I have the original Ken Onion version and the tool sharpening attachment. LOVE it! A couple of comments. The instructions for mine warns against allowing the tip of the knife to come all the way through. They suggest stopping when the tip is at mid-belt width to make sure the geometry of the tip remains the same as the rest of the blade. The other is that if you're in a pinch, cut sandpaper to width in strips and use fiber packing tape to graft the ends together on the back side. Also, don't make your cuts perpendicular to the length of the strip, but it an angle so the joints don't separate on the rollers under tension.
You are correct as always 😄 I think you roll the knife when it comes to the tip to keep it perpendicular to the belt 👍 And a great tip for making new belts! 💡
I have been considering one as well. Always wondered about the cost-value. Appears to make sense to get the top end model for all its features. The old "buy once, cry once and enjoy for life" Thanks for sharing Michael
So very true Mark!! They are currently on sale at Cabelas but I should have grab the Elite model with the extra jig. But I think 90% of people would be happy with this exact model too! 👍
Well done again, you present it well enough so that one can make an informed decision. I wonder if there is a difference in the blade edge as on one side it is sharpened away from the blade and the other side into the blade? I know when I use a bench grinder on large things like mower blades, grinding away can leave a slight burr edge. I await a video of you using a cordless model beside the campfire!
You bring up a good point about the sharpening direction - I have not noticed a difference but I always fishing with a leather strop which does final hone the blade and remove any burrs. I have the blade grinding attachment which you might like to see used in my upcoming video 👍
If you want to keep your tips from rounding off, stop the belt while the tip is still touching. If you draw it off, like in the video, your tips will all round off. Also, be super careful not to dwell on the heel as you start your draw. Back when I used one of these regularly, I’ve ground a recurve into many of my old knives. Still a great tool, but I basically only use it for lawnmower blades, axe heads, etc.
Good point! I can see how you can rounded some tips off - I'll try to remember those points when I sharpen my knives next time! 👍 Mostly I'll be using it to get badly damaged knives back to some place workable. Its a bit more accurate than my angle grinder with a fine sanding disc which I'm using now 😄
I found that if you rotate the blade (handle up) when you hit the curve you can keep the edge perpendicular to the blade. Seems to work fine and everything I've sharpened so far appears to have the correct geometry. 👍
The blade grinding attachment is a game changer. I restored a razor 14 degree polished edge on my Wusthof Icon kitchen knives. I’ve had the Ken Onion edition kit for 6 or 7 months and learning curve is short for getting great edges
Great review. I picked one up after watching your review. Sharpening my knives has always been a struggle till now. 👍
I'm glad you are enjoying it! It's amazing how much easier it makes sharpening 👍
I have the original Ken Onion version and the tool sharpening attachment. LOVE it! A couple of comments. The instructions for mine warns against allowing the tip of the knife to come all the way through. They suggest stopping when the tip is at mid-belt width to make sure the geometry of the tip remains the same as the rest of the blade. The other is that if you're in a pinch, cut sandpaper to width in strips and use fiber packing tape to graft the ends together on the back side. Also, don't make your cuts perpendicular to the length of the strip, but it an angle so the joints don't separate on the rollers under tension.
You are correct as always 😄 I think you roll the knife when it comes to the tip to keep it perpendicular to the belt 👍 And a great tip for making new belts! 💡
How do you do it?
I have been considering one as well. Always wondered about the cost-value. Appears to make sense to get the top end model for all its features. The old "buy once, cry once and enjoy for life" Thanks for sharing Michael
So very true Mark!! They are currently on sale at Cabelas but I should have grab the Elite model with the extra jig. But I think 90% of people would be happy with this exact model too! 👍
Nice content. Thumbs up for sure.
Appreciate that, thanks for watching!
I’ve had my eye on one for years. Nice demo👊
Great tool - surprisingly good! - glad you enjoyed the review!
Well done again, you present it well enough so that one can make an informed decision. I wonder if there is a difference in the blade edge as on one side it is sharpened away from the blade and the other side into the blade? I know when I use a bench grinder on large things like mower blades, grinding away can leave a slight burr edge. I await a video of you using a cordless model beside the campfire!
You bring up a good point about the sharpening direction - I have not noticed a difference but I always fishing with a leather strop which does final hone the blade and remove any burrs. I have the blade grinding attachment which you might like to see used in my upcoming video 👍
If you want to keep your tips from rounding off, stop the belt while the tip is still touching. If you draw it off, like in the video, your tips will all round off. Also, be super careful not to dwell on the heel as you start your draw. Back when I used one of these regularly, I’ve ground a recurve into many of my old knives.
Still a great tool, but I basically only use it for lawnmower blades, axe heads, etc.
Good point! I can see how you can rounded some tips off - I'll try to remember those points when I sharpen my knives next time! 👍 Mostly I'll be using it to get badly damaged knives back to some place workable. Its a bit more accurate than my angle grinder with a fine sanding disc which I'm using now 😄
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors ha! definitely better than that for the rough work!
Man can never have a sharp anuf nife or a nuf rope ?. So old folks say . Thanks for your time explaining the sharpen tool. Arth.
Yup - You can never have too much of either - and if you do - stash some incase you run out!! 😄
I thought you are supposed to stop in the middle of the belt so you don't round out the tip of the blade?
I found that if you rotate the blade (handle up) when you hit the curve you can keep the edge perpendicular to the blade. Seems to work fine and everything I've sharpened so far appears to have the correct geometry. 👍
The blade grinding attachment is a game changer. I restored a razor 14 degree polished edge on my Wusthof Icon kitchen knives. I’ve had the Ken Onion edition kit for 6 or 7 months and learning curve is short for getting great edges
i like it
Thanks!