I finally decided on going for a wicked edge system. I am currently looking at the Field & Sport or the Field & Sport Pro. I read that the gen. 3 vise has trouble with smaller knifes. I only have a couple of small-ish knives like the paramilitary II, Griptillian, etc. Big knives aren’t really my thing. The biggest knife I have is a ZT 0560. Would it present a problem? Should I get the Field & Sport instead of the Pro? I haven’t mentioned the basic WEPS because it doesn’t have the Upgraded Pro-Pack II angle system with ball joints that the above mentioned comes with. I’ve heard really good things about the upgraded arms (some say it’s a must). The Gen. 3 pro is a bit out of my price range, hence why I’m mainly looking at the F&S models. I don’t really need the portability, but price is more of a concern to me.
Sorry if I’m asking too many questions; I tried my best to read through the forums and even knife club @ reddit. My country doesn’t sell the WE so I have to make this right the first time
I think the general position here is that the Gen 2 with the upgraded ball joints is the best choice for users who don’t need rapid mounting - that the money is best spent on the finer stones. Ultimately, you should have 100/200, 400/600, 800/1000 diamond stones, then 1200/1600 ceramics and a pair of leather strops with 5/3.5 micron paste. If you need to cut your costs, drop the ceramic stones. If you intend to limit yourself to less than mirror finishes, you can get by with just the diamond stones.
I haven’t tried the Field & Sport packs, so can’t speak to the difference between them and the heavy bases. If you don’t need portability, any heavy base is workable. Users have reported using wood, steel or granite. If it’s steady, it’s good.
Thanks for responding. The Gen. 2 you mentioned is the basic $299 WEPS, right?
If I were to get that, I will get the 1200/1600 ceramics+upgraded ball joints and some strops/paste. Do I need anything else (like the micro fine ceramic stones pack) in order to achieve a mirror finishes? I’ve changed my stance, since I’m already going to spend over $500, might as well spend a bit more to get the results I want. Please advise.
-edit
So I added up the items, WEPS+1200/1600, micro fine stone pack, 5/3.5 strop pack, 1/0.5 strop pack, pro pack II upgrade kit = $743.
The Pro Pack II is $749 and comes with a base, angle gauge. Should I go ahead with the PP2? It seems like I’ll get more with the PP2 than just adding up random accessories.
Then again, I’m pretty sure I’m over thinking this
First of all, thanks for the comprehensive answers! Wow! To answer the two questions you asked:
1)I’d like to achieve the sharpest knives I’ve ever had. A mirror polish is what I’m after, but if my budget of $700-800 cannot achieve it, I can accept it for now and eventually get more things down the road in order to do so.
2)I would say that my budget for now is right around where the Pro Pack II is at. I could of course add more things to it later down the road.
I only got my foot in the world of knives two years ago. So, I’m pretty fresh but I really, really enjoy sharpening knives. I started out with a sharpmaker (which is fine for touch ups, but not so good for reprofiling), then got the Lansky a couple of months ago. Did not like that at all. Then I started researching and came upon the WE. Most say it’s the best on the market, and rightfully so. I think I may be borderline the OCD group you described My edges have to be perfect and sharp before I call it a day. Sometimes, I’d look up and see that it’s already 1 a.m. or later. Gotta work tomorrow..maybe I should sleep now..Nah, I need to finish it or I cannot fall asleep.
I’ve only had a couple of hobbies during my short 28 years of life..but nothing can calm me and grants me great satisfaction like a session of knife sharpening! I find it more relaxing/fun/soothing than playing video games, and THAT’s saying a lot. My friends and their families routinely give knives to me for sharpening. But I find that it takes way too much time because I don’t have the right tools for the job. I expect the WE will take it to a whole new level in terms of speed/precision/results.
After reading your replies, I am 90% sure on the Pro Pack II. What are some additional accessories that you may recommend? I will be traveling to the States in March and have already gotten in touch with an authorized dealer there. How big and heavy is the box it with everything? Could it fit in a luggage? If not, I may need to ship it back…which totally defeats the purpose of buying it in the States
Sorry, allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Danny and I currently live in Taiwan
Thanks for the detailed explanations! I learned a lot from you through these posts. Very much appreciated!
I will go ahead and get the pro pack II when the time comes. And I will be very careful after sharpening my knives! Can’t wait to take my edges from shaving sharp to wicked sharp : ) Btw, that’s a beautiful 350 you got there. I hope one day I can achieve something as good as that.
Thanks for the kind words. I do admit it looks better in the pictures than it does in real life. It’s pretty sharp–can shave arm/leg hair but not very easily. The blade “tugs” on the hairs a bit. I assume it’s because of a toothier edge? I could only take it up to the 2000 grit ceramic stone and then strop it a bit.
What are some must-know info for a first-time WE user? Do’s and Don’ts? I will be working with smaller knives like the PM II, griptillian and a ZT or two. Bigger knives would be my mother’s/friends’s kitchen knives.
I don’t know if it’s possible, but we used to have a Wiki with a lot of info for beginners. Chris/Clay: would it be possible to get this info back online even if it is not in the form of a wiki (i.e. editable)?
My edges have to be perfect and sharp before I call it a day. Sometimes, I’d look up and see that it’s already 1 a.m. or later. Gotta work tomorrow..maybe I should sleep now..Nah, I need to finish it or I cannot fall asleep.
