Using systems like Wicked Edge, TSProf, or similar professionally?

[Oceanrider]

I read the term "professional" with the upper end of these blade sharpening systems(Wicked Edge, TSProf, etc.).

I know people use Tormek's professionally, there are numerous videos of professional blade sharpeners using them.

But I can't find actual professionals using systems like the Wicked Edge, TSProf, or others like these.

Are these systems really used professionally?

[Edgepal]

I recomend that my tool Chef are used together with Tormek. The big jobs are thrn made with Tormek and the fine jobs with Chef, like exact wanted degrees -'this for pros that have only minutes to sharen an edge.

It is possible to sharpen normal dull edges wth this type of tools - but not wreck knifes ( thats often kom in for sharpening insead for reparation five times the normal price)...

As a pro you have about 3 minutes time to sharpen a edge propperly, you cannot do that 8 hour a day, day after day, with a handtool and get some money out of it....sorry...

[blgentry]

"Professional" is just another marketing adjective.  I'm sure the products from those companies, that are their "professional" product are really nicely made and include all of the toys.  

But, to echo what Edge Pal said, you can't really sharpen manually and make much money.  There are guys doing it.  Over on the old knife forums site, there was a retired guy with the handle "Old Navy".  He sharpened mostly high end kitchen knives using Japanese water stones.  He got a reputation for doing it and had clients that wanted him to do the manual method because it had more appeal to them for their expensive Japanese knives.

I've seen a craigslist ad or two with people advertising that they use an EdgePro or something similar.  Or even by hand.  I've done a good handful of average ultra, ultra dull blades by hand.  Several for restaurants.  It is tiresome thankless work.  Power tools are where it's at for sharpening the average blade.  With an angle guide, and some care, I think you can do a very nice job with a power tool.  At the risk of over using my videos... here's a nice look at a blade I sharpened using the Kalamazoo 1SM and the KalyRest.  As I say in the video. I'm pretty satisfied with the precision of the job I did on this blade.





I guess it all depends upon what you want to achieve.  If you want to cater to higher end knife customers with a manual method, you probably could do that.  The hard part is finding those people that are willing to pay higher end sharpening rates for a manual method.  Also taking on the risk of damaging higher end blades during sharpening.  

You could certainly sharpen everything manually with one of these systems, but your money earned versus your time would be very, very low compared to using a belt sander or similar.

Brian.

[Oceanrider]

"Professional" is just another marketing adjective.  I'm sure the products from those companies, that are their "professional" product are really nicely made and include all of the toys.  

But, to echo what Edge Pal said, you can't really sharpen manually and make much money.  There are guys doing it.  Over on the old knife forums site, there was a retired guy with the handle "Old Navy".  He sharpened mostly high end kitchen knives using Japanese water stones.  He got a reputation for doing it and had clients that wanted him to do the manual method because it had more appeal to them for their expensive Japanese knives.

I've seen a craigslist ad or two with people advertising that they use an EdgePro or something similar.  Or even by hand.  I've done a good handful of average ultra, ultra dull blades by hand.  Several for restaurants.  It is tiresome thankless work.  Power tools are where it's at for sharpening the average blade.  With an angle guide, and some care, I think you can do a very nice job with a power tool.  At the risk of over using my videos... here's a nice look at a blade I sharpened using the Kalamazoo 1SM and the KalyRest.  As I say in the video. I'm pretty satisfied with the precision of the job I did on this blade.

I guess it all depends upon what you want to achieve.  If you want to cater to higher end knife customers with a manual method, you probably could do that.  The hard part is finding those people that are willing to pay higher end sharpening rates for a manual method.  Also taking on the risk of damaging higher end blades during sharpening.  

You could certainly sharpen everything manually with one of these systems, but your money earned versus your time would be very, very low compared to using a belt sander or similar.

Brian.

Thanks for your reply EdgePal. Looks like you have designed some good systems.

Brian,

Have you ever seen this video... https://www.hertzmann.com/articles/2015/perfect/

[blgentry]

I had not seen that site or that video.  I enjoyed it.

This "Perfect Edge" system seems well thought out.  The steps are what many (most?) pro sharpeners do.

I'm a little curious as to the final edge product.  Mostly whether it is really polished, like you see from compound on leather, or if it's really toothy (like Grepper's method), or if they are managing to make the mythical "polished toothy edge".  When done correctly, the toothy polished edge is a fantastic cutter.

Brian.

[Oceanrider]

I had not seen that site or that video.  I enjoyed it.

This "Perfect Edge" system seems well thought out.  The steps are what many (most?) pro sharpeners do.

I'm a little curious as to the final edge product.  Mostly whether it is really polished, like you see from compound on leather, or if it's really toothy (like Grepper's method), or if they are managing to make the mythical "polished toothy edge".  When done correctly, the toothy polished edge is a fantastic cutter.

Brian.

Yeah that website has some good info.  Here is another: https://www.hertzmann.com/techniques/ind...e_of_Knife

http://www.hertzmann.com