work sharp?

[susieqz]

hiya guys.
for years, for my entire life. i've tried to use stones to sharpen knives.
i give up.
sometimes they get sharp. sometimes they don't.

i want a fool proof sharpener that needs no learning.

in an old post, the work sharp was recommended,
walmart has one for $70.

i'm hoping someone has used one, or knows of something better.
i spent over $100 on a carving knife n i need it n all the rest of my knives razor sharp.
ever try to dismantle a ham you just smoked?
that's insanely hard without very sharp knives.
in fact, everything is harder without a sharp knife.

i'll pay whatever it takes, but i've heard that electric ones can wreck the temper, so i need a good sharpener.

can anyone help?

i'm sure most of you use stones, but no way will i ever get the edge i want with a stone, so please?

 

[Bugkiller99]

I’ve got a worksharp. Bit of a learning curve, but it works well for me. I would practice on some knives I don’t care about until you get the hang of it. Doesn’t take long to figure it out.

 

[6518John]

Susie—I use Work Sharp. Best money I ever spent. There is a slight trick to it, you just have to be careful with belt speed, but they are pretty much foolproof. I love stones and have a set of the finest Arkansas Stones, but don’t have the time to use them. I keep my knifes scary, razor sharp in about 2 minutes per knife, with a work sharp. Have not picked up a stone since I got it.

 

[Lee Barner]

Suzie, whatever you do, don't waste your money on a Bavarian knife sharpener. totally useless. lee

 

[Rustyt1953]

Susie, my Son-in-Law uses a WorkSharp and does our knives for us. He does a remarkable job with it.

I don't know about its learning curve but he is a former jarhead so if he can figure it out....

 

[Bekeart]

SMOOTH STEEL ROD!

SMOOTH STEEL ROD!

Stones and belts are for severely damaged edges.

In my experience most dull edges are from MISALIGNED metal.
Several strokes on a SMOOTH STEEL ROD put the bent/warped/angled metal back in its PROPER location.

Try smoothing the edges with a smooth steel rod before resorting to removal of any metal.
Same physical actions that you see with a chef using a sharpening rod.

Bekeart

 

[Big Cholla]

Susie: The Work Sharp tool is the way to go. I know how to use stones and have sharpened straight razors, carving knives, pocket knives, meat cleavers and axes with stones. About 10 years ago, I saw the Work Sharp tool being demoed at a gun show. I tried it, bought it and haven't used a stone since. Purchase the complete set of belt as you get the hang of the tool and you will be buying beat up old carving knives at pawn shops just to have the enjoyment of bringing them back to life.

For cutting meat and veggies the edge of you knife shouldn't be razor sharp. Think of leaving the very slightest of saw tooth edge. One of Work Sharp's finer belts will leave such an edge without strouping. Also, don't put a shallow angle on the knife's cutting edge.

If you think that someday you might want to shape your own knife blades, Work Sharp has a "Ken Onion" attachment that works nearly as well as a large professional knife maker's belt sander. It is worth the extra money.

There are several "how to do it" videos on YouTube for the Work Sharp Sharpener.

 

[susieqz]

thanks tons guys.
i'll order it now.
i do have a steel, but most of my knives are too far gone for just a steel.
they have been unsharpened for years because i really did give up.
i have at least 12 knives that need work
only that new one is sharp n i never use it for fear of dulling it.
i do enjoy sharp tools.
nice to talk to you guys.
i havent been around much because the mods upset me

 

[Marshwheeling]

Like the OP, I have not had a lot of success with stones, or with a Smith’s guided sharpener.

I got a Work Sharp. Have used it to reprofile a couple of knives. There is a learning curve and I haven’t spent enough time really sharpening, but it will come. One thing I like is that it tends to convex your edges.

In the meantime, I am getting excellent results with the Work Sharp guided field sharpener. It has coarse and fine diamond plates, a ceramic honing rod and a small leather section for stropping. I can get just about any knife shaving sharp without a lot of tsuris. It is about the size of a large harmonica, very portable and handy to use.

 

[susieqz]

well, i just ordered the work sharp;
i should have it friday/
man, i hope that learning curve doesn't throw me.

 

[Squarebutt]

Sometimes the local supermarket will sharpen your knives as a free service. Doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[old bear]

Susie, I’m also one of those, no matter how hard I try, I can’t sharpen a knife. So, my solution is simple, don’t let a knife get dull. I just give any knife I’ve just used a good cleaning then 3 – 4 licks with a solid steel. This keeps them more than sharp enough for me and doesn’t take lots of time.

If you have dull knives, treat them to a professional sharping. Most Good Cooks stores offer this service for a fee. Then remember to keep them sharp.

Best of luck

 

[susieqz]

i didn't know a steel could extend he sharpness life.

 

[misswired]

Like the OP, I have not had a lot of success with stones, or with a Smith’s guided sharpener.

Rustyt gives a 'like' on a Smith's guided sharpener dislike?

Crystal Ball says you will pay.....soon, very soon....as in tomorrow

Just kidding, a couple of the stones need glued back into their holders.......Something for that knife collecting grandson to play with.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Marsh had me at "tsuris".

 

[Kanewpadle]

well, i just ordered the work sharp;
i should have it friday/
man, i hope that learning curve doesn't throw me.

Watch videos. Mine came with a video tutorial. And there’s always YouTube.

 

[Donn]

Bought a Work Sharp, used it a few times. I found I could do just as well if not better by hand with Croc Sticks. So now it sits in the drawer of shame collecting dust with the Gator Grip socket and multi head socket wrench.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Bavarian knife sharpener. totally useless. lee

There has to be a great meme out there somewhere that needs this as a caption...just have to find it

 

[les.b]

Our local Cabela's has a table full of all different brands of knife sharpeners, (including the Work Sharp), all plugged in and ready to go, and you can play around with them and see if you like any of them. Lots of folks just sharpen their knives there every time they visit Cabela's. And if you ask, someone will come over and explain, or demonstrate how they work.

I've watched others sharpen their knives, but stayed away, figured I would screw up whatever edge I already had!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[Chukar60]

i didn't know a steel could extend he sharpness life.

A couple years ago I called Kershaw to get info on what angle they sharpened their blades at.
Their response was that if you kept the knife honed it should only need sharpened a couple times a year.
now I put the steel to my knives after a couple uses. This way they only need a light touch and I don’t have to sharpen them near as often as I used to.