Work Sharp Elite (blade sharpener) flipped my thinking...

[TNBillyEarl]

I have tried more than a few stones, oil, and water over the years to sharpen my hunting knives. Alas, I never could get the edge I wanted. (And I refused to pay $10 to have someone do it for me.) After I discovered Havalon a few years back I didn't expect I would use anything else for hunting. I even picked up an Ozark something or another w/ larger, replaceable blades for processing. I have been on this course for almost a decade; but no more.

Last month a buddy suggested I try the Work Sharp Elite. I do believe it is foolproof. I spent 15 minutes each on my old Case lock blade and pocket knife. The edges I got were impressive. There are many YouTube reviews and how-to's out there, much better than I could type, but I wanted to write this review about a lesson learned w/ a traditional knife.

I went and got a cheap BuckLite Max to throw in my hunting pack. (It comes sharp, but the Elite can make it even sharper.) This week I dressed my first dear with a fixed blade in almost a decade. For me, it is now a much better option than the replaceables. I had become numb to the fact the disposable blades give and bend. I immediately realized I am more precise and get better feedback w/ something firm that has no flex. (I also broke a handful of blades each of the last two years. That was always an inconvenience in the field.) And that's it - the scalpels are wonderful and made my life better - until I found a blade sharpener I could use. I guess I should add that there is a bonus in the household that my wife's kitchen knives are all sporting new edges to boot.

-B

 

[JD338]

Do you have a link you can post?

JD338

 

[xphunter]

disposable blades break easily as well, and can cause harm. A friend about lost any eye to one.
I understand there should be some restraint when using them (Disposables).

 

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

I assume this is the system you are referring to?

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/WSWSBCHPAJELT/work-sharp-precision-adjust-elite-knife-sharpener-with-seven-different-grits-carrying-case

I like the look of it and have considered getting something like it a few times. However, I am very old fashioned for a young person and really wanted to become profficient at free hand sharpening. After 4 years of practice I finally feel like I have a fair foundation of basic skill. I can get pretty much any knife I have gotten my hands on to scrape shave hair at any grit that I have available to me, from about 140 to 1200 grit. I still struggle with speed and certain types of blades can be a headache, it is always a continuous learning process, but I have really enjoyed the sharpening journey. My most recent accomplishments were getting my axes and machette to shave hair for the first time.

 

[salmonchaser]

I have tried more than a few stones, oil, and water over the years to sharpen my hunting knives. Alas, I never could get the edge I wanted. (And I refused to pay $10 to have someone do it for me.) After I discovered Havalon a few years back I didn't expect I would use anything else for hunting. I even picked up an Ozark something or another w/ larger, replaceable blades for processing. I have been on this course for almost a decade; but no more.

Last month a buddy suggested I try the Work Sharp Elite. I do believe it is foolproof. I spent 15 minutes each on my old Case lock blade and pocket knife. The edges I got were impressive. There are many YouTube reviews and how-to's out there, much better than I could type, but I wanted to write this review about a lesson learned w/ a traditional knife.

I went and got a cheap BuckLite Max to throw in my hunting pack. (It comes sharp, but the Elite can make it even sharper.) This week I dressed my first dear with a fixed blade in almost a decade. For me, it is now a much better option than the replaceables. I had become numb to the fact the disposable blades give and bend. I immediately realized I am more precise and get better feedback w/ something firm that has no flex. (I also broke a handful of blades each of the last two years. That was always an inconvenience in the field.) And that's it - the scalpels are wonderful and made my life better - until I found a blade sharpener I could use. I guess I should add that there is a bonus in the household that my wife's kitchen knives are all sporting new edges to boot.

-B

I have the same system. It’s effective enough I left my Havalons at home and carried my old fix blade knifes on my moose hunt. I get my kitchen knifes so sharp you can read the recipe card though a slice of tomato!

 

[JD338]

I've used ceramic cross sticks and an old leather belt for years. I'm thinking I might upgrade.
Thanks for posting this.

JD338

 

[truck driver]

When I was around 12yrs old my sisters boy friend taught me how he was taught by the USN to sharpen a knife using a wet stone and spit. I soon learned I could get a sharper edge using oil. Then I discovered the Lansky sharpening system when I was in my late 20ys. I wore my first out a few years ago and have replaced it with a new one.
This is the first I have heard of the Work Sharp which looks like a top end piece of equipment.

 

[clearwater]

I've used ceramic cross sticks and an old leather belt for years. I'm thinking I might upgrade.
Thanks for posting this.

JD338

I use a worksharp for the initial edge but find the ceramic cross sticks give a sharper edge and are mostly what is needed to maintain it. The worksharp removes a lot of material fast, too fast for high quality knives that hold an edge.

It looks like the worksharp model I have doesn't include stones, so it may indeed be a superior system.

 

[IdahoCTD]

The Outdoor Edge replaceable blade knives are much stiffer than the Havalon and Gerber knives. They have an aluminum spine the blades slide into that makes them much stiffer. I havent run a fixed blade knife in forever it seems. I carry 2 with me and a elk usually takes both to bone out. Its easier to grab another knife rather than trying to change a blade in the middle and they are super light. I have used my Worksharp to sharpen the blades in the past.