Alan

It seems you’re looking to to advance your outcomes. I suggest you upgrade the WE100 first.

In order to use an angle cube, however you learn to use it you, to adjust for the angle precision a cube affords, I recommend that you upgrade to micro-adjusters: https://wickededgeusa.com/products/ball-joints-with-micro-adjustment

In order to do what…[Read more]

I use those four grits, (4/2/1/0.5µ) on cow leather with no issues. I thoroughly wipe down the sharpened blade with rubbing alcohol before using the strops and also between grit changes. This helps keep my strops clean for a very long time. Eventually, when the strops get black and shiny I wipe/scrub the strops with rubbing alcohol on a shop…[Read more]

Both models are the top model in their series. They are comparable in functionality and efficiency with some minor differences in the components.  In the hands of an experienced user the same quality results can be expected with either model

The WE66 is more compact which may be cramped for some users. The Gen 3 Pro is larger, more spacious and…[Read more]

I had to look at a few of the new product photos to see what you meant.  The new version has only one pair of holes for the height position key.

I don’t know how different the hole height position is from the previous version, so can’t say for sure, but my experience is that there’s only a small change from one position to another, whether you…[Read more]

No worries…the W.E. inscribed angle delineation are matched or calibrated, so-to-speak, to a blade, I believe, that is 5/8″ above the center of the jaw tops. For any other clamping situation the demarcation are just an approximation or indicator. A properly zeroed angle cube is the only true way to determine your relative stone angle settings.…[Read more]

Welcome to the W.E. Forum wilson. I suggest you subscribe to the Wicked Edge You Tube Channel. There are answers there to all your questions.

Has anyone tried fine grit oil stones, or whetstones for this alloy?

Which stroke direction works for each user is a subjective thing.  For whatever reason, one might work better for you than others and that’s fine. Clay did some tests awhile back and found that under higher magnifications, edge leading strokes seemed to leaved a less jagged apex.  I had argued this point for several years as I had experienced s…[Read more]

Edge leading strokes will probably slash lapping films. Do to the nature of the thin plastic-like film, edge trailing, that is up and off strokes, like used with strops are recommended with this medium, also.

Seems to me that 5/32″ is less than 1/4″ (8/32″).  It ought to fit in the 1/4″ jaws.  In fact it ought to fit in the standard jaws.  Are we miscommunicating or is this another case of me being too old?  Seems to happen a lot lately.  Maybe you meant 5/16″?

5/29/2023: Asking price lowered to $185.00 includes shipping.

To quote Ret Det Joe Kenda, “my, my my”. You are down the RH.

Once you add a scope to the routine it means you can really scrutinize your efforts. Working with a scope I began to see the inconsistencies in my efforts. Checking and making micro-fine angle adjustments is my way to monitor my stone and knife positioning is rock stable. Also, I work…[Read more]

Yes, order the emulsions and the strop blanks separately to make that 2/1 pair.

Yes, the logic is the pair the finer cmpds with the smoother leathers. I’ve read there are natural silicas or particles in cow hide making it inherently scratchy. This limits cow hides ultimate smoothness. Too scratchy for the finer grit cmpds??? I’ve also wanted to…[Read more]

I’d add finer grits, like 2µ/1µ on new leather strops.

This is the Rabbit Hole…. I use simply a 4µ/2µ on cow following every stone progression on every knife. That strop pair following good stonework done with an attention to detail gives me a very nicely polished bevel and very sharp edge. If you want more than this, you can increase the grit progressions, stone progressions and mediums you use w…[Read more]

For stropping, IMO, the most important contributor is your preparation. Good stropping will not enhance or bring out the shine and sharpness of an unfinished knife edge.

I believe good stropping technique is key. More-so than the strop type. I prefer to strop in a mostly vertical, up and off, edge-trailing strokes, with moderate applied finger…[Read more]

The strop mediums themselves range from smooth to smoother:    Cow leather> Kangaroo leather> Microfiber.

I try to apply and use the finer grit strop compounds to the smoother strop mediums.

As strop compounds go, I found the pastes are drier and tend to flake off the strops with use. The emulsions are a smoother milky liquid and easier to a…[Read more]

I bought a WorkSharp 3000 for sharpening plane blades, thinking that it would also speed up the process of sharpening ceramic knives as well.  Haven’t tried it yet, but the principle of higher grits and low pressure makes a lot of sense.  Thanks guys, for reminding me of a lesson learned five years ago.  I’ll have to give it a try.

I’ve been Wicked Edging for about 12 years and I have both the Pro with the Gen 3 vise as well as an older setup with the Gen 1 vise and I’ve found solutions for every knife I’ve been asked to sharpen, from itty-bitty little pen knives to 12″ jerky knives to an Alaskan Ulu.  Some have required the assemblage of some gadgetry, but I’ve never…[Read more]