- Joined
- Feb 15, 2014
- Messages
- 286
Yesterday, I did a comparison between my WorkSharp, KO and my Jet Wet Sharpener.
Both require 110 volts to run.
Both are upper tier appliances, not the least expensive sharpening solutions.
Jet Wet Sharpener $315 plus $40 if you want a blade jig (I don't use it, preferring to get a convex edge doing freehand) The Jet can be upgraded with a lazy susan, and a two drawer pedestal. Those two items, push the Jet to over $400 total cost.
WorkSharp Ken Onion with Blade Grinder, and two sets of belts, including leather strop $$315
So, dollar for dollar, they are the pretty much the same price, depending on what equipment you purchase to go along with your sharpeners.
(The WorkSharp can be purchased as a basic model for around $80. The Ken Onion edition, with no blade grinder attachment, is $140 )
Speed? The Jet is quicker, but both sharpeners are the fastest sharpeners I have tested.
The WorkSharp has very fine grit belts you can use, to get a mirror polish, if that is what you want. The polishing wheel on the Jet, also gives a nice mirror finish.
The air quality of your sharpening room, stays clean, and you do not end up with dust on everything, with the Jet, as the filings from the blade, are captured in the water. The WorkSharp, has you breathing dust particles of who knows what, it is nasty stuff. It also dusts the whole room you are in.
Both sharpeners, keep from super heating the blade, so there is no damage to the temper in the steel. If you do any heavy grinding on the WorkSharp, you can damage the temper. Because of the water on the Jet, I would think it would be impossible to hurt the temper in a blade.
The WorkSharp, you always get a convex edge. On the Jet, you get a convex edge, if that is what you want, by slightly changing your angle across the stone, as you freehand. Multiple, gentle passes, and then the strop wheel, polishes the blade to a mirror convex. If you do not want a convex edge, you can use a jig, and angle guide bar. Personally, I prefer the edge I get, freehanding on the Jet.
The jet is a counter top appliance, that works best in a workshop, not really something you want in a living area, or kitchen. The WorkSharp, is smaller, easier to store in a box, or cabinet.
My bottom line vote is mixed. If I were going to a knife show to sharpen knives, or a gun show, I think the jet is faster. Less work to use, as you are not constantly changing belts.
If I had one pocket knife, I wanted an anal edge on, I would choose the WorkSharp.
If I were against a dirty shop, I would choose the Jet. If I were fearful of dust in my lungs, I would choose the Jet.
If I were in an apartment, where noise was a factor, the Jet is whisper quiet.
The Jet looks nicer. Has a very professional look to it.
The WorkSharp is more portable.
Which gives the sharpest results? Tie. Any advantage in one over the other, is operator induced.
Which is the easiest to use? The Jet has less fussing to do, by not having to change belts, but you do have to either master using it freehand, or work with a jig you attach to the blade. The WorkSharp is more on the simple side. A little easier to learn to use correctly. I would say, the ease of use gets better for the Jet, after you use it a lot. Sharpening 100 knives in a row on the Jet would be much easier and faster than the same project on the WorkSharp.
If I could only purchase one of these, which one would I purchase? The Jet. If a person gives it a chance, is the better overall sharpening solution. Minimum cost to get into one, is more than getting started on the WorkSharp. Twice as much. In the end, the cost of purchasing, and using the Jet, is less, as the grinding wheel, will last for many years, and not need replacing for a very long time. The Jet will also sharpen anything you could ever want, including drill bits, and woodworking tools.
The winner? The Jet. Not a run away win, but the Jet is an amazing sharpening tool, that is the slight winner.
Both require 110 volts to run.
Both are upper tier appliances, not the least expensive sharpening solutions.
Jet Wet Sharpener $315 plus $40 if you want a blade jig (I don't use it, preferring to get a convex edge doing freehand) The Jet can be upgraded with a lazy susan, and a two drawer pedestal. Those two items, push the Jet to over $400 total cost.
WorkSharp Ken Onion with Blade Grinder, and two sets of belts, including leather strop $$315
So, dollar for dollar, they are the pretty much the same price, depending on what equipment you purchase to go along with your sharpeners.
(The WorkSharp can be purchased as a basic model for around $80. The Ken Onion edition, with no blade grinder attachment, is $140 )
Speed? The Jet is quicker, but both sharpeners are the fastest sharpeners I have tested.
The WorkSharp has very fine grit belts you can use, to get a mirror polish, if that is what you want. The polishing wheel on the Jet, also gives a nice mirror finish.
The air quality of your sharpening room, stays clean, and you do not end up with dust on everything, with the Jet, as the filings from the blade, are captured in the water. The WorkSharp, has you breathing dust particles of who knows what, it is nasty stuff. It also dusts the whole room you are in.
Both sharpeners, keep from super heating the blade, so there is no damage to the temper in the steel. If you do any heavy grinding on the WorkSharp, you can damage the temper. Because of the water on the Jet, I would think it would be impossible to hurt the temper in a blade.
The WorkSharp, you always get a convex edge. On the Jet, you get a convex edge, if that is what you want, by slightly changing your angle across the stone, as you freehand. Multiple, gentle passes, and then the strop wheel, polishes the blade to a mirror convex. If you do not want a convex edge, you can use a jig, and angle guide bar. Personally, I prefer the edge I get, freehanding on the Jet.
The jet is a counter top appliance, that works best in a workshop, not really something you want in a living area, or kitchen. The WorkSharp, is smaller, easier to store in a box, or cabinet.
My bottom line vote is mixed. If I were going to a knife show to sharpen knives, or a gun show, I think the jet is faster. Less work to use, as you are not constantly changing belts.
If I had one pocket knife, I wanted an anal edge on, I would choose the WorkSharp.
If I were against a dirty shop, I would choose the Jet. If I were fearful of dust in my lungs, I would choose the Jet.
If I were in an apartment, where noise was a factor, the Jet is whisper quiet.
The Jet looks nicer. Has a very professional look to it.
The WorkSharp is more portable.
Which gives the sharpest results? Tie. Any advantage in one over the other, is operator induced.
Which is the easiest to use? The Jet has less fussing to do, by not having to change belts, but you do have to either master using it freehand, or work with a jig you attach to the blade. The WorkSharp is more on the simple side. A little easier to learn to use correctly. I would say, the ease of use gets better for the Jet, after you use it a lot. Sharpening 100 knives in a row on the Jet would be much easier and faster than the same project on the WorkSharp.
If I could only purchase one of these, which one would I purchase? The Jet. If a person gives it a chance, is the better overall sharpening solution. Minimum cost to get into one, is more than getting started on the WorkSharp. Twice as much. In the end, the cost of purchasing, and using the Jet, is less, as the grinding wheel, will last for many years, and not need replacing for a very long time. The Jet will also sharpen anything you could ever want, including drill bits, and woodworking tools.
The winner? The Jet. Not a run away win, but the Jet is an amazing sharpening tool, that is the slight winner.
