OT - Knife Sharpener?

slovelad

any recommendations for a knife sharpener?

i have some that won't cut butter lol

Ozzie_Isaac

Purist will hate this, but I like my Worksharp Ken Onion Edition Sharpener.  Works fast and makes a great edge.

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Work-Sharp-Ken-Onion-Edition-Knife-Sharpener-P505.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw0v_IBRCEzKHK0KiCrKMBEiQA3--1NpaegaU8Q-RzvObo1-DVEOp0c-5hHcyy72V9bdcIYdgaAmVK8P8HAQ

I've done stones, but prefer the Worksharp.  Probably because I am not good at stones and I like power tools.

gdenby

A good ceramic hone and strop w. some buffing compound will do for many knives, assuming the edge isn't beat up.

If the knives are really messed, are there any commercial sharpeners near where you live? Might be less expensive to use one for a few knives, vs. investing in a piece of hardware and learning to use it. Around me, the cost averages about $1/inch.

My base system is an Apex Edge Pro and a couple of Diasharp diamond plates. They don't get used often, as I do have a hone and strop on hand. Tomorrow, they will be getting some use as I work on my daughter's knives that haven't had any attention for about 9 years, and are badly chipped and pitted.

caliking

For an easy option , the Ken Onion Worksharp thing is the bomb.   @The Cen-Tex Smoker did a detailed review (the kind that makes you spend forum $$) some time back. 

Ozzie_Isaac

caliking said:

For an easy option , the Ken Onion Worksharp thing is the bomb.   @The Cen-Tex Smoker did a detailed review (the kind that makes you spend forum $$) some time back. 

Thank goodness he has gotten so busy and stopped reviewing hardware.  He has cost me a lot of $$$.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Still love the Ken onion worksharp. $129 and works like a boss.

HeavyG

slovelad said:

any recommendations for a knife sharpener?

i have some that won't cut butter lol

How much time, effort, and money do you want to put into that?

gmac

Since I started making knives I've changed my opinion. Just throw them out and buy new knives. Maybe once a month or so should be good. I know a guy...

gmac

For me, Japanese waterstones can't be beat but there is work and a learning curve you need to be ready to accept. 

Eggcelsior

gmac said:

For me, Japanese waterstones can't be beat but there is work and a learning curve you need to be ready to accept. 

This. I was looking at the Worksharp, Edgepro, etc and decided on stones because I prefer the technique and manual labor which has a meditative effect due to the process involved and attention to detail needed. I might get a worksharp for my "cheap" knives when doing volume sharpening.

berndcrisp

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Still love the Ken onion worksharp. $129 and works like a boss.

Boss' work?

gdenby

I suppose there's another factor that you should consider.  Are the knives any good to begin with?  Most of the knives I had for years were crummy or mediocre. I had a couple of pull thru manual sharpeners for those. Similar ones can be had at Harbor Freight for around $4.

Once I started buying better knives, I practiced on the old ones. I found that I could put really good edges on them, but they didn't last. I had 1 slicer that dulled before I could cut up a pork loin into chop thickness portions. Those knives are now back to steeling and manual draw thru.

littlerascal56

Used stones for years (have 6 on my bench), but after a lot of sharpening, you need to start over and get the edge back to a nice contour.  Easiest is a belt sander, then buff to "razor sharp, and then strop on leather strap to remove wire edge. A belt sander takes all the work out of it.  The Ken Onion is a nice portable unit, or you can buy one of the small table models that do a great job too.