Worksharp

I am debating getting a worksharp to sharpen up some of the knives that have pretty much no edge from the factory.

I know you can mess up a tip quick. What are the pro's and con's. I can get one really cheap for my out of pocket expense anyway. I have hand sharpened with a stone my whole life. So its all greek to me.

What says the guru's in the yard.

i also have the same questions

I love it. I was nervous at first but started in on it and it's my favorite sharpening method. Screwed up the first couple of tips on some cheap kitchen knives but I can now get my blades shaving sharp in just a minute or so. Gunfixrjoe noted that if you stop your knife about a third of the way along the belt you don't mess up the tip. Followed that advice and it's been fantastic.

Pros:
- Even grind/angles on both sides
- wicked sharp
- convexed edge
- relatively easy to master (or at least become proficient)

Cons:
- need to buy replacement belts
- slight learning curve
- Your blades will all have a convex edge profile that you will now be wedded to (strops, sandpaper/mousepad, or continued use of a worksharp/belt sander

Other pro, once it's reprofiled, a dull knife goes back to sharp really fast--just a few swipes each side usually.

i dont like that if shtf you have a cord

i have one & love it

super easy. just dont keep the blade on there too long cause it'll heat it up

Try it! It's quick and easy! As noted aw, practice on cheap blades. I actually lock the handle of mine in a vise, remove the guide, adjust the angle, and sharpen freehand.

Yes...I like mine as well. In fact I bought a user 511 that is going to the garage for an edge today... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Gundog, yes, if the power is out you are up shyte creek BUT, if already have the convex edge on it is very easy to maintain (strop/mousepad etc) for a loooong time with the need of the tool.

I don't have a great pic of it but the Skeleton Key in this pic now has a fantastic edge courtesy of the Workshap ..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

great tools Andy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well, if the end of the world is upon us, you can always sharpen it on stones--the v grind will come back <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

...or you can try to find a convex stone...

I have been using a bench belt grinder. I didn't even know about the Worksharp. How long do the belts last?

I use one for my large blades. Not great on the little ones, but on anything 8 inches or longer, it's the best and fastest method i know.

DT. how well did it work on a rodent solution? thats a smaller blade

It sharpened the RS and the WD just fine. Also did great on my Gerber Freeman.

cool it is now on my want list

No GD, it's on your NEED list <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone tried the 3000? I have plenty of hand tools to sharpen too.

Any pointer for not rounding tips with it,I have had bad luck in the past with rounding tips

As noted above, stop grinding when the tip is about 1/3 of the way across the belt. You should be fine.

I just got an email alerting me that my Promotive.com group (The Marines) can get this for $59. Looks like a cheap enough deal to test it out.

P.S. I highly recommend promotive.com, especially if you are a member of an organization that uses stuff you like. The organization you are in determines what you get discounts on. Example: I am in the Corps, so I get deals on tactical type stuff.

Back to topic. Sorry

Worksharp!!!

Sweet deal. Get a few for us to test <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

+1 on that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Won't be disappointed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Knowing about your hunting success and using your knives to clean deer makes me believe you D/T! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

^^+1

I decided to pull the trigger and ordered one today. With shipping and some rebates it cost me a total of $21.86.

I think it should be worth it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Where did you get it for that price????

Site looks cool but I can't figure out how it works???

GD,

I said rebates and I meant gift certificattes. I had an outdoor retailer screw up and charge a couple of hundred dollars to one of my accounts. Purely their mistake. When I noticed they appologized profusely and took care of it. No problem. A week later got a certificate as a peace offering. Probably a please don't sue us gift. LOL.

I decided I would use it for the worksharp.

It's always nice when a retailer not only fixes a problem, but gives a little extra. Shows that they care about "your" buisness and not just buisness in general. Also thanks for the reviews everyone the worksharp has been on my radar for some time wasn't sure if i really believed the hype but now i think I'll pick one up.

That promotive site looks great.

I wonder what the chances are of getting a Scrap Yard Forum team so we can get discounts on tactical/knife/hunting gear as a group <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I LOVE HOW YOUR THINKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can we can we can we??!?!?!??!?

Promotive is great. The companies sell at a big discount there so their product gets word of mouth advertising in their target audience. I bought an Aimpoint sight a while back for hundreds cheaper than the cheapest I could find it elsewhere.

The bad part, if you are a cop and love gardening, you get a discount on tactical stuff but have to pay full price for your hoes.

I think the Worksharp store on Promotive would be stupid not to give discounts to a Scrapyard group.

How do we start a group JJ??? Or if they want lot of visits a busse kin group!

Amen. Sign me up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Sign us up DT!!!

I will look into it tomorrow. Creating a group can't be that hard. I will call with my serious Marine voice and demand it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Unless you are secret service. They rarely pay full price for their hoes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Just glad my childish joke wasn't lost on everyone. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

LOL, I;m right there with you on childish jokes. That was pretty good.

Hehe, wasn't lost on us JJ, just ignored. Such childishness.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



It WAS funny though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />.................................................... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

LOL ^^^^^

Ahhh.....crass humor.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

.... and once they stop giggling at you we may get somewhere..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

LOL yep!

Well, I looked into create a team on Promotive. I was directed to fill out a form that justifies us having a Scrap Yard Team. However, I didn't fill it out. I think it would be best to see if we can get one of the Busses to fill it out. It would be more official that way.

This is the form
http://www.promotive.com/userteamrequest


yoohoo, Dan ...

Can you send Dan and Jerry a email explaining out situation and asking for their assistance???????

Will do.

Sweet!!!

W00!!

Buying in groups always nets really good discounts. We could probably get scrap yard discounts at big retail stores as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lowes??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

HA!

I got mine in late last night/early this morning. I have a few knives that had no edge at all. Just a factory quality control issue.

I messed with an old kitchen knife that is so ground down its hard to get an edge on. The worksharp put a workable edge on it.

I moved to one of my grail knives that had come with the safety edge <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> (no factory edge) I was able to get a properly angled edge put on 20 Deg, then I knocked and polished the edge a bit further. I took that edge to my favorite stone and had the whole thing shaving sharp in under ten minutes. Not bad for 154cm.


This thing is stupid easy to use and puts a reasonable edge on quickly. I could see it ruining an edge quickly if you messed around with it too much. I think ti will be great for initial sharpening.

I will probably stick with my hand held stone for getting the shaving edge on my blades though.

So would you say good buy or bad buy. Worth full price???

I say a good buy. Full price? I don't know. I like to hand sharpen my knives with a stone. I would not have gotten the edge on the 154cm with a stone hand sharpening though. I have a few blade that don't have edges that I will be sharpening with it. So for me it is worth it with three blades to do . With my out of pocket expense its a no brainer. If you sharpen axes, hatchets and scissors it would definately be worth it IMO.

If you aren't good at hand sharpening or don't like to. Its worth it.

I am trying to decide.... Work sharp or set of quality stones

Stones

A good set will last a lifetime and the ritual of using stones is zen for me.

I have used natural stones and Diamond hones. I MUCH prefer diamond hones.

Hi JJ.

Well dia-sharp stones. And yes it is JJ

Hello.

I prefer Japanese ceramic water stones for my 3000 to 12000 grits and Arkansas for the course stuff.

I've never seen those..... What do they run cost wise???

JJ, those grits are for your razors, right?

It would leave one very polished edge!!!

You can get Arkansas stones for $25 and up to a few hundred. It all depends on the quality and grit. Best Sharpening Stones produce quality Arkansas stones. I have a few.

Japanese water stones are a little more pricy, but I haven't found anything that matches their fine grit performance ... except for the new Shapton Glass Stones. I recently got a 8000 grit and am impressed.

I would like to get a 30,000 (that is not a typo) for the final touches on my razors. (yes Skunk. You were correct) I will get a Shapton Glass 30,000 when I find it for under $300

If you get into water stones or the glass stones, which are water stones too, I suggest a sharpening pond. Keeps them wet. You can have a cup of water handy and just scoop some out with your hands every few minutes. A pond is just handy.

I'm not sure what I will be getting yet

Those high grits do polish an edge to a mirror, not mirror like, mirror.

After the 12000, without stropping, my razors pass a hanging hair test with easy. That is, you can hold a hair and brush it across the edge and it splits. There are videos of hanging hair test if you are wondering what a sharp edge really does.

I have a clean strop for preshave and a loaded strop for weekly maintenance. I have a light powdering of chromium oxide 0.01 micron jewelers polishing powder on the loaded one. That is equal to 200,000 grit.

Man if I had a stone like that I think I would want to keep it in a hard pelican case! Are they very fragile?

I need to get me a DMT Duosharp, fine and course grit. That is all that I use. For ME, that gives me the edge that I am most comfortable with.

I have chipped an edge before and imagine they would shatter if drop from a counter onto tile or something.

Also, you need a good lapping stone to keep you surfaces planed.

I got carried away. Most of the stuff I mentioned are not needed for regular knives. I have used a razor technique on a few regular knives and a it got them really sharp, their geometry prevents them from getting the wicked kind of sharp that makes hairs run from it.

These are great field sharpeners.

http://www.amazon.com/Arkansas-Pocket-St...ric&sr=1-28

Hey, a conversation of REAL sharpness is enlightening. Interesting too.

I agree. I turn off all electronics, except for a light. Set up my stones, pond and blades that need attention. Then I zone out and concentrate on my technique. It is a challenge in my head to get to the next level of sharpness.

P.S. Nothing beat high carbon Solingen steel for achievable sharpness.

I have been sharpening so long that I can tell by the sound and the feel if I have the correct angle or not, once I get the angle I use. And no, I don't know what angle that is. I just know somehow.

I have had some older slip joints that would get so sharp the hair would run away screaming!

Most knives have a steeper angle than I like and I flatten it out some, not much most of the time, but noticeable.

Hey JJ, go to this post number #670001 - Sun Nov 18 2012 06:26 PM on page 1226 of the death chat.

I have some 4 inch diamond stones and smith mini pocket rods. I NEED A HIGH QUALITY BENCH STONE SET!!!

GD, check this out.

http://www.knifehog.com/p-2426-dmt-duosharp-bench-stone-8-inch-finecoarse-wm8fc-wb.aspx

It's the one I want to get and I probably will order it after payday. UM we just get paid once a month, the last day.

It SHOULD do all you want and will last you for many many years. I have a DMT diafold I have been using for over 20 years now.

Nice. The diamond smith sharpener has 325 and 750 grit. I want a even finer finish grit and a strop to polish my edges. Sadly the edges my smith leaves seam to trap dirt and they want to rust. The knives I have finished on a friends strop wheel don't need oil and don't show rust and discoloration

I can finish with the 750 clean the edge lightly oil the edge and a few months later its starting to rust even with a light coat of oil...... The same deal with the
Polished edge and it has sat there for over a year and its still shiny like it was polished yesterday.

I THINK that DMT uses 300 and 600 for the course and fine grit.

Well you could maybe do the course/fine thing then finish on a stop loaded with a very high grit rouge.

I was looking at getting several different grit stones like their Xtra Fine fine and their course extra course

I think the multi grit JRE strop bat may be a good buy

That I think would be the ideal setup. But I was just going for the one stone approach, for monetary reasons and less to keep up with.

Has it got two or 4 grits available?

OK, just looked it up. Four grits. Well Three and plain leather.

I wonder how long one strop would last without needing to have the compound replenished.

Yeah I bet I can't get away with the one bench stone your getting and the bat. Like my MO511 I got it lightly oiled it and have oiled it every couple months. All most the entire edge is showing rust. I just got my 311 a few months ago. Different oil and it is also showing color on the edge. My rodent9 came with a very polished edge compared to other kin blades I have and there are patina spots on it. And it was also oiled. I got my 911 and I have kept it soaked in oil and it hasn't shown anything yet. But it is kept SOAKED IN OIL!!!!!

I'd just order extra with it. JJ how long does it last???

Are you storing them in a leather sheath? Or areas of high humidity?

Mike, you might try plain old paste wax (like Johnson & Johnson paste wax for wood floors) on the edges. I know Renwax and tuff cloth are a lot better, but they also cost more.

I can't find any polish cloths. And they are stored in dry areas and not in their sheaths

It drives me nuts I buy a top dollar knife and can't store it. Even stainless blades <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> my satin infi has had no problem for over a year now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I have a work sharp. What I have a hard time understanding is how different steels take remarkably different edges. I have a S5le and a S5. The LE in Infi does not take an edge, but the s5 in sr101 is now one of my sharpest knives. All my S30V and 440 takes a killer edge, but my bench made M2 blade won't sharpen well. Weird.

I know it's probably my technique as well but, I just cannot figure it out. But, I really like it for the blades it does sharpen well. Or I should say that I can sharpen with WS.

Well I hope ya figure it out

one thing i've found that works well with infi is to increase your angle on the edge for the final polish.

If you make the final polish slightly more obtuse than the original edge angle, you'll be able to get a shaving sharp edge...

for some reason, i find that if i try to keep the exact same angle all the way through, i get a micro-burr along the edge

you can also fix this by stropping after you finish your 3000 grit polish

I need a goo strop.

Little late to this part of the conversation and YMMV, but this is my experience:

Buy Spyderco bench stones, you will not regret it, medium, fine and ultra fine. Get a regular coarse pencil eraser to get the gunk out of them.

For rust prevention, get a Sentry Solutions TufCloth (or Marine TufCloth). No more rust on your blades <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I can't find the tufcloth around here so I will have to order one. Is it just a oil soaked cloth or is a polishing cloth?

http://www.sentrysolutions.com/product/91010.html

So it's like my rem cloth but no oil?

its some kinda magical cloth from unicorns...it protects you metal...yet is not oil or silicone

I'll take em!!!!!!!! I loves magical cloths!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it fight male aging?????

No, and don't try to wipe yourself down with it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The regular TufCloth is basically a dry lube/rust inhibitor suspended in mineral spirits. You wipe your knife with it, the spirits evaporate and leave a thin layer of moly (or whatever they use) coating your blade.

The Marine version probably has something else added to it as well since its supposed to be better around salt water.

I use their products and really like them, their HiSlip grease is amazing, it completely stays put and lubes like crazy so you only need a pin head worth of it (the less wet lube on your stuff, the less it attracts dirt.)

SmoothKote and HiSlip is supposed to be great for your guns, almost no wet parts, yet tons of lubrication and next to no cleaning needed.

I'm not affiliated with these guys, but for my knives I've never found anything better. I got their "armorers kit" and have found uses for all the products included on anything mechanical.

I do believe I need to try it!

DT did my War Dog and Rodent Solution. The tips did not come out to bad, just a tad bit off at that very point. I will be ordering one for Christmas.