2016 Pro Pack 1
- This topic has 39 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12/24/2021 at 12:19 pm by
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Steve, the WE100 is an entry level sharpener. The Pro Pack 1 is a better equip and accessorized model then just the basic WE100. It is equipped with a decent selection of sharpening stones and a few other accessory features. It utilizes the basic standard vise clamping system with angle adjustments to 1/2° increments. There is no ability to make fine angle adjustments with this model setup.
There are some minor cosmetic or appearance differences and the rotating joints or swivel ball ends on the guide rods have improved over the years, between the 2016 version and the 2020-2021 version of the WE100. Still, the functionality and operation are identical between the older model and the newest model. They have the same precision and manufactured quality. I don’t think the differences in the older vs the newer Pro Pack 1 is worth that difference in price you stated.
The WE100 can be upgraded at a later time to improve it’s functionality and adjustability. Many accessories are available.
Marc
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Thank you very much for the quick response. That is exactly what I needed to know. I will move forward with the 2016 model.
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When you get your sharpener cover the “Ball-Joints” with something like the cut off finger of a glove, to protect the “Ball-Joint” from diamond dust and metal dust.
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Steve, it’ll take a good 8-10 knives worth of sharpening to break in the sharpening stones. During that break in period the stones will shed and lose loose and excess abrasives and plating. The stones will seem to be very messy. They’ll start with a rougher cruder scratch pattern. By the end of their break in period the scratch patterns become cleaner, more uniform and predictable in use.
The 8-10 knife, stone break in period, is about the same length of time it requires many new users to get the basics down for using the W.E. and to figure out how to utilize some of the basic sharpening strokes and develop a sharpening technique. Save your good or better knives for when your stones are broken in and you have a pretty good idea of what to do to sharpen them and how to do it correctly.
The single most important sharpening accessory besides a digital angle cube is a USB digital microscope. These are two tools that are extremely helpful for me to sharpen knives well, repeatedly.
The Wicked Edge Knowledge Base is an extremely helpful information source. Also there are many You Tube videos, both good and bad ones, posted by W.E. users. Some are helpful, others not so much. Also a well worded “Google” search including the key words “Wicked Edge Forum” can yield multiple forum posts, both recent and older ones that you may find helpful and useful.
Last, I’ll share is the WE120 uses the Standard Vise clamping system. This requires some practice to learn to use that well and clamp knives securely. The standard vise has some clamping characteristics you will become familiar with, with experience. There are many good forum posts and a couple good videos that will help you with these challenges.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)Here is a very helpful and informative video for the new W.E. user. Don’t worry about the title. Tom, the video’s maker exhibits and explains several sharpening strokes and basic sharpening techniques very well.
Here is the link to Clay Allison’s channel. Clay Allison is the owner and maker of the Wicked Edge. He has posted many videos you may find helpful both now and later on.
Here is the link to Oldawan Tools to Stay Sharp. (Oldawan is one of the licensed W.E. dealer). Bob has posted some good videos for the WE120 users. These videos are dated but still relevant.
Here is a video posted by our forum regular tcmeyer on clamping the FFG blade in the Standard Vise and correcting for the inherent blade lean associated with this vise style.
Marc
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As I’ve been reading and watching the great resources listed above, I’ve seen several mentions to the concern that Dwight mentioned with metal and diamond dust getting into the mechanism or (in some posts) your lungs. I’ve seen multiple suggestions including adding washers to the bottom of the guide rod, magnets to the base, covers to the joints, Clay even mentioned putting soap suds on the stones while sharpening to contain the dust. How big of an issue is the dust, what is the risk from it, and is there a consensus on how to best address it? Thanks again for all of your help as I try to get up to speed on the basics.
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If you can feel something up high in the back of your throat, behind your nose, you should be wearing a dust mask.
Marc
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My take on it is, why take a chance? It’s not that big of a problem to wear a N95 mask while sharpening knives. Better safe than sorry…
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I found the soap on the sponge more trouble then it was worth. I prefer to keep my diamond stones dry. I don’t wash my stones. I have a few high carbon non-stainless steel knives. This steel dust can rust when it gets wet. For maintenance, I simply wipe the stones clean with a dry shop towel when they appear that a cleaning is needed. If the stones appear to be holding steel I take the shop vacuum to the stones.
I did use magnets years ago to attract the steel dust. I found the magnets got black and furry with the magnetized steel dust. The dust doesn’t wipe off the magnets. It’s attraction to the magnets is very strong. It simply got pushed around the magnets and builds and builds. The magnets only catch and hold what dust falls right close to them. Now I use a shop towel that I wrap around the sharpener’s base then l spread it out to cover everything. All the steel dust falls on the towel and gets trapped. When the towel gets dirty I simply replace it.
I use Radio Control cars axel boots slipped down over the guide rods and covering the ball ends. Every once in a while I still wipe the ball ends clean with a dry shop towel then lubricate the balls with a dry Teflon lubricant suitable for bicycle gear sets.
Here’s a link to W.E. sharpener accessories. The axel boots are shown in photos in “NotSharpEnuff” product sheets.
The accessories and modifications are user’s preference. None of these things are necessary to sharpen your knives well. They are for convenience.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)Steve asked How big of an issue is the dust.
The issue is at its worst when all the Diamond stones are new.
I do not see people in “Wicked Edge” videos wearing face mask. but there is nothing wrong with being safe and wearing a face mask.
I use a small fan with the air moving to my left or to my right so the dust can not just hang in the air right where I am breathing.
If I am out side the wind works just fine.– but that is me.
Steve asked How to best address it
I like Clay’s “soap & water” video.
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