This video is worth watching although I don't totally agree with his testing proceedures. The micrographs are enlightening and show poor edge quality prior to the test which may have been addressed prior to testing. Also, most can look at the magnified edge and judge which will have better endurance.
I liked it and found it interesting. I've used at least 4 of them.
What I've learned over the years is: that I'm not capable of holding the knife at exactly the same angle for hundreds or even thousands of strokes, so the whetstone is out for me.
I can see that the Spyderco Sharpmaker is dependent on the user holding a consistent angle on every stroke, and I don't trust myself to be that consistent.
Through use of my current one, (down below) I've learned that I didn't spend nearly enough strokes on the Lanksy to get a burr through all the stone progressions and therefore didn't get a proper edge. After watching this video, I realized that mine didn't come with the detailed directions about setting up the rod to be perfectly parallel with the stone, etc. But that was many years ago, so it's possible that my memory is faulty.
With the Edgepro, I'd have a great edge going and then the blade would rock on the table changing the angle and in one stroke I'd undo what I'd just spent 15 or 20 minutes getting. I also wasn't crazy about the mess with the water stones.
I finally got frustrated enough that I bought the Wicked Edge Pro Pack I for $500, and added a 1200/1600 stone for another $100- $600 total. I sharpened every knife I own, sheath knives, pocket knives, and kitchen knives over a few week period of time. Other than a wicked cut on my finger when I put it where I shouldn't have, I'm the happiest I've ever been on knife sharpness. In my opinion, it eliminates about as much of the human error as possible, short of a machine doing everything for you.
I use a stone to get my knives sharp and a leather honing belt on my small belt sander to polish the edge. Honing with the belt sander seems to produce a longer lasting edge and my knives get shaving sharp.
$900 for a WEPS entails buying the model designed for professional sharpening businesses. It's nowhere near that much for a user model of the best sharpener available today...
I liked it and found it interesting. I've used at least 4 of them.
What I've learned over the years is: that I'm not capable of holding the knife at exactly the same angle for hundreds or even thousands of strokes, so the whetstone is out for me.
I can see that the Spyderco Sharpmaker is dependent on the user holding a consistent angle on every stroke, and I don't trust myself to be that consistent.
Through use of my current one, (down below) I've learned that I didn't spend nearly enough strokes on the Lanksy to get a burr through all the stone progressions and therefore didn't get a proper edge. After watching this video, I realized that mine didn't come with the detailed directions about setting up the rod to be perfectly parallel with the stone, etc. But that was many years ago, so it's possible that my memory is faulty.
With the Edgepro, I'd have a great edge going and then the blade would rock on the table changing the angle and in one stroke I'd undo what I'd just spent 15 or 20 minutes getting. I also wasn't crazy about the mess with the water stones.
I finally got frustrated enough that I bought the Wicked Edge Pro Pack I for $500, and added a 1200/1600 stone for another $100- $600 total. I sharpened every knife I own, sheath knives, pocket knives, and kitchen knives over a few week period of time. Other than a wicked cut on my finger when I put it where I shouldn't have, I'm the happiest I've ever been on knife sharpness. In my opinion, it eliminates about as much of the human error as possible, short of a machine doing everything for you.
I'm halfway competent at sharpening knives and tools freehand. Different knives are best sharpened in different ways. Do you want a polished edge or a bit of "tooth" (for slicing tomatoes, etc.) A diamond hone can make the job much easier on some blades.