Pat

For those that may be reading this, to be clear, I believe the response below is in the context that the OP already has lapping films and not that the ceramics do not have a place at all in the sharpening grit progression.

Much appreciated.

Thanks for the addition insight below.  Agreed!

Same reason not to hit two hammers together to test hardness.

This was very helpful to me.  Thanks Marc.

This post from Clay below is super helpful given I just purchased both the 2200/3000 diamond and micro fine ceramics.

Couldn’t we just get a higher chair, or a chair that has vertical adj?  Reason is that such is easier to adjust vs. making a potentially permanent adjustment to the WE unit which changes depending on knife width, etc…

Marc,

Interesting thoughts.  Here is my take and I think it, as you mention, is worth diving into a bit for those considering upgrading, or even starting with the Gen 3 PRO with no prior experience with the WE systems.

I did more than upgrade to the new vice.  I added a LAA, additional stones, etc… which got me to the $1000+.  For the Gen 3 PR…[Read more]

Thanks Ed and that makes sense.  I tend to not adj for uneven bevels unless they are really off so I usually set and go.  I use a scope to ensure I am clean to move to the next grit.

I am looking forward to the strops and how they do since I have never used on the WE before…only a free hand strop block.

I will say that over this past weekend when I employed the Gen 3 pro and LAA, I used, as recommended for ensuring no burr, edge leading (stone moving down upon contact with blade) strokes and got lighter and lighter as the scratches were removed during grit progression.  I used a very bright shop light and 30X loop and saw apexing without any…[Read more]

You’re welcome.

May sounds like it, but actually, just trying to sharpen our knives at home that have needed it for a while and seeing that the Gen 3 pro handles the FFG of kitchen knives with such speed, it is easy to get things done vs fumbling with the equipment all day.

I have the advanced grid on order so that will help a lot (again, should…[Read more]

Since I have not been finishing specifically with leading edge soft strokes, this explains why I still show a side catching when I free hand strop where the leather grain is “raised” when I stroke one side and not when I stroke the other side.  I was always wondering about that.

Now, I know that each side should slide smoothly over a strop and…[Read more]

Thanks Marc….that image is rather helpful and I think that a WE can handle them all, within reason.  I failed to mention I am also a Gen 2 owner and just got a new vice replaced due to bending, so I believe I have all the tools I need, absent welcomed mods to the Gen 3 to come, to sharpen just about anything.  Mainly, I need to hone my skills a…[Read more]

I have contacted Ed for the mod.  Thanks!

When customer service is top notch, people don’t mind paying oodles of $$$ for the system.  I wouldn’t have, nor would I recommend it if they were finicky about keeping customers satisfied AFTER the sale.  I am sure the amount of “loss” Clay has assumed with going into this business with things not working right and breaking down is accounted f…[Read more]

I definitely suggest longer rods.  I purchased some from Oldawan and never regretted it.

I believe they offer 12″ rods here in the WE accessories shop.  I just purchased those for my gen 3.