Stephen

[Stephen]

My WE66 finally arrived today and I have to admit I am impressed.  I don’t have a 130 to compare, but the vice jaws grab and hold onto knives with different profiles with ease.  The dial to adjust the angle is, as described, very smooth and very intuitive.  I also like that the depth key is just for smaller knives.  Anything larger just sits in the base of the vice.  I’m sure it’s just a matter of time, but when I use the depth key I have to pay extra attention to ensure that the knife is level and resting on both prongs.  I’m sure a few more days of use and this will be second nature.

I ordered the aluminum base, but the holes were not tapped correctly and the neither allen bolt would fit.  I emailed WickedEdge and they said that has happened with a few and they are sending a replacement.  However, after using it with the supplied vice I’m not sure you even need the base.  As long as you have a table with an edge for the vice to secure it to, it is fast and very solid.  The Aluminum base is definitely solid and will be secure, but I can appreciate the difference in portability with it and without.

So, Even with only the first couple of knives and the stones not yet broken in I am getting some extremely sharp results too.

Quick summary:  I love it!

[Stephen]

I just got my 66 and i would love both as well

[Stephen]

I hear you.  I was all prepped to purchase the 130 before the 66 came out.  And my first reaction when I saw it was trying to understand the markup for what looked like a  fancier version of the 60.
I do sales as a living and I’ve come to appreciate and recognize when a sales person is sharing their honest opinion as a subject matter expert.
S, yes, I bit the bullet and went with the 66.  Right now my biggest challenge is waiting for UPS. No one has addressed how hard that is!

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sksharp

[Stephen]

I sent an email to WE this week on the differences between the two.  My primary use case are full flat grind kitchen knives.   A customer success manager wrote back with a fantastic response which I am pasting below.

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In all honesty, the WE66 Obsidian is my favorite sharpener that we have. The new DualCam ViseWE66, while functionally operating the same as the CamLock (WE130), it is overall a better vise. It clamps more securely to fully flat ground and distally tapered blades, like kitchen knives, and is just generally a more energy-efficient, better-designed clamp.

The other major benefit of the WE66 is the Micro Angle-Drive. With the WE130, the angle adjustment can be a little more fiddly. You set the angle with the divots in the Degree Bar and then use the micro-adjust to hone in on the specific angle you’re looking for. TheWE66 takes both of these steps and places them into 1, fluid motion.

The biggest factors to consider when choosing between these two is the angle ranges, WE66is 13-31 while the WE130 is 13-35, and the price point. The WE130 plus the 800/1000 grit is still more affordable than the WE66. We are in the final push of creating a 1/4″ Jaw that works with the WE66. This should be out in the coming weeks.

Between the two, I would definitely suggest the WE66. I believe it’s an overall better sharpener that leads to a better sharpening experience overall.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Stephen.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Stephen.

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