GO vs. 130 – Decisions, Decisions
- This topic has 24 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 05/21/2018 at 2:37 pm by
.
-
Jim, welcome to the Wicked Edge Forum. I think the “Cam-Lock” vice is so much simpler, easier and quicker to use then the “screw wedge” vice used in the WE GO. The WE130 also has the split jaws and tension adjustment enabling secure clamping of a wider variety of shaped knives, then the WE GO. Besides that the WE GO also doesn’t have the micro-adjustable angle guide rods. These really allow you to set bevel angles more precisely. The “Cam-Lock” Vice also eliminates the need to measure and compensate for the blade lean associated with the “Screw Wedge” Vice on the WE GO.
Another way you can go and spend in effect the same amount is to buy the Field and Sport Pro. This is $80 more than the WE130 but it does come with the 800/1000 grit pair in the kit and it also comes with a carry case. The F&S Pro can be drilled to mount on a mounting base with just about the same effort it would take to mount the WE130.
The bottom line is they are both fine sharpeners and you’ll get just what you pay for.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)2 users thanked author for this post.
I’d have to agree with Marc, but I want to add a few of my own comments.
You need not be concerned about kitchen knives with full-flat grinds. The included angle is very low on most kitchen knives and I never had a problem clamping them up in the old vise.
The two Spydercos I have have FFG angles of less than 4 degrees inclusive. There are a number of ways to deal with this. One is to clamp the blade with the left side (fixed jaw) vertical and the right side jaw splayed out to match the right side of the blade. Then set your angles to account for the difference. Add half the angle to the right side and subtract half the angle from the left side. The simplest solution (and used by almost everyone) is to pad the sides of the blade with tape or chamois and clamp it as close to vertical as you can. No big deal.
That said, I use my Gen 3 and Gen 3 Pro rigs (I have three rigs on three bases) almost exclusively now and only switch back to the old one for older attachments that don’t work on the new vises. The Gen 3 vises are so effective, they turn the clamping issue into a no-brainer. The price you pay is a little less flexibility -needing a second set of jaws for thicker blades.
If I had to pick a feature in deciding between systems today, it would be to choose one with the micro-adjust feature. The Gen 3 vise is just the cherry on top, but I’d have to decide if the vise upgrade and two-inch longer rods are worth the $174 extra cost over the WE120.
A little background info: I am a hobbyist who probably sharpens 100 to 200 knives per year. Eighty to ninety percent are kitchen knives. As an amateur, I accept no payment for sharpening and do so only for friends and relatives. I’m retired, moderately disabled and live a sedentary, care-taker lifestyle. Sharpening gives me satisfaction because it demands full-time focus and produces something none of my acquaintances can do. I also do some knife repair/restoration and a little knifemaking – again, only for my own satisfaction. If you can see knife sharpening as a hobby you’d like to take seriously, buy the best rig you can justify. If you don’t, you’ll probably wish you had.
I don’t see it mentioned much, but the fact that the GO comes with a pair of 200/600 stones is a little inconvenient. If you want to upgrade your stone selection by adding 400 grit, you’d have to buy a pair of 400/600 stones. Or wait until the 200/600 stones wear out (two to three years?) before replacing them with 100/200’s and 400/600’s. Another argument for buying the WE120 or WE130.
6 users thanked author for this post.
Jim, welcome to the Wicked Edge Forum. I think the “Cam-Lock” vice is so much simpler, easier and quicker to use then the “screw wedge” vice used in the WE GO. The WE130 also has the split jaws and tension adjustment enabling secure clamping of a wider variety of shaped knives, then the WE GO. Besides that the WE GO also doesn’t have the micro-adjustable angle guide rods. These really allow you to set bevel angles more precisely. The “Cam-Lock” Vice also eliminates the need to measure and compensate for the blade lean associated with the “Screw Wedge” Vice on the WE GO. Another way you can go and spend in effect the same amount is to buy the Field and Sport Pro. This is $80 more than the WE130 but it does come with the 800/1000 grit pair in the kit and it also comes with a carry case. The F&S Pro can be drilled to mount on a mounting base with just about the same effort it would take to mount the WE130. The bottom line is they are both fine sharpeners and you’ll get just what you pay for.
Thanks Mark for the response. You makes some great points. Definitely leaning toward the 130 over the GO. I had not thought about the F&S Pro. You’re basically getting the 800/1000 at a slight discount but adding the carrying bag. The bag is actually appealing to me. I might need to wait a bit longer but this might be a great option.
Thanks again for the advise.
1 user thanked author for this post.
Jim, If I understand you correctly, you may run into issues if you precisely profile a knife’s bevel angle with any of the WEPS then do touch ups on free-hand stones. I don’t care how good a “free-hand sharpener” you may be, you’ll never not change the sharpening angle some from the precision of the “fixed-angle” sharpening device. You’ll find your self removing and wasting steel as you move back and forth between the two different sharpening methods. Even those people who do kitchen touch ups with a knife steel or ceramic rod see some bevel angle change when inspected under magnification. Even though it may be more of the nature of a “Micro-bevel” addition.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)2 users thanked author for this post.
I don’t see it mentioned much, but the fact that the GO comes with a pair of 200/600 stones is a little inconvenient. If you want to upgrade your stone selection by adding 400 grit, you’d have to buy a pair of 400/600 stones. Or wait until the 200/600 stones wear out (two to three years?) before replacing them with 100/200’s and 400/600’s. Another argument for buying the WE120 or WE130.
I overlooked that aspect Tom, your so right on about the included stones and grit progression.
Marc
(MarcH's Rack-Its)1 user thanked author for this post.
I think Tom has it right; If you just want a sharp knife to use then the WE50 (GO) is a great rig and will accomplish that job. It will take a bit of extra work to clamp knives, especially the flat ground varieties, and making small angle adjustments will be comparably more difficult, but this is still a very versatile sharpening tool that can achieve very good results with additional stones and strops.
If you’re they type of person who is sharpening for the enjoyment of it all or someone who is chasing that ever elusive sharpest edge yet, then you should invest in the WE130 or similar setup. Based on what you’ve stated, I think you’d be happier with the higher end system. That said, if you plan to touch up all of your blades freehand anyway, the WE GO may be the more practical choice. The extra ease of clamping the knife and the ability to make fine adjustments in the angles really come in most handy when you’re re-sharpening / touching up a knife that has already been sharpened on the WE. If you’re not going to be doing that very often, then it would be hard to justify the extra expense of the higher end setup.
3 users thanked author for this post.
I don’t see it mentioned much, but the fact that the GO comes with a pair of 200/600 stones is a little inconvenient. If you want to upgrade your stone selection by adding 400 grit, you’d have to buy a pair of 400/600 stones. Or wait until the 200/600 stones wear out (two to three years?) before replacing them with 100/200’s and 400/600’s. Another argument for buying the WE120 or WE130.
I overlooked that aspect Tom, your so right on about the included stones and grit progression.
I don’t think it would be an issue for me on the GO. I would use the 200/600 and then move onto the 800/1000 and up.
Right now on my Shapton Glass Stones, I typically start at 500 on maintained knives followed by a 2000 and then 6000. I don’t think I would ever really need the 400 on the GO if I already had the 200/600. The jump from 200 to 600 is not that big, IMO.
1 user thanked author for this post.
I think Tom has it right; If you just want a sharp knife to use then the WE50 (GO) is a great rig and will accomplish that job. It will take a bit of extra work to clamp knives, especially the flat ground varieties, and making small angle adjustments will be comparably more difficult, but this is still a very versatile sharpening tool that can achieve very good results with additional stones and strops. If you’re they type of person who is sharpening for the enjoyment of it all or someone who is chasing that ever elusive sharpest edge yet, then you should invest in the WE130 or similar setup. Based on what you’ve stated, I think you’d be happier with the higher end system. That said, if you plan to touch up all of your blades freehand anyway, the WE GO may be the more practical choice. The extra ease of clamping the knife and the ability to make fine adjustments in the angles really come in most handy when you’re re-sharpening / touching up a knife that has already been sharpened on the WE. If you’re not going to be doing that very often, then it would be hard to justify the extra expense of the higher end setup.
Hey Organic,
Thanks for the response and thoughts. I am a person who just enjoys the process of sharpening while at the same time it’s being a necessity. I have never chased the ultimate sharp edge and have never really wanted of needed a polished bevel. Although it could be fund to achieve? I mainly just want a good sharp working edge. I don’t have to be able to whittle hair but I can get a blade to that point by free hand. In terms of justifying the expense of the WE 130, I don’t mind spending a little more to get some better usability, convenience and precision. Although I will need to probably sell a couple knives to fund the 130. That’s easy though. I have plenty. I made a deal with myself early this year that I would not spend any “new” money on knives and sharpening. If I want something new, something needs be sold or traded to acquire it. So far, I’m sticking to it. My wife thanks me! 🙂
You may have issues depending on how accute an angle you like/want to sharpen at. There is a low angle adapter, but I don’t think it works with the newest vise.
1 user thanked author for this post.
3 inch folders are typically no problem as long as the blades aren’t narrow like on traditional slip joint folders. Take a look back through the forum and you will find hundreds of photos of EDC style folders that have been sharpened on the WE with great success.
1 user thanked author for this post.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.