Edge pro Apex or Tormek T4 or?

R

roknjs

Joined
Apr 15, 2005
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I’m not planning to start a sharpening business. But I have several nice knives that I like to use. I have others that aren’t as nice that get used more. I have a belt sander, bench stones, water stones, etc…. But I want a nice sharpener I can use to keep all my knives and maybe A few for the family sharp. I’m looking at an Edge Pro Apex or a Tormek T4. What are the pros/cons of each?
 
My vote goes to Wicked Edge. You might want to wait until the new WE60 comes up for sale in probably January. I'm not allowed to talk about it much right now but I believe that it will be the most popular system that they've ever sold.
 
roknjs said:
I’m not planning to start a sharpening business. But I have several nice knives that I like to use. I have others that aren’t as nice that get used more. I have a belt sander, bench stones, water stones, etc…. But I want a nice sharpener I can use to keep all my knives and maybe A few for the family sharp. I’m looking at an Edge Pro Apex or a Tormek T4. What are the pros/cons of each?
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I really like the edge pro concept, but that is my personal choice. Suits me, but just a suggestion, before you commit, try a copy type, can be found for about $20 online. Then if you like it, get the real deal. Might save you from committing to a style that you don't like or does not suit you. Just a thought.
 
Different opinion….. buying one of the copies may lead you to believe the apex is junk like the copies are.
I wouldn’t waste money on the clones. The Apex is the original and arguably the best at what it does. Any sharpener has a learning curve to it and it’s best to learn on some cheap thrift store knives first. The Tormek is a brilliant sharpener also but not as suited to beginners very well. It is best left to those who have sharpening down real well IMO. I have a different brand sharpener myself, but have nothing but good to say about the Apex. I think it’s a great place to start.
 
I've used the EP Apex for over 20 years now, my only regret was not getting the pro model. I was putting a razor edge on my first try with it, if you watch Ben Dale's videos, the learning curve is about 10 min.
 
roknjs said:
I’m not planning to start a sharpening business. But I have several nice knives that I like to use. I have others that aren’t as nice that get used more. I have a belt sander, bench stones, water stones, etc…. But I want a nice sharpener I can use to keep all my knives and maybe A few for the family sharp. I’m looking at an Edge Pro Apex or a Tormek T4. What are the pros/cons of each?
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As much as I enjoy the Tormek, I tell people that it's not a knife sharpener... it's main purpose is sharpening woodworking tools, that you can also sharpen a knife on. It'll work, but you have to learn to overcome its shortcomings.

Based on your post, I'd look at some of the alternatives others have given, that are more specialized in sharpening knives.
 
If you're looking at the Edge Pro type sharpening systems, then it would be much better to consider Hapstone or TSPROF sharpening systems. They are similar in price to Edge Pro, but in a different league altogether. They are far superior products in quality, usability and materials. There are various other excellent brands too, but not all are available in the US. Hapstone and TSPROF products are both available in the US from shops like Gritomatic.
 
I'll throw in a different opinion


I had a hapstone v7 since release, upgraded to a hapstone r2 when that was released and love it
 
I agree with the poster that suggested going right to the EP Pro model. That is what I did and it worked very well. Ben Dale is a great guy with a great product. It is not the cheapest as many have copied it but buy once and cry once. Look at his site with accessories available and his videos. Have Ben autograph it too.
 
I have been using Edge Pro Apex for a while. I do not like having to hold the knife in place. I get great results, though. Up to 3000 grit.

But when it comes to reprofiling the blade, it takes waaay too long. I don't like how my fingers feel holding that knife for and hour. I hold it tight (even though manual says you don't need to) because if I don't hold it tight the knife will move and change angle.
Benchmade and Kershaw (I don't buy Kershaw anymore because I only buy USA knives... limited selection, not all Benchmade is 100% USA) always have a different angle on each side. Also, you cannot custom order a Benchmade unsharpened....

Purchased the Tormek T4 and absolutely HATE it! It is too difficult to keep the same amount of pressure + keep the knife flat on the stone while moving (I know to move my body). When hitting the tip of the knife you need to move the blade handle up, which is basically free-handing it. So easy to twist the jig. The system relies on a human hand too much. Not precise, no one gets that perfect every time.

I think the only option I have is TSProf. Don't ask what model, I don't understand their lineup. Prolly gonna be another $800... I'm so pissed off about the Tormek I think I'm gonna forget about sharpening for a month or two. Went to bed pissed off and didn't workout 2 days in a row... hmmmm, i have anger issues lol

I think I addressed OP within my ramblings.
 
another vote for the Edge Pro Apex

the original. the best.
most suitable for beginners and wannabes
 
kreisler said:
another vote for the Edge Pro Apex

the original. the best.
most suitable for beginners and wannabes
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Honesty, there is no way on earth I would go for the Edge Pro Apex with the option of a Hapstone M3 for the same price, or a Hapstone R2 for very slightly more. I own most of the systems available (including the Edge Pro models), and there is no caparison at all. An Edge Pro is like a toy compared to a Hapstone.

The only reason I could see someone buying an Edge Pro over a Hapstone would be that the Edge Pro is US made - for someone who only wants to buy US made....but that's it. There is no comparison in quality at all, Hapstone is FAR superior.
 
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Another vote for the Hapstone R2. Get the Standard version along with the Venev Ursa stones and you are good to go.

I went from the Edge Pro to the KME to the Hapstone.
 
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I am just now discovering this Hapstone sharpener! Looks better than the TSProf because I still don't understand the difference between models they list.
The Hapstone uses APEX STONES???? Dude, I think this is it for me! THANK YOU!
 
nevertakeadayoff said:
I am just now discovering this Hapstone sharpener! Looks better than the TSProf because I still don't understand the difference between models they list.
The Hapstone uses APEX STONES???? Dude, I think this is it for me! THANK YOU!
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The Hapstone R2 / V8 / M3 will take all of the common stones. 4 inch KME size and 6 inch "Edge Pro" style (Apex stones, like you say). Hapstone and TSPROF are on par with quality, but the Hapstone is much better value for money. Have a look at all the Hapstone sharpener options on Gritomatic to check it out for yourself.
 
I recently went through this myself and bought a Wicked Edge during the Black Friday sale. I do feel its very nice but everything from them is overpriced. I could not sharpen most of my smaller pocket knives and had to buy the low angle adapter to be able to sharpen them. I could sharpen all my longer pocket knives but the smaller ones (2 inch blades) I would hit the holder. While I was at it, I also ordered some finer stones since the finest that came with it was 600grit. Next thing I know, my less expensive sharpener is the same price as a Tormek. And then I had a hard finding that "sweet spot" as they call it to get a consistent angle around the curved blades. I was really not happy with it and considered returning it, but my knives are now far sharper than I ever got them with a whetstone by hand. The low angle adapter would be a $10-15 part anywhere else that they charge $85 for but its bought and paid for now. My point is by the time you get what you need to sharpen anything besides bigger knives, the WE is going to cost you in accessories. But I like the concept and the quality is there, I am making repeatable angles and getting things really sharp even if I did some minor damage (that no one will ever know) damage to one of my favorite knives. I have a friend who has a Tormek and funny thing is, I prefer his Tormek, and after seeing the WE he prefers the WE but he uses the Tormek for his woodworking tools so no trade :( I really do like that I can repeatable angles on the WE, that is hard to do even on the Tormek.
I went for the WE over the Hapstone because I could do both sides at same time instead of turning knife over, I thought that would be faster, don't know if it is but I thought it would be.
 
Have the Hapstone R2 and it is far better in quality then the Edge Pro system.

With R2 I can sharpen my slipjoints to kitchen knives with ease
 
mikey_r said:
I recently went through this myself and bought a Wicked Edge during the Black Friday sale. I do feel its very nice but everything from them is overpriced. I could not sharpen most of my smaller pocket knives and had to buy the low angle adapter to be able to sharpen them. I could sharpen all my longer pocket knives but the smaller ones (2 inch blades) I would hit the holder. While I was at it, I also ordered some finer stones since the finest that came with it was 600grit. Next thing I know, my less expensive sharpener is the same price as a Tormek. And then I had a hard finding that "sweet spot" as they call it to get a consistent angle around the curved blades. I was really not happy with it and considered returning it, but my knives are now far sharper than I ever got them with a whetstone by hand. The low angle adapter would be a $10-15 part anywhere else that they charge $85 for but its bought and paid for now. My point is by the time you get what you need to sharpen anything besides bigger knives, the WE is going to cost you in accessories. But I like the concept and the quality is there, I am making repeatable angles and getting things really sharp even if I did some minor damage (that no one will ever know) damage to one of my favorite knives. I have a friend who has a Tormek and funny thing is, I prefer his Tormek, and after seeing the WE he prefers the WE but he uses the Tormek for his woodworking tools so no trade :( I really do like that I can repeatable angles on the WE, that is hard to do even on the Tormek.
I went for the WE over the Hapstone because I could do both sides at same time instead of turning knife over, I thought that would be faster, don't know if it is but I thought it would be.
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I have a Wicked Edge 130. On many small blades you can clamp the blade right under the nail nick. I have trouble with blades like the small sheepsfoot blade of my Buck 301 and the stones hitting the edge of the LAA when sharpening around the tip. So, I bought a Tormek small blade holder SVM-00 and it works well for sharpening small/short blades. It works great!

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