My new Edgepro Apex knife sharpener

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My new Edgepro Apex knife sharpener

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:09:52 AM EDT

I can't sharpen a knife if my life depended on it. There's no way I can hold a consistent angle, and everything I tried to do turned out like crap. Some people have a gift doing this freehand, but I'm not one of them. I've tried a few different sharpening tools/jigs, but didn't get good results from them either. It was time to go with one of the most-recommended setups on the market, the Edgepro. I really like the versatility and just all of the great comments it has gotten on the web. This is what it looks like out of the box and set up:

You can see the thing in use on Edgepro's website. There are more stones in this kit than you'll probably need, but I figured I might as well try it. The very first kitchen knife I did came out razor sharp with relatively minimum effort. It takes some getting used to when the knife is on the right side and you're using your left hand to work the stone, but I'm sure it'll get easier.

Does it work?

Yeah, I'd say so.

That didn't happen while sharpening - it's not the machine's fault. I was wiping the edge off between grits and got myself twice like a complete moron.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:15:03 AM EDT

[#1]

So, short learning curve?

I've been planning to buy one for some time, but keep putting it off.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:15:42 AM EDT

[#2]

Damn I want one of those.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:19:04 AM EDT

[#3]

I have a tri stone and this looks better

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:24:23 AM EDT

[#4]

i have a spiderco sharpmaker. i've been pretty happy with it. a lot of my knives are hawkbills and many have serrated blades or partially serrated.

any comments on this compared with the sharpmaker? does it work on hawkbills? does it work on serrated blades?

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:24:46 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

So, short learning curve?

I've been planning to buy one for some time, but keep putting it off.

Yes - short learning curve. I watched some of the videos on their website, and it was pretty straightforward. I'm pretty sure there'll be room for improvement, but I'm very happy for now.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:25:18 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

i have a spiderco sharpmaker. i've been pretty happy with it. a lot of my knives are hawkbills and many have serrated blades or partially serrated.

any comments on this compared with the sharpmaker? does it work on hawkbills? does it work on serrated blades?

It'll work on serrated, but not on hawkbills.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:27:15 AM EDT

[#7]

I use the Gatco knife sharpening system with great results. Only thing is that you have to buy two additional stones. The finest stone that the red box kit comes with is a fine, and you need to also purchase a very fine and ceramic stone. After that it's a breeze to get a razor sharp knife that shaves your arm. I use it for my pocket and hunting knives. The lansky system is similar and while the knife holder looks well built the stones are too narrow.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:32:23 AM EDT

[#8]

that's a great setup and one that i'd like to own someday.

pricey, but I hear they're worth it.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:33:54 AM EDT

[#9]

nice! it really does seem like one of the best out there. it should work well and i've considered one many times. as it is, i already have a tormek and a bunch of hand stones so it's hard to justify another set-up. however, i do like the consistent flat grind of the apex and the various grits. you will eventually use them all - and probably sooner than you think. i suspect you will probably even want to go higher than 1000 at some point.

btw..it's also a good idea to educate any family on the potential dangers from all the sharp stuff you'll now have. one of my gf's was washing a knife and managed to quickly cut the scrubby thing in half as she ran it along the edge. she almost took a gash to the palm.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:34:27 AM EDT

[#10]

thanks for the review. i'll probably do this myself.

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:38:09 AM EDT

[#11]

How much ?

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:40:10 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
How much ?

this...

Posted: 10/29/2010 6:43:08 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I was wiping the edge off between grits and got myself twice like a complete moron.

Good work on identifying the problem.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:09:24 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
How much ?

this...

$235 for the Apex 4 kit.

It is a great system, but I'm one of those folks that like freehanding and belt sanders. I won't discount the effectiveness of the Edge Pro though. Certainly in the top 3 of guided systems available. If any of you folks are Knifeforums members, feel free to stop by the Keeping Sharp section. I'm the mod there (Simms65).

David

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:13:04 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I was wiping the edge off between grits and got myself twice like a complete moron.

Good work on identifying the problem.

I had a suspicion.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:22:30 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
I use the Gatco knife sharpening system with great results. Only thing is that you have to buy two additional stones. The finest stone that the red box kit comes with is a fine, and you need to also purchase a very fine and ceramic stone. After that it's a breeze to get a razor sharp knife that shaves your arm. I use it for my pocket and hunting knives. The lansky system is similar and while the knife holder looks well built the stones are too narrow.

The gatco diamond system is a great system. I use it to set my angles. I use spyderco ceramics free hand to finish the edge and a old leather belt with buffing compound to polish the edge if desired.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:26:56 AM EDT

[#17]

I have an Edge-Pro, pretty good stuff for straight edges. Not so good for serrated. The problem, the guy suggests sharpening the back of the edge, ie the non-serrated edge. But according to Benchmade, they do not suggest doing that because the hardening is on the serrated edges of their knives.

Personally, I also have a Spyderco Sharpmaker, it will do about 80-90% of what the Edge-Pro does at a lot cheaper price.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:31:14 AM EDT

[#18]

I got the Apex 3 for $199/delivered.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:31:46 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I was wiping the edge off between grits and got myself twice like a complete moron.

Good work on identifying the problem.

I had a suspicion.

Both of you are off my Christmas card list.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:46:27 AM EDT

[#20]

Can I barrow it? JK, looks like I may need one for the same reasons.

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Posted: 10/29/2010 7:47:26 AM EDT

[#21]

what is the long, skinny blue piece for?

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:50:05 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
what is the long, skinny blue piece for?

I think ceramic with a cover

ETA ceramic rod for finishing the edge

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:53:03 AM EDT

[#23]

It'e easy to get scratches along the sides of longer knives, so if you want to keep them shiny (or if they are painted or coated), it's a good idea to tape the sides of the knife as well as the blade table. The Edgepro does a great job and they are great to deal with, the owner/inventor Ben Dale is also great about answering questions.

Posted: 10/29/2010 7:55:29 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
what is the long, skinny blue piece for?

I think ceramic with a cover

ETA ceramic rod for finishing the edge

I thought that was the "sharpening steel." The fine grit stones are for final edge sharpening, and he something that looks like piece of paper that is used for finishing, much like strapping the edge on a leather belt.

Posted: 10/29/2010 8:01:16 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
I use the Gatco knife sharpening system with great results. Only thing is that you have to buy two additional stones. The finest stone that the red box kit comes with is a fine, and you need to also purchase a very fine and ceramic stone. After that it's a breeze to get a razor sharp knife that shaves your arm. I use it for my pocket and hunting knives. The lansky system is similar and while the knife holder looks well built the stones are too narrow.

what angle do you choose for your pocket knives using the Gatco?

Posted: 10/29/2010 8:06:41 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
i have a spiderco sharpmaker. i've been pretty happy with it. a lot of my knives are hawkbills and many have serrated blades or partially serrated.

any comments on this compared with the sharpmaker? does it work on hawkbills? does it work on serrated blades?

It'll work on serrated, but not on hawkbills.

damn i was excited until the no hawkbill part, i have 2 or 3 hawkbills one of them is my EDC, what is it that makes it not work with hawkbills?