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Took the plunge

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  • #38942
    Viking
    Participant
    • Topics: 3
    • Replies: 11

    Well guys, I finally took the plunge.  I just ordered the 2017 model Wicked Edge Gen 3 Pro.  I have never owned a wicked edge before, but I have been researching knife sharpeners for over a year now.  It was not easy dropping that amount of money on a knife sharpener, and my wife thinks I am crazy for doing so.

    Now that I have the Gen 3 Pro, what do you guys recommend for accessories and additional stones, lapping films, and strops.  I plan on adding additional accessories as my skill progresses.

    #38945
    Organic
    Participant
    • Topics: 17
    • Replies: 929

    It depends on what your sharpening goals are. Looking for a mirrored edge? Then you’ll likely want the 1500 diamond plate, glass platens, and some lapping films (although you can also get there with strops, it just takes longer). It seems that many people enjoy using the ceramic stones for adding a micro bevel or as a finishing grit. The strops are nice for edge touch ups, putting a convex edge on a knife, or just getting smoother cutting performance.

    Some accessories that I can universally recommend are a jewelers loupe, a USB microscope, a sharpie marker, the Tormek small knife adapter, and an angle cube. I don’t think that you would regret purchasing any of these items.

    That new 2017 model looks really cool! I hope Clay is planning on releasing an upgrade kit for the tool free micro adjustment arms and the new split jaws.

    2 users thanked author for this post.
    #38950
    Viking
    Participant
    • Topics: 3
    • Replies: 11

    Thank you for your response.  I hope to be able to create a sharp, mirrored edge one day.  For now, I’m just going to concentrate on the essentials.  I have a jeweler’s loupe; however, it is only 10X.  Do you think that would be a useful power, or should I get something stronger.  I also plan on getting the angle cube and the 1500 grit stones when I am able to save the money.

    #38955
    MarcH
    Moderator
    • Topics: 74
    • Replies: 2733

    For me when I first was starting to use the Wicked Edge, the best method of monitoring for blade sharpness was simply my finger tips feeling the edge.  After I knew I has putting a sharp cutting edge to my knives then I began looking for a method to see how the edge was being made sharp, “the visual quality of the edge”. First I used a lighted loupe, with some awkwardness, like you’re mentioning then I got an inexpensive USB Microscope I used with a smart phone. Now I use the a USB Mscope, of my liking, with a Laptop I have adjacent to my sharpening station.

    Marc
    (MarcH's Rack-Its)

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #38967
    Organic
    Participant
    • Topics: 17
    • Replies: 929

    Thank you for your response. I hope to be able to create a sharp, mirrored edge one day. For now, I’m just going to concentrate on the essentials. I have a jeweler’s loupe; however, it is only 10X. Do you think that would be a useful power, or should I get something stronger. I also plan on getting the angle cube and the 1500 grit stones when I am able to save the money.

    A 10x loupe will be a lot better than just using the naked eye and I think it would be fine if you don’t want to invest any more right now. You certainly don’t need any scope or loupe to put a great edge on a knife with the WE.

    However, I’ve found that I like having the ability to see the edge at about 50x for macro inspection and also at about 150x or so to see a detail of the scratch pattern up close. Being able to see clearly what is going on close up allows for a more informed sharpening process. It can help you know if you’ve properly apexed the edge, to determine when to advance to the next grit in your sharpening progression, or if you need to go back to a more coarse grit to fix an issue that you had previously overlooked. Also, it’s just fun!

    3 users thanked author for this post.
    #38978
    Mark76
    Participant
    • Topics: 179
    • Replies: 2760

    Welcome to the forum, Viking! Glad you like your WEPS. I think you already got good advice on the accessories, so I won’t repeat that. But if you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

    Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

    3 users thanked author for this post.
    #39017
    Viking
    Participant
    • Topics: 3
    • Replies: 11

    I don’t have it yet.  Ships out on the 19th.  I’m sure I will love it though!

    #39160
    Terry
    Participant
    • Topics: 0
    • Replies: 1

    Would you recommend adding the super fine 1200/1600 ceramic stones along with the micro fine ceramic stones for a mirror finish on a working edge?

    #39165
    Organic
    Participant
    • Topics: 17
    • Replies: 929

    I don’t have any of the ceramic  stones though I would like to get some. Hopefully those who have used them will reply as well.

    I don’t think that the ceramic stones are capable of putting a truly mirrored edge on a knife without stropping or the use of a lapping film afterward. I believe that the edge they produce is reflective, but kind of hazy like a high polish satin finish. The cutting abilities of these  types of edges has been reported to be very good for utility applications.

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #39169
    Mark76
    Participant
    • Topics: 179
    • Replies: 2760

    The ceramic stones will definitely give you a finer edge. But I think Organic is right: you’ll still be able to see some scratches after the 0.6 ceramic stones.

    If you want a true mirror edge, the lapping film is the fastest route. Alternatively, you could strop your bevel, but this requires a little more experience and usually also a bit more time.

    Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

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