. Thanks for putting me on to the Edge Pro.
I have been doing 24 degrees and going to 600 grit and then a leather strop. I am afraid to use the 1000 grit.
Tim

Never figured you for a fraidy! cat, I have gone to 9 micron sheet placing a mirror finish on the edge but was just showing off. Can't say the edge was noticeably better and it sure took more time.

That's true....

For some reason I try to keep a pocket knife razor sharp. Not really nessicary but I find myself sharpening my knife when we are just standing around the kitchen or talking in the living room. We've always got a knife or 5 laying on the island in the kitchen and I just mess with them.....sometimes just to unwind before bed or while waiting on supper......?

I carry my pocket knives daily, so why is it you believe they should have an inferior edge? And just to add further fuel to the fire, I used my Brend2 pocket knife to skin out a bear and it worked great.

I really like the handle on my Menefee knives, the Heron-isk design may be my all time favorite. The set Tim Olt built me with the elk antler I supplied are nice and fat and work super while wearing gloves, heck they also work great without gloves.

I'm sure there are other good systems out there,but I won't be trading in my Edge Pro anytime soon! Monashee

Tim you have to try the 2000grit tapes. Shaving is one thing but fileting a piece of newspaper in half will sure get a potential customers attention.

I just finished a S30V blade with ugliest possible handle in orange and black micarta and took the rough profile to 18 then finished at 21 with the tape. The first deer was rather messy, kept nicking stuff with the tip and it was cutting on contact with almost no pressure. By the second deer it was about perfect and after the third it will still take hair off of your arm.

Actually I do keep my pocket knives pretty sharp hand held with bench stones. I just prefer a fixed blade when doing most knife work.
I did damned near complete a pig with my 1 7/8" blade on a small Schrade 3 bladed pocket knife. I usually keep that blade and the middle sized one sharp. The smallest blade is for uses I mentioned above.
I have been able to filet newspaper after 1000 grit and a leather strop.
I also have improved my grinding since starting to use a fixtured system for sharpening. I find the smallest variations with fixtured sharpening.

Rick, I was just kiddin and fishin for that Brend2 story again. Mine is still nib.

Tim

I purchased the Wicked Edge system a year or so ago and it's fantastic. I also purchased the 800/1000gr. diamond stones as well.........they really finish off the edges.

I also just ordered their 'upgrade' kit yesterday which gives a bit more options on edge angles and added smoothness by virtue of their newly designed rods which hold the diamond stone sharpeners.

A bit pricey, but you'll never want nor need for more.

I had Lansky's for years, then upgraded to the Edge Pro, and have not looked back. I need to buy the big glass plate for grinding/leveling stones, but so far I am very pleased with the control over angles, and the results. The last knife I sharpened was a Microtech Socom with S35VN blade, and it put a scary sharp edge on it with no trouble. I may look for something a little different for Kitchen knives, but it will be for quick touch-ups only. The Edge Pro is what I like best, when I want one wicked sharp.

The glass plate from them is 50 bucks, plus shipping. It has a cool ruber ring around it to keep it from slipping on the counter.

I think it is over priced, Ben Dale told me he thought it was overpriced too, but still let me order it I ordered it, because I take my Edge Pro with me, everywhere.

That said, if you are not sharpening all over the place, you can go get a piece of .25" glass anywhere, and us it to flatten your stones. Heck, you may already have one around somewhere! You could also probably split a piece of fuel line, and glue it around th edge, just like they do.

I also think a peice of granite would do the trick, just the same. Find a local flooring guy, he probably has a piece he may give you for just a few bucks, or less.

Larry

You know if you guys by some of this stuff I can get my wicked edge sharpener, just sayin.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...73089/Buy_my_cool_stuff_sale#Post7073089

.....and what you're asking for your entire set-up should just about get you the total package that I mentioned owning in my above post (including the optional 800/1000 grit diamondstones).

Good luck on your sale (I already own 3 Bushmasters) as it looks like you're offering a very good price. Also, I hope you are able to get your Wicked Edge system ASAP.

Good luck!