Knife Sharpener

[RobsanX]

I keep bouncing back and forth between a Chef's Choice 1520 (for European and Asian knives) and an Edgepro Apex.

I don't plan to make a hobby of knife sharpening, but I want some versatility, and I want a sharp edge.

Anything I should know to push me in one direction or another?

 

[GB]

The Edgepro Apex is amazing. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a sharp edge.

I am not a fan of the electric sharpeners. They scratch the blade and remove more metal than is needed.

 

[Andy M.]

Of the two, edge pro is the clear choice. You should also investigate other manual sharpening systems which, like the Edge pro, allow you to sharpen at different angles.

 

[RobsanX]

The Edgepro Apex is amazing. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a sharp edge.

I am not a fan of the electric sharpeners. They scratch the blade and remove more metal than is needed.

Didn't I read that you had trouble with yours at first? How did you overcome those issues?

 

[GB]

No I would not say I had trouble. There is a definite learning curve. You will not do it perfectly the fist time you use it, but it is easy to figure out and in no time you will be sharpening like a pro. It just takes a little practice, time, and patience.

 

[gadzooks]

Sergeant Luddite, reportin' fer duty, Cap'n! I'm still using a ceramic stick sold briefly by Chicago Cutlery and a fine steel. Since my knives are not anything fancy, these seem adequate to my needs. I had a Case Sharp Stick ceramic, but gave it to a friend. I miss it a bit, as it was thin enough to do serrated bread knives. Oh, well...

 

[DramaQueen]

This is the one I have. It's not Rachel Ray but it is a Furi and looks just like this. I paid about 100.00 for it and it makes the most incredible edge on my knives. I have to have very sharp knives.

Professional Sharpening Tools - Furi, Rachael Ray Ozitech Diamond Fingers Pro Knife Sharpener, FUR836 - Wholesale - Bulk - Discount

 

[RobsanX]

This is the one I have. It's not Rachel Ray but it is a Furi and looks just like this. I paid about 100.00 for it and it makes the most incredible edge on my knives. I have to have very sharp knives.

Professional Sharpening Tools - Furi, Rachael Ray Ozitech Diamond Fingers Pro Knife Sharpener, FUR836 - Wholesale - Bulk - Discount

I watched a video on that one, and it looks pretty sweet for $20. However, I happen to agree that the best edge is a double bevel edge, and that sharpener doesn't provide that. Over time, single bevel sharpening will reduce the performance of your knife. Here is a diagram that demonstrates why:

With the Edgepro, or even the Chefs Choice you can create double bevel edges that don't thicken over time.

 

[jpaulg]

This is the one I have. It's not Rachel Ray but it is a Furi and looks just like this. I paid about 100.00 for it and it makes the most incredible edge on my knives. I have to have very sharp knives.

Professional Sharpening Tools - Furi, Rachael Ray Ozitech Diamond Fingers Pro Knife Sharpener, FUR836 - Wholesale - Bulk - Discount

Of the mechanical device sharpeners the Furi fingers are on of the best.

Whetstones will get your knives much sharper. I have used both.

 

[DramaQueen]

Actually I gave you all the wrong URL for this sharpener. It is not the 20.00 one shown but this one:
Furi Rachel Ray Tech Edge II Pro Sharpening System - Furi Knife Sharpeners

I got it at Sur LeTable.

 

[jpaulg]

Actually I gave you all the wrong URL for this sharpener. It is not the 20.00 one shown but this one:
Furi Rachel Ray Tech Edge II Pro Sharpening System - Furi Knife Sharpeners

I got it at Sur LeTable.

I know the system and I've used it. It's good and very easy to use, but whetstones give a better result.

 

[Rob Babcock]

You'd be hard pressed to do better than the Edge Pro Apex. There's a bit of a learning curve to get really good, but the first knife you ever sharpen may well be the sharpest knife you're ever seen up til now. Once you really learn the Apex you'll get edges that really can't be beat by any other method I know of (although that may require stepping up to a glass blank & some very fine polish tapes, and/or post-it-notes and compound).

An EP is essentially the same as freehanding but more consistent.

 

[Dr.Awkward]

Consider this another EdgePro endorsement. I bought my Apex before I owned a single good blade (figuring that I'd learn proper care first, then buy the good stuff one blade at a time) and have never regretted it.

You know, before I learned to sharpen, I kept one knife in the block that I never used, so that I could pull out a "factory sharp" blade in case of company or special occasion! Of course, I recently dug out the "never used" knife to find that the factory edge is a sad, sad loser compared to the sort of edge I can do now with a bit of patience, water and wet rocks!

 

[DramaQueen]

I know the system and I've used it. It's good and very easy to use, but whetstones give a better result.

I can attest to the fact that a whetstone is the best way to sharpen a knife. I just never learned to use one. My father-in-law always sharpened my knives and he was good at using the whetstone. My knives were incredibly sharp. Maybe someday I'll learn the proper way to use one of those stones.

 

[buzzard767]

I've posted this pic before but notice the EdgePro on the left side. You'd be hard pressed to find a sharpener any better than this one for the price. When I want to cut an exact angle it's what I use. For the other 95% it's free handing all the way. The larger stones makes quick work relative to the EP and the variety of stones and angles is unlimited. No matter what method you use, whether it's an electric, pull through, EP, whatever, your knives will be made much sharper if you finish by stropping on chromium oxide charged leather. The before and after difference is simply amazing. If anyone wants to get into free handing, start a thread and ask for recommendations.

 

[GB]

No matter what method you use, whether it's an electric, pull through, EP, whatever, your knives will be made much sharper if you finish by stropping on chromium oxide charged leather.

Hey Buzz. I just started a thread on this here. I am very curious to learn more.

 

[70chevelle]

I just rec'd my Apex Edge Pro a week or so ago. It's fantastic. I've dabbled in stones, but have never really attempted to be successful at it. (Know what I mean??) I purchased a few Japanese knives in December and knew I would have to be able to maintain their sharp edges. I have Chef's choice and Wustoff pull thru sharpeners along with my Henkles steel that I've found I was just 'making due' with. (Henckles knives only!) All of my knives are now extremely sharp, as comparted to their previous state, and I take them to the 800 stone and then the ceramic hone. I haven't even opened the 3000g tapes yet, since I'm still learning. Anyway, it's almost fool proof. My Japanese knives are a little easier to sharpen than some of my my German knives since some of the German knives have deeper bellies, like my Henckles boning knife. Not that the EP doesn't do a fine job on them, it's just not 'as easy'. I'm pretty sure this will start another obsession, seeing that in addition to the dozen kitchen knives I have, I also have a collection of pocket and fixed blade hunting knives that's approaching 150 pieces. I lamented overspending $200 on the EP for about a month. Now that I have it, I wished I would have ordered it earlier.

 

[RobsanX]

Some great testimonials! Thank you everyone for your advice!

On the EP, is it worth buying the coarse stone for reshaping edges? I have a Henckels Pro S 8" Chef's knife that I want to put a 15/20 edge on. Is it better to start the 15 deg. back bevel with a coarse stone?

 

[buzzard767]

Some great testimonials! Thank you everyone for your advice!

On the EP, is it worth buying the coarse stone for reshaping edges? I have a Henckels Pro S 8" Chef's knife that I want to put a 15/20 edge on. Is it better to start the 15 deg. back bevel with a coarse stone?

Yes. You'll need it.

 

[buzzard767]

All of my knives are now extremely sharp, as comparted to their previous state, and I take them to the 800 stone and then the ceramic hone.

This is something that I just don't get. I have a great deal of respect for Ben Dale, but in his video he FINISHES with a 1200 grit Idahone fine ceramic steel. What's with that? The 600 stone used in the video is 2000 grit Japanese and then he goes backwards. The new 800 stones are about 3500 grit. Don't do it. You can screw up up your edge. Use the knife without steeling and when the edge starts to go away renew it with the ceramic steel. Three light passes per side is all you need, and you can do it several times before the knife will have to be resharpened. This applies to both German and Japanese knives.