I would love to see him use this to sharpen an axe and even a mower blade. Mainly because I feel he gives unbiased reviews on these sort of products. When he likes or dislikes something he is genuine.
1978garfield they are great little machines . The head on them swivels to different positions and will sharpen everything . The Ken Onion edition , is just a lot better built
WranglerStar is a bit of a dope sometimes. You would figure he would have done even the most basic research before making a video like this saying that the sharpener can only be used with the guides.
I've got the standard Worksharp and I must say....I love it. Like you said....it's so easy to use. I has an option to rotate the entire belt head so that you can sharpen lawn mower blades or axes without the hassle of ordering anything extra.
With the convex edge profile, anytime you first sharpen a knife with it, it's best to use coarser belts because you have to re-establish a edge that is different from the factory edge. I use the coarsest belt and only need 2-4 passes, depending on the hardness of the metal, to create the new edge, then I work up through the belts until it is as sharp as I want.
Depending on the steel, i can usually use the strop belt and clean it up to be sharp again just press into the belt harder than normal to cover all of the convex
@@Jd-ql3nh that wears the belts out faster. I do sidework as a professional knife sharpener for restaurants. I use my worksharp kit and charge $20-40 a knife, depending on amount of damage and the location of the restaurant (I move between the city and the countryside, and I charge more in the city usually because they have more customers and can afford it)
I use this model to sharpen all my knives and cleavers as well as axes, lawnmower blades, cold chisels, etc. I actually get more out of it by using it to shape and polish firearm parts. The range of grits available for it is amazing! It can shape edges convex , concave or flat. The convex edge on a knife blade remains sharp much longer than any flat edge I ever put on a knife, much better than hollow ground!
I’ve had the Ken Onion Sharpener since it first came out and dumped my Chefs Choice electric immediately afterward. The KO is much more efficient and flexible than the CC model. I coat worn out belts with finer grits of diamond paste or emulsion to get an even better polish on a blade. I use the Grinder attachment in lieu of a more expensive belt grinder to make knives from kits. I’m essentially grinding down handle scale and pins. Very versatile combo.... Donald
I bought this sharpener for my husband 2 years ago and I would say this was one of the best tool purchases I was able to surprise him with before he bought it himself! Have not had to buy replacement belts yet even with regular use. He sharpens all of my kitchen knives and our daily use pocket knives at least every other month.
Hey Cody, for the base sharpener you can purchase leather strop belts that work great(not from Work). Also these put a convex edge on the blade. Practice definitely is needed when you first get one of these. Cheers
Ive sharpened my axe without the blade grinding attachment. The belt and angle guides portion rotates forward and you can lay the axe down and grind using the "slack" part of the belt just below the guides. Less than ideal but it works very nicely and saved me alot of time from using my cheap puck stone because i often strike alot of rocks when splitting wood while out camping
Happy to see your review on the blade grinding attachment for the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition. I've been very happy with mine. My wife jokingly tells her friends about my sharpening OCD by telling them that "Even our butter knives are sharp". True fact.
I have the original green version of this sharpener. The guide and belts aren't quite as nice, but usually I just take the guide off and freehand everything. I've used it for all kinds of knives, hatchets, axes, and on lawnmower blades. Its nice that it can do everything and even get a hatchet shaving sharp.
Matthew Sirbaugh I like it and use it a lot. I even 3D printed honing guides (25- and 30-degree) for the other side that Cody didn’t use in this case for when I want to regrind my chisels and planes. The only issue I’ve had is that the drive shaft (probably glass fiber reinforced plastic) cracked off of the main unit. I epoxied it back on (using the thumb screw to align and clamp it) and it’s held up for 6 months now. I haven’t heard of anyone else with this issue and I know quite a few who use it so maybe an isolated case?
I have always been told when change sides of the knife with every stroke, once an edge has been established. I have also found that a strop will straight that burr, like nothing else, Even an old leather belt can be used as a strop. After all Barber use leather strops to keep an edge when they shave your face. Great video.
I first learned about these back when their yellow travel stone/ceramic/stop was the fizz. I then purchased the $60 grinder and used it for YEARS until I dropped it 9 feet onto a steel deck and mangled it pretty good. Was bummed that I couldn't swiftly sharpen any of my work tools while on seasonal trips (remote fishing lodge employee). I was gifted this Ken Onion edition a few years back and WOW! It is simply put - AMAZING at what it does! I have sharpened my axes, machetes, my ex's fingernails and shitty attitude, the shovel, and restored a rusty pick axe! Great tool and easy to run a small business with.
Used to work for a machine shop where we would sharpen knives for people. We used a belt sander that used those same style belts, but about 3' length. To get the bur off we would use a bench grinder that we put cloth buffing wheel on and would coat it with honing compound (make sure the wheel is spinning from the back of the knife, spinning towards the edge). If you have a bench grinder it would be worthy to spend the few bucks on that stuff, it really makes a difference! If anyone needs reference to the wheel or compound let me know and I will try and find a link to the stuff.
I've had this for a while and also love using it. You can actually sharpen axes and scissors with the main unit. On the side near the handle there is a rest you can use for thicker blades. The "bench" attachment is extremely useful though and is great for reconditioning all types of cutting equipment.
The grinding attachment is amazing I used the regular ken onion for years and I never thought I'd switch but this past Christmas I got the grinding attachment and it is awsome
@ Wranglerstar The rear guide on the tool comes off so you can use it on axes mower blades and other grinding options. It will also do gut hooks and scissors. It also has several positions the belt can be used in.
I've sharpened several axes with my Ken Onion sharpener without the tool sharpening attachment...you take off the angle guide, then tilt the cassette forward so you can move the sharpener along the blade of the axe or hatchet(which is stationary & preferably in a vice). That's also how I do lawnmower blades.
I don’t know about everyone else but im so happy to see a commercial motorized knife sharpener that actually works. Huge props to work sharp for setting a standard in the market finally!
Dont know of someone has commented about it yet or not, but the flat rest on the back is for sharpening the spine of the knife for bushcraft use. Also, they make a leather strop set for this unit to finish polishing the blade.
i have a smith's electric with half inch belts it has 20 degree slots and a wider slot for scissors i also have other hings like smith's diamond sharpener and an old soaked oil stone and i learned a few years ago that if you just lay the knife flat on the stone so you can see under the blade then turn it upwards until the edge and the stone meet there is your angle i have made a jig to set the knife in and slide the stone underneath back and forth 3-4 sometimes 5-6 times on each side it comes out shaving sharp. i have used the sharpener because i got it for christmas but it won't ever replace any of the stones or diamond sharpeners
*NOTE* I would like to add that you can indeed sharpen lawnmower and ax blades with the Work Sharp Ken Onion edition sharpener from your other video. You press the cassette rocker and rotate the head forward (with the guide removed) and it can create a large, flat belt surface and it's very handy to get into semi-tight places such as underneath a lawn mower. You need to set that point straight and maybe read the manual for that tool (no offense). Your videos are great and I've now subscribed, but I'd hate for people to think that they need to buy this model to sharpen lawnmower blades, axes, and other larger surfaces.
I just bought this Ken Onion version of the Worksharp and ordered the blade grinder attachment just to maintain my kitchen knives. When I ordered the blade grinder attachment, I didn't realize there was no guide rest so, edge repeatability is 100% in your ability to present the blade to the belt, handheld every time, over and over, so, the single advantage of the attachment is the slightly wider belt, otherwise, the exact same results can be achieved without buying the blade grinder. It's a great and fast means of easily maintaining long knives / kitchen cutlery, but I wouldn't ever use it on any of my better pocket or folding knives. Those are maintained with a strop and occasionally reground on tempered glass plates. Cheers
Ya, I need the work sharp & the attachment! Thank you for sharing it, I have been looking for just such a sharpener & your video really was the right place, at the right time
I've had mine for a while now and I find if you go one for one on each side when you use the fine strop belt you don't get much of a burr when you are done
Cool review. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to pick up that attachment. My wife got me that portable multi-function sharpener you used there at the end. I need to honor her and find more times and ways to use it. Thanks for the demo.
reverse your belts for a quick and easy strop. just turn the 6000 grit upside down and use that as a strop. also use something like autoglym on the reverse of belts for a really good stropping compound; essentially doubling up the usage of your belts or meaning you can use older, worn out belt with compounds for greater versatility.
Just because I noticed the same thing and found it interesting: It's metal injection molded aluminum. Just about the coolest process in volume manufacture, I think.
Thank you for another great video but should I buy one or not? Also just seen an advert during this video for work socks that guarantee no holes definitely not made from merino wool! I love merino wool socks!
If you have a bandsaw already you can buy abrasive belts for it from woodworkers supply or Klingspor. Takes a little practice but you can easily make angle guides and get very good results. Also when I test for sharpness I usually dont shave the whole arm lol hahah.
The basic model can sharpen axes and lawnmower blades. Just take the angle guard off and rotate the unit forward. This addon I would think is more to fix the problem with rounding over tips with the original guard
You can sharpen an axe with just the ken onion you have to take the guide off. That's how I sharpen all my axes. Great video the blade grinder attachment is awesome!
I’m using a 1”x30” belt sander, $54 at HFT, sanding belts are cheap and I bought a leather belt as well. Kinda the poor man’s version of the WorkSharp. Establishing a consistent angle is tricky but can be accomplished with experience as well as a homemade angle guide. I’d like to see if the WorkSharp could sharpen an axe. Maybe time for me to upgrade.
Axes, lawnmower blades and hedge trimmer (the scissor type) can be honed with the original cassette. Take the edge guides off, pull straight up, its doesn’t come easy. Then once it’s off put a thin layer of synthetic grease or Vaseline making it much easier to pull the guides off the next time. Now tilt the cassette forward and there you have the almost perfect tool for bigger sharpening jobs. And absolutely show the boys how easy it is to sharpen anything, even serrated knives, super easy with the KO!
i have sharpened just about everything i own on one of these works pretty great for scissors, edgers, shovels, axes, machetes, big knives small knives... does take a bit of practice... u can use the ultra fine belt and it pretty much is a strop.
In this video you mention, "knocking the wire off". I'm curious why you knock it off and where does the very fine edge comes from. It is my understanding that once you have a good wire (no imperfections in the edge), you then polish the wire to get a sharper-than-razor edge. Great video - I'm about to buy one of these.
Stropping with rawhide will take that bur off. But the way I like to do it after getting it off the stone, I run the edge across a course block eraser. It always takes the bur off for me without warping the edge or ruining a mirror finish. I'm not sure where my dad got the idea but he taught me that
If you read the instructions, you'll find that it is possible to sharpen axes and machetes even with Ken Onion Work Sharp without the attachment featured in this video. Obviously the attachment helps a lot.
I have the KO Worksharp + the grinder attachment... I find it *much* more useful as a general shop tool, a great alternative to a bench grinder, high speed sander, etc. It sharpens large tools and blades well, but its a great way to ruin a nice folder, throw grit into the pivot/lock, and totally mess up handle slabs or bolsters. On the small belts II really don't like that it grinds each side in different directions (throw the guide away and use only one part of the belt.) In the end, regardless of blade or steel type, the clamping fixed-angle diamond hone system I've been using for 25 years delivers a perfectly symetrical vastly sharper edge by finishing with the fine hone (clean/fresh hone oil) using single direction light passes towards the spine as if slicing the hone. Zero stropping needed.
A strop is the tool to knock of the wire edge. Board with hard leather nailed down on one end and loaded with green rouge. This knocks off the wire edge and polishes the area you have ground with the knife sharpener.
I have that pocket all in one Work Sharp it’s very handy and I know the leather strop is small & not very wide on it but my it’s one of the best strops I’ve used lol I don’t know why but it seems too make a knife 10X better after sharpening lol.
Maybe you should buy a 2 x 72 belt grinder, it’s what we knife makers use to make knives, as an amateur blacksmith you would find it useful. Can use it for wood too, just need different belts.
My understanding is the knife angle guide can be removed and can twist the mechanism 90* and then you can use it to surface grind by clamping your ax in a vise. At least that’s what I have seen in other videos
I was advised to stand comfortably within easy reach of the grinding surface, hold the blade just firmly at the desired angle while locking my elbows in to my sides, and move the blade across the grinder by gently rotating my hips. It made an incredible difference. One good thing to remember, if you are not careful using the Ken Onion sharpener you will grind a slight recurve in the blade near the hilt. I found out the hard way.
Thanks for the advice. I just got one of these for my birthday and I've been searching though the comments here knowing that this community will not only have people who know what their doing, but have easy to understand and implement advice! Edit: corrected 2nd "advice" from "advise"
These grinders have a guide you can use. Using that "platform" to "set" your angle...I"m not sure is a good thing because as soon as you (any of us) lift the blade onto the belt the angle changes. :) Might as well go with whetstones (even though there's more setup/cleanup).
I bought the ken onion worksharp few years back still going strong. Might get this learn how to do it free hand. Only thing I didn’t like about the worksharp was pulling my knives through was it would mark the face of the blade. This will do away with the only issue I had with the W/S
I was taught decades ago that the way to check kitchen-knife sharpness is with a glossy-page magazine. Flip it open midway, push the edge of a single page inwards so it 'bellies' up - then just draw your knife across on a diagonal. If the belly pushes down, not sharp enough. I've also learned that it's NOT OK to just grab a magazine at random - you could have an annoyed spouse, when she gets to that page :-(
I have learned a single sided bevel like a mower blade or sashimi knife is a lot harder to do with belts as belts without a backing makes a convex edge instead of a flat edge. Which is great for double bevel knives but not for single bevel
yes, I would like to see you sharpen an axe and a lawn mower blade. And, I'd like to see you use the other side where you have the flat shelf to hold the knife.
I know you don't really like machete's, but I think it would be great for any of those things. Mower blade's, scythe blades, axe's, chisels, shovel edges etc. Yes would love to see an axe sharpening video. Thanks..........Damon from Australia
so I own one of these and the theory is that you don't just do 5 and 5 on each side but you are supposed to start with said number and work down to 1 on either side to get rid of the wire and achieve that mirror finish
I bought one of the small units on the strength of your video. If there is a quicker better way to bring a blade up to 90% perfect needing only a stropping, make sure you show it! Great recommendation, and made in Oregon - loved in the UK
I got my work sharp Ken onion for $65 on Amazon 2 years ago, great fast service for beginners but like anything practical you have to use it and make mistakes to really figure it out.
I apologize ahead of time, but I don't think you could be telling us the correct price that you paid for the Ken Onion edition...maybe the regular knife sharpener(the WSKTS) , because that was around $65-$70 on Amazon, but the Ken Onion edition(WSKTS-KO) was around $150 on Amazon when I bought mine 18-24 moths ago.
A stone & honing rod is quicker still for everyday maintenance but that gizmo would be nice for major reprofiling....and for people who can't/won't use a stone.
They could have put the guide up where the belt is angled. Just make it flat and raise/lower depending on how steep you have the belt. That way you can always hold the knife flat and keep the angle on the blade right where you have it set.
Great video, and accessory review, thanks! Sure, try it out on an axe, garden hoe, shovels, weed scythe, etc., etc.! I'm not a comment section expert, but I just find what I like to use for sharpening and do it how it suits me.
That thing looks great. Want to see you do a mower blade. There has to be a way to extend that flat guide up so you don't have to "free hand" it. Sure you could rig something up
There's a point of diminishing returns in sharpening when you can spend twice as long sharpening to get only slightly better results. I think the point he went to the ceramic and leather was a good illustration of that. I generally don't need to carry a razor in my pocket.
I sharpen my axes on the worksharp without the blade grindder attachment. You can just take the angle holder off from the normal machine and tilt it forward to use it kind of like an angle grinder puts a wicked edge on almost anything.
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I don't think anyone would be against an axe sharpening video
I would love to see him use this to sharpen an axe and even a mower blade. Mainly because I feel he gives unbiased reviews on these sort of products. When he likes or dislikes something he is genuine.
YES PLEASE!!! Let’s see how well it works on a dinged up full size axe!!
Maybe they have an axe to grind. 😬
How about a plane blade, or chisels.
You can sharpen axes with the basic machine as well. Remove the guide and that whole unit swivels to multiple positions for sharpeneing all tools
If I don't win the Ken Onion one I am really tempted buy the basic one.
70 bucks and it does most of what I need.
1978garfield they are great little machines . The head on them swivels to different positions and will sharpen everything . The Ken Onion edition , is just a lot better built
I had one , but went through some tough times and had to sell it , along with most of my knife collection. Would love to have it back for sure👍👍
WranglerStar is a bit of a dope sometimes. You would figure he would have done even the most basic research before making a video like this saying that the sharpener can only be used with the guides.
Can the guide be removed from the Ken Onion edition, in order to sharpen axes and bigger stuff?
I've got the standard Worksharp and I must say....I love it. Like you said....it's so easy to use. I has an option to rotate the entire belt head so that you can sharpen lawn mower blades or axes without the hassle of ordering anything extra.
With the convex edge profile, anytime you first sharpen a knife with it, it's best to use coarser belts because you have to re-establish a edge that is different from the factory edge. I use the coarsest belt and only need 2-4 passes, depending on the hardness of the metal, to create the new edge, then I work up through the belts until it is as sharp as I want.
Depending on the steel, i can usually use the strop belt and clean it up to be sharp again just press into the belt harder than normal to cover all of the convex
@@Jd-ql3nh that wears the belts out faster. I do sidework as a professional knife sharpener for restaurants. I use my worksharp kit and charge $20-40 a knife, depending on amount of damage and the location of the restaurant (I move between the city and the countryside, and I charge more in the city usually because they have more customers and can afford it)
You should have used another one of Mrs. W's butter knives and seen if it would have put a nice edge on it.
I use this model to sharpen all my knives and cleavers as well as axes, lawnmower blades, cold chisels, etc. I actually get more out of it by using it to shape and polish firearm parts. The range of grits available for it is amazing!
It can shape edges convex , concave or flat. The convex edge on a knife blade remains sharp much longer than any flat edge I ever put on a knife, much better than hollow ground!
Cody, you don’t need the belt grinder attachment to sharpen the axes. You can remove the angle guide. Then you can pivot the grinder and rotate.
I’ve had the Ken Onion Sharpener since it first came out and dumped my Chefs Choice electric immediately afterward. The KO is much more efficient and flexible than the CC model. I coat worn out belts with finer grits of diamond paste or emulsion to get an even better polish on a blade. I use the Grinder attachment in lieu of a more expensive belt grinder to make knives from kits. I’m essentially grinding down handle scale and pins.
Very versatile combo....
Donald
I've had the work sharp blade grinder attachment for four years now. LOVE IT. Sharpening with it is very natural for me.
What a loyal base you have. Re-uploading a video and we still watch it again. 👍👍
I bought this sharpener for my husband 2 years ago and I would say this was one of the best tool purchases I was able to surprise him with before he bought it himself! Have not had to buy replacement belts yet even with regular use. He sharpens all of my kitchen knives and our daily use pocket knives at least every other month.
Hey Cody, for the base sharpener you can purchase leather strop belts that work great(not from Work). Also these put a convex edge on the blade. Practice definitely is needed when you first get one of these.
Cheers
Ive sharpened my axe without the blade grinding attachment. The belt and angle guides portion rotates forward and you can lay the axe down and grind using the "slack" part of the belt just below the guides. Less than ideal but it works very nicely and saved me alot of time from using my cheap puck stone because i often strike alot of rocks when splitting wood while out camping
Happy to see your review on the blade grinding attachment for the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition. I've been very happy with mine. My wife jokingly tells her friends about my sharpening OCD by telling them that "Even our butter knives are sharp". True fact.
I have the original green version of this sharpener. The guide and belts aren't quite as nice, but usually I just take the guide off and freehand everything. I've used it for all kinds of knives, hatchets, axes, and on lawnmower blades. Its nice that it can do everything and even get a hatchet shaving sharp.
Haha. I've been using this for two years and never knew that the tensioner cammed over to lock for switching belts. I don't need three hands anymore!
Matthew Sirbaugh I like it and use it a lot. I even 3D printed honing guides (25- and 30-degree) for the other side that Cody didn’t use in this case for when I want to regrind my chisels and planes. The only issue I’ve had is that the drive shaft (probably glass fiber reinforced plastic) cracked off of the main unit. I epoxied it back on (using the thumb screw to align and clamp it) and it’s held up for 6 months now. I haven’t heard of anyone else with this issue and I know quite a few who use it so maybe an isolated case?
Do the instructions mention this?
@@UncleChuckApproved Probably....
Explanation of the use of a KO grinding with roller assembly for long knives
th-cam.com/video/Fw6pC39vq0o/w-d-xo.html
I bought one on Amazon. They now sell it at Bi Mart locally. I'm happy I can get new belts at the store. I love mine.
I have always been told when change sides of the knife with every stroke, once an edge has been established. I have also found that a strop will straight that burr, like nothing else, Even an old leather belt can be used as a strop. After all Barber use leather strops to keep an edge when they shave your face. Great video.
I first learned about these back when their yellow travel stone/ceramic/stop was the fizz. I then purchased the $60 grinder and used it for YEARS until I dropped it 9 feet onto a steel deck and mangled it pretty good. Was bummed that I couldn't swiftly sharpen any of my work tools while on seasonal trips (remote fishing lodge employee).
I was gifted this Ken Onion edition a few years back and WOW! It is simply put - AMAZING at what it does! I have sharpened my axes, machetes, my ex's fingernails and shitty attitude, the shovel, and restored a rusty pick axe! Great tool and easy to run a small business with.
Used to work for a machine shop where we would sharpen knives for people. We used a belt sander that used those same style belts, but about 3' length. To get the bur off we would use a bench grinder that we put cloth buffing wheel on and would coat it with honing compound (make sure the wheel is spinning from the back of the knife, spinning towards the edge). If you have a bench grinder it would be worthy to spend the few bucks on that stuff, it really makes a difference! If anyone needs reference to the wheel or compound let me know and I will try and find a link to the stuff.
Axe and standard lawn mower blade and I'll be sold. Looks so promising 👍🏻 great vid Cody.
I've had this for a while and also love using it. You can actually sharpen axes and scissors with the main unit. On the side near the handle there is a rest you can use for thicker blades. The "bench" attachment is extremely useful though and is great for reconditioning all types of cutting equipment.
Hey Wranglerstar! The blade guide on the small "Casette" as you called it, can be removed and you can turn it 90° to sharpen axes and tools too :D
I just bought this setup and look forward to sharpening everything in my household!
You sure do a nice job of discussing and describing things. Kudos!
The grinding attachment is amazing I used the regular ken onion for years and I never thought I'd switch but this past Christmas I got the grinding attachment and it is awsome
@
Wranglerstar
The rear guide on the tool comes off so you can use it on axes mower blades and other grinding options. It will also do gut hooks and scissors. It also has several positions the belt can be used in.
I've sharpened several axes with my Ken Onion sharpener without the tool sharpening attachment...you take off the angle guide, then tilt the cassette forward so you can move the sharpener along the blade of the axe or hatchet(which is stationary & preferably in a vice). That's also how I do lawnmower blades.
I use that hand held one you used and I love it. Puts a good enough edge on all my knives.
I don’t know about everyone else but im so happy to see a commercial motorized knife sharpener that actually works. Huge props to work sharp for setting a standard in the market finally!
This thing is really fun to use and fast. Also axes work fine on it. I've done lawnmower blades too with great success
Dont know of someone has commented about it yet or not, but the flat rest on the back is for sharpening the spine of the knife for bushcraft use. Also, they make a leather strop set for this unit to finish polishing the blade.
i have a smith's electric with half inch belts it has 20 degree slots and a wider slot for scissors i also have other hings like smith's diamond sharpener and an old soaked oil stone and i learned a few years ago that if you just lay the knife flat on the stone so you can see under the blade then turn it upwards until the edge and the stone meet there is your angle i have made a jig to set the knife in and slide the stone underneath back and forth 3-4 sometimes 5-6 times on each side it comes out shaving sharp. i have used the sharpener because i got it for christmas but it won't ever replace any of the stones or diamond sharpeners
Good to see you at the start of your own learning curve. It's where anyone who buys this will start very good tutorial and sharpen an axe.
*NOTE* I would like to add that you can indeed sharpen lawnmower and ax blades with the Work Sharp Ken Onion edition sharpener from your other video. You press the cassette rocker and rotate the head forward (with the guide removed) and it can create a large, flat belt surface and it's very handy to get into semi-tight places such as underneath a lawn mower. You need to set that point straight and maybe read the manual for that tool (no offense). Your videos are great and I've now subscribed, but I'd hate for people to think that they need to buy this model to sharpen lawnmower blades, axes, and other larger surfaces.
I've had a work sharp of my own for months now, it's a quick east way to get a scary sharp blade, easy to learn as well.
That hand held Worksharp is all I use to sharpen my knives besides a large strop I made. It’s the best compact sharpener I’ve ever owned.
The little guide sharpener is awesome to keep in your pack!! it's actually my go to sharpener right now.
I just bought this Ken Onion version of the Worksharp and ordered the blade grinder attachment just to maintain my kitchen knives.
When I ordered the blade grinder attachment, I didn't realize there was no guide rest so, edge repeatability is 100% in your ability to present the blade to the belt, handheld every time, over and over, so, the single advantage of the attachment is the slightly wider belt, otherwise, the exact same results can be achieved without buying the blade grinder.
It's a great and fast means of easily maintaining long knives / kitchen cutlery, but I wouldn't ever use it on any of my better pocket or folding knives.
Those are maintained with a strop and occasionally reground on tempered glass plates.
Cheers
The blade grinding attachment is totally worth it. I wish I would've bought it way sooner.
Ya, I need the work sharp & the attachment! Thank you for sharing it, I have been looking for just such a sharpener & your video really was the right place, at the right time
I've had mine for a while now and I find if you go one for one on each side when you use the fine strop belt you don't get much of a burr when you are done
Cool review. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to pick up that attachment. My wife got me that portable multi-function sharpener you used there at the end. I need to honor her and find more times and ways to use it. Thanks for the demo.
Thank you for showing the attachment as well, I too was curious :)
reverse your belts for a quick and easy strop. just turn the 6000 grit upside down and use that as a strop. also use something like autoglym on the reverse of belts for a really good stropping compound; essentially doubling up the usage of your belts or meaning you can use older, worn out belt with compounds for greater versatility.
Just because I noticed the same thing and found it interesting: It's metal injection molded aluminum. Just about the coolest process in volume manufacture, I think.
Thank you. Just what I had been seeking. A little bit long but good explanation. Wish I had your workshop. Oh, the things I could do there.
The series continues! Whenever I get a new knife sharpener, I find myself looking for anything with a blade to sharpen, haha.
Everytime I get a new knife or axe, really anything with a blade I find myself so excited to get home and grab my sharpening kit and get to work.
Thank you for another great video but should I buy one or not? Also just seen an advert during this video for work socks that guarantee no holes definitely not made from merino wool! I love merino wool socks!
If you have a bandsaw already you can buy abrasive belts for it from woodworkers supply or Klingspor. Takes a little practice but you can easily make angle guides and get very good results. Also when I test for sharpness I usually dont shave the whole arm lol hahah.
The basic model can sharpen axes and lawnmower blades. Just take the angle guard off and rotate the unit forward. This addon I would think is more to fix the problem with rounding over tips with the original guard
You can sharpen an axe with just the ken onion you have to take the guide off. That's how I sharpen all my axes. Great video the blade grinder attachment is awesome!
Thanks
So who were the winners of your random drawing for the knife sharpeners?
It's a secret
All I know is it wasn’t me ☹️
I’m using a 1”x30” belt sander, $54 at HFT, sanding belts are cheap and I bought a leather belt as well. Kinda the poor man’s version of the WorkSharp. Establishing a consistent angle is tricky but can be accomplished with experience as well as a homemade angle guide. I’d like to see if the WorkSharp could sharpen an axe. Maybe time for me to upgrade.
Axes, lawnmower blades and hedge trimmer (the scissor type) can be honed with the original cassette. Take the edge guides off, pull straight up, its doesn’t come easy. Then once it’s off put a thin layer of synthetic grease or Vaseline making it much easier to pull the guides off the next time. Now tilt the cassette forward and there you have the almost perfect tool for bigger sharpening jobs. And absolutely show the boys how easy it is to sharpen anything, even serrated knives, super easy with the KO!
Just got my work sharp with blade grinding attachment! Thank you Cody for the good review
i have sharpened just about everything i own on one of these works pretty great for scissors, edgers, shovels, axes, machetes, big knives small knives... does take a bit of practice... u can use the ultra fine belt and it pretty much is a strop.
In this video you mention, "knocking the wire off". I'm curious why you knock it off and where does the very fine edge comes from. It is my understanding that once you have a good wire (no imperfections in the edge), you then polish the wire to get a sharper-than-razor edge. Great video - I'm about to buy one of these.
Stropping with rawhide will take that bur off. But the way I like to do it after getting it off the stone, I run the edge across a course block eraser. It always takes the bur off for me without warping the edge or ruining a mirror finish. I'm not sure where my dad got the idea but he taught me that
If you read the instructions, you'll find that it is possible to sharpen axes and machetes even with Ken Onion Work Sharp without the attachment featured in this video. Obviously the attachment helps a lot.
Try the Ken Onion Tool Grinding Attachment for sharpening an ax blade. Works like a champ. I use it all the time for ax and hatchet sharpening.
You can remove the knife guide and rotate the cassette 90 degrees clockwise to sharpen large blades without the grinder attachment
I have the KO Worksharp + the grinder attachment... I find it *much* more useful as a general shop tool, a great alternative to a bench grinder, high speed sander, etc.
It sharpens large tools and blades well, but its a great way to ruin a nice folder, throw grit into the pivot/lock, and totally mess up handle slabs or bolsters.
On the small belts II really don't like that it grinds each side in different directions (throw the guide away and use only one part of the belt.)
In the end, regardless of blade or steel type, the clamping fixed-angle diamond hone system I've been using for 25 years delivers a perfectly symetrical vastly sharper edge by finishing with the fine hone (clean/fresh hone oil) using single direction light passes towards the spine as if slicing the hone. Zero stropping needed.
i have the Ken Onion work sharp. It is great!
Amazing I sure need a good knife sharpener our kitchen knives are in horrible condition. Thank you for another amazing video have a blessed day.
A strop is the tool to knock of the wire edge. Board with hard leather nailed down on one end and loaded with green rouge. This knocks off the wire edge and polishes the area you have ground with the knife sharpener.
I have that pocket all in one Work Sharp it’s very handy and I know the leather strop is small & not very wide on it but my it’s one of the best strops I’ve used lol I don’t know why but it seems too make a knife 10X better after sharpening lol.
Maybe you should buy a 2 x 72 belt grinder, it’s what we knife makers use to make knives, as an amateur blacksmith you would find it useful. Can use it for wood too, just need different belts.
My understanding is the knife angle guide can be removed and can twist the mechanism 90* and then you can use it to surface grind by clamping your ax in a vise. At least that’s what I have seen in other videos
I was advised to stand comfortably within easy reach of the grinding surface, hold the blade just firmly at the desired angle while locking my elbows in to my sides, and move the blade across the grinder by gently rotating my hips.
It made an incredible difference.
One good thing to remember, if you are not careful using the Ken Onion sharpener you will grind a slight recurve in the blade near the hilt. I found out the hard way.
Thanks for the advice. I just got one of these for my birthday and I've been searching though the comments here knowing that this community will not only have people who know what their doing, but have easy to understand and implement advice!
Edit: corrected 2nd "advice" from "advise"
These grinders have a guide you can use. Using that "platform" to "set" your angle...I"m not sure is a good thing because as soon as you (any of us) lift the blade onto the belt the angle changes. :) Might as well go with whetstones (even though there's more setup/cleanup).
I bought the ken onion worksharp few years back still going strong.
Might get this learn how to do it free hand.
Only thing I didn’t like about the worksharp was pulling my knives through was it would mark the face of the blade. This will do away with the only issue I had with the W/S
You can tape the blade to avoid that.
On the last extra fine belt for honing/stropping, try alternating right then left then right then left sides to remove the wire burr.
I was taught decades ago that the way to check kitchen-knife sharpness is with a glossy-page magazine. Flip it open midway, push the edge of a single page inwards so it 'bellies' up - then just draw your knife across on a diagonal. If the belly pushes down, not sharp enough.
I've also learned that it's NOT OK to just grab a magazine at random - you could have an annoyed spouse, when she gets to that page :-(
I have learned a single sided bevel like a mower blade or sashimi knife is a lot harder to do with belts as belts without a backing makes a convex edge instead of a flat edge. Which is great for double bevel knives but not for single bevel
yes, I would like to see you sharpen an axe and a lawn mower blade. And, I'd like to see you use the other side where you have the flat shelf to hold the knife.
I know you don't really like machete's, but I think it would be great for any of those things. Mower blade's, scythe blades, axe's, chisels, shovel edges etc. Yes would love to see an axe sharpening video. Thanks..........Damon from Australia
so I own one of these and the theory is that you don't just do 5 and 5 on each side but you are supposed to start with said number and work down to 1 on either side to get rid of the wire and achieve that mirror finish
I bought one of the small units on the strength of your video. If there is a quicker better way to bring a blade up to 90% perfect needing only a stropping, make sure you show it! Great recommendation, and made in Oregon - loved in the UK
For fine hunting and kitchen knives, you can't beat EdgePro imho. For utility hatchets, chisels, farm implements, etc. this might be ok.
This is great! I'm really happy he answered the thing about the axes. I'm VERY tempted to get the whole setup once I have money!
Thanks Wranglerstar!
Take the angle guide off, rotate the head forward, and you can sharpen an axe, mower blade, anything you want with just the machine.
Dux Servum - exactlyyyy. That’s what I do
I got my work sharp Ken onion for $65 on Amazon 2 years ago, great fast service for beginners but like anything practical you have to use it and make mistakes to really figure it out.
I apologize ahead of time, but I don't think you could be telling us the correct price that you paid for the Ken Onion edition...maybe the regular knife sharpener(the WSKTS) , because that was around $65-$70 on Amazon, but the Ken Onion edition(WSKTS-KO) was around $150 on Amazon when I bought mine 18-24 moths ago.
Nice unit. Think I will get one. I have been using that hand held one for a few years now. So I trust the Work Sharp name.
I’ve had great luck with using the work sharp then using a strop along with it so it keeps its edge
Looks like a useful piece of kit. I'll start saving my paper route money to get one!
A stone & honing rod is quicker still for everyday maintenance but that gizmo would be nice for major reprofiling....and for people who can't/won't use a stone.
They could have put the guide up where the belt is angled. Just make it flat and raise/lower depending on how steep you have the belt. That way you can always hold the knife flat and keep the angle on the blade right where you have it set.
They are my favorites. There are a few where the stand or whatever keeps the knife in place can come off and you can sharpen axes.
Great video, and accessory review, thanks!
Sure, try it out on an axe, garden hoe, shovels, weed scythe, etc., etc.!
I'm not a comment section expert, but I just find what I like to use for sharpening and do it how it suits me.
Something about that sharpening action is so damn satisfying
That thing looks great. Want to see you do a mower blade. There has to be a way to extend that flat guide up so you don't have to "free hand" it. Sure you could rig something up
There's a point of diminishing returns in sharpening when you can spend twice as long sharpening to get only slightly better results. I think the point he went to the ceramic and leather was a good illustration of that. I generally don't need to carry a razor in my pocket.
I sharpen my axes on the worksharp without the blade grindder attachment. You can just take the angle holder off from the normal machine and tilt it forward to use it kind of like an angle grinder
puts a wicked edge on almost anything.
I would like to see you do a mower blade, that would be a more common thing we would sharpen.
No way will i be sharpening a lawn mower blade with a 200 dollar knife sharpener!! Thats ridiculous!!
on the portable sharpener those plates snap off to expose other tools, such as a insert to untwist broad heads for arrows.
I am a very dedicated knife guy and I can tell you this is the absolute best system out there besides professional belt sanders or good marble stones
Would like to see an axe sharpening video.