Edge Pro Apex 4 Knife Sharpening System

Product Information

On top of that, the Deluxe kit adds a super coarse 50 grit stone creatively named “The Beast”, an extra extra course 100 grit, three ceramic stones (80/120/320) and a medium/fine Arkansas stone, and some goodies like a honing oil dropper, stone thickness compensator, and the wooden base which is not included with the standard sharpener. See, there are three basic types of sharpeners – guided angle sharpeners (like this guide will cover), freehand sharpeners (like Japanese water stones) and pull through sharpeners (like your uncle uses on his kitchen knives but all they do is remove tons of metal and create a toothy burr. If the strop fails I touch it up on the ceramic hone as that usually means there’s some stubborn burr, and then go back to the strop. In fact, most knives from the factory don’t require using the Edge Pro Apex at all, I just strop them when they get dull. Our staff is trained to listen to your needs and to help you find the right sharpener the first time.

Edge Pro Apex, Knife Sharpening — Let’s Talk - Brooks Review Edge Pro Apex, Knife Sharpening — Let’s Talk - Brooks Review

Having dual rods means that the edge burr is always even – you alternate strokes evenly so the burr never builds up on one side like with a Lansky, KME or Edge Pro. There is no doubt in my mind that the Wicked Edge system is the best out there (staying away from the powered sharpening systems).

All of this means that in about a minute I bring back most edges if they are factory, or set by the Apex. The WM-200 Anglemaster allows you to both measure and set angles of any tool for accurate adjustment and sharpening. You can choose from 4 fixed slots – 30, 25, 20 and 17 degrees depending on what you’re sharpening and how you want it to cut.

Edge Pro Blade Sharpening Systems - ZANVAK Edge Pro Blade Sharpening Systems - ZANVAK

Also, while a Lansky has four slots for angle – 30, 25, 20, and 17 – the KME is infinitely adjustable between 30 and 17 degrees on a sliding scale, so you can get the precise angle you want. The base of the sharpener attaches to a table with a pair of suction cups (or an optional bench mount) and the blade rests spine-down on a movable shelf which is adjusted to fit the size of the blade. From there I work from 400/600 (400 if I have not used it on the Apex, otherwise 600 after I set the angle of the Edge Pro) all the way to the polishing tapes. You pass the stones over the edge one at a time, maintaining an even bevel and steady progress on the edge, before switching over to the finer grit side of the stones.I had to get to the bottom of this and move on from the quick and easier sharpener to something that was still quick and easy, but also something which lasted.

Edge Pro Apex 3, sharpening system - Knivesandtools

There are other wheels available in the larger size used on the Tormek T-8 (which is considerably costlier) including diamond matrix stones and a blackstone silicon wheel that’s extra abrasive, but they don’t fit the smaller T-4 model. The trick to this system is that you start on the corners of the rods (medium first) until you’ve got an even edge and a bit of a burr, then turn the rods so you’re striking the flat sides. And the reason for that is a couple of things: the mirror edge lasts longer with only minor touch ups, and I have learned how to better touch up the blades to keep an even better edge. Also, the basic design means it’s not as accurate as nicer setups – the slots the rods go through have more wiggle room than a spherical joint will, but keeping your index finger on top of the rods helps to stabilize them.as standard the kit comes in a soft carry bag and the Pro model comes in a blow mould plastic case, both using carry handles, these are a great way to sharpen a knife. Totally different from the other sharpeners on this list, the Tormek T-4 is more a piece of industrial equipment and less a hobbyist sharpener.