Knife sharpener

[jcam222]

Does the Ken Onion Work Sharp have adjustable angle for Asian knives as well? My Miyabi knife is 9. - 12 degrees

 

[one eyed jack]

one eyed jack, Trust me - I was checking Amazon daily deals daily.. Probably was not my luck...
but any ways - thanks for your advice... I guess it's little too late for me ..

Understood. I wanted to voice the suggestion for anyone looking for this sharpener. After using the sharpener for a while, I got to thinking that it's probably worth the normal asking price, anyway. I've used hand and power tools for 50 years and consider this one well thought out and made. Good value.

I was really surprised to see it as a daily deal after looking at them for so long. As they say, "Even a blind hog finds an acorn, every once in a while."

 

[clifish]

Does the Ken Onion Work Sharp have adjustable angle for Asian knives as well? My Miyabi knife is 9. - 12 degrees

15-30 degrees....not sure what sharpener goes to 9-12? Those must be high end sushi knives?

 

[forktender]

I can't see them putting the KO edition on sale for $59? That is $129 on their site. Maybe the regular $69 model but the KO?

You can buy the K.O. every day for $79 from Northern Tools. And once or twice a year they will be on sale for $69.
I meant to type in $69 not $59 I'll edit the post and yes they are the K.O. model, that's where I bought mine.

 

[forktender]

I saw the work sharp ones. Decided Not to get that because I didn't want my wife to try to use it.

If the sharpener you bought doesn't work out, you can always return it. The great thing about the W.S. sharpeners are really easy to use pretty much everyone can use them because they are so easy to use. My wife is pretty clumsy in the kitchen, and she uses it all the time with no problem at all.

 

[chilerelleno]

You can buy the K.O. every day for $79 from Northern Tools. And once or twice a year they will be on sale for $69.
I meant to type in $69 not $59 I'll edit the post and yes they are the K.O. model, that's where I bought mine.

Lets get specific.
Northern Tool sells the KO Work Sharp Blade Grinding Attachment for $79.95.
For use with Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener, Ken Onion Edition WSKTS-KO (Item# 41587, sold separately).
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200629334_200629334

The KOWS main unit is $129.95 at Northern Tool.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200615233_200615233

 

[xray]

I paid $86 for the K.O. on an Amazon daily deal. (Dec. of 18). I had been looking at them for a couple years but never pulled the trigger at full Amazon price.

Keep an eye on the Amazon daily deal. Every once in a while you can score pretty good.

one eyed jack, Trust me - I was checking Amazon daily deals daily.. Probably was not my luck...
but any ways - thanks for your advice... I guess it's little too late for me ..

Yeah, I bought my KO last year on the deals before Xmas last year. I knew I paid $80some dollars. It just came in the box with belts and instructions, Amazon called it “worry free packaging” or something to that effect.

I would have gladly have paid more.

Also if anybody is on the fence about them, the have them set up at Cabelas and they’ll sharpen some knives for you.

 

[sawhorseray]

Another vote for WS here, have had one for years and it does a great job keeping the everyday blades sharp as a razor. I've had three Wusthov blades for a couple of years now that have never seen anything but the sharpening steel, haven't needed to run them thru the WS yet. RAY

 

[Steve H]

If the sharpener you bought doesn't work out, you can always return it. The great thing about the W.S. sharpeners are really easy to use pretty much everyone can use them because they are so easy to use. My wife is pretty clumsy in the kitchen, and she uses it all the time with no problem at all.

My wife terrifies me in the kitchen! Have you ever seen a lefty cutting things??!!

 

[jcam222]

15-30 degrees....not sure what sharpener goes to 9-12? Those must be high end sushi knives?

My Miyabi 8” knife is 9-12 degrees. It is surgical and the hammered steel is a masterpiece lol. That said this sharpener would work for every other knife I own. I think I’ll be on the lookout for a deal and buy one.

 

[xray]

My wife terrifies me in the kitchen! Have you ever seen a lefty cutting things??!!

Ha, I’m a lefty. You know what they say, we can’t do anything Right!!

 

[forktender]

My wife terrifies me in the kitchen! Have you ever seen a lefty cutting things??!!

LOL...yes, I might be married to your wifes sister. Hahaha.

 

[Steve H]

Ha, I’m a lefty. You know what they say, we can’t do anything Right!!

My wife reminds me of this on a daily basis......

 

[Winterrider]

My wife terrifies me in the kitchen! Have you ever seen a lefty cutting things??!!

Yikes...
Got one also that tries to play in the kitchen.

 

[SmokinAl]

I have a Chefs Choice similar to that Steve, works excellent on thinner blade, and hunting knives. Haven't used my good knives on it yet( just a steel so far ). Have been thinking about the workstations for more versatility. Scissors, lawn mower blades, etc.

By the way Al, how has your sharpening (hobby/ side job) been doing?
Hope things are good...

It's going quite well I bought all the extra attachments that you can get for the KO, along with a couple of other sharpeners. It's turned into a great hobby/business. I'm even getting restaurants & dog groomers. I don't advertise, but if you google knife sharpening, or tool sharpening, or scissor sharpening in Sebring Florida. I'm right at the top of the list. Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread.
Al

 

[Steve H]

Got home yesterday and found this waiting for me

The sharpener itself is made well by the looks of it. Mostly plastic.

It has three different types of stones for course, medium, and fine/touch up sharpening.

The unit itself weighs a few pounds. And is a touch over 12 " in length.

Now it's time to give it a go. Plugged it in. Set it to medium for my santoku knife. And turned it on. The sharpener is pretty quiet. And there is very little vibration. Almost none at all.

I gave the knife 10 passes on the medium stone on each side of blade. Then about 20 on the fine stone in the same manner. The blade was a bit dull. And being in a hurry I used the knife block built in sharpener once before. Big mistake. It put nasty swirl marks on the edge. The knife now is nice and sharp. And went through a ripe tomato with ease and no pressure on the blade.

Not a good picture. But it is plenty sharp!
For 50.00 shipped this is a good investment. It looks good enough to stay on the counter. And the built in suction cups gives it a stable work platform. Especially on a granite surface. I have yet to see if there is a way to replace the stones. Though after that much use the machine itself maybe at its useful lifespan.With that in mind. I'll give it a 8/10

 

[Smokinoak]

Does the Ken Onion Work Sharp have adjustable angle for Asian knives as well? My Miyabi knife is 9. - 12 degrees

If you want to get a good edge on a knife of that value, I think you would do well to learn how to hone it by hand with the proper stones.

 

[Steve H]

If you want to get a good edge on a knife of that value, I think you would do well to learn how to hone it by hand with the proper stones.

I agree. The couple good knives I have will still be done by hand.

 

[Jabiru]

Very interesting thread and great review, sounds like you have picked up a good item there Steve.

I will see if I can get one in Aus as I am a bit over sharpening on the stone. Never thought the electric ones actually worked until now.

I worked as a slaughter man in my younger days, a great edge was required to get you through the shift. Cutting through burry wool was the real test for knife sharpening skills.

I learnt quickly or you would go home so sore from pushing the knife. I was what they called a sticker and we used to slaughter 3500 lambs a day, 30 beef and a few hundred pigs. Hard work that’s for sure.

 

[sawhorseray]

Very interesting thread and great review, sounds like you have picked up a good item there Steve.

I was what they called a sticker and we used to slaughter 3500 lambs a day, 30 beef and a few hundred pigs. Hard work that’s for sure.

My guess would be that you were eating pretty darned good back then! RAY