work sharp field sharpener opinions / question

[jayjaygee]

I'm thinking of buying my father a Work Sharp Field Sharpener for Christmas (or whenever) but I am concerned about the 20 degree hard-built angle. Can anyone share their experiences with the Work sharp - specifically on this topic?

Basically I'm wondering how many common knives come with a 20 degree edge? I don't like the idea of reprofiling blades.

Also if a knife doesn't have a 20 degree edge, is the Work sharp field sharpener still useful? For example, I read that a Spyderco Delica should be sharpened at 15 degrees. What about a Dragonfly? I'd hate to buy a sharpener that doesn't match the knife I might buy it for.

Normally I sharpen freehand, and so does my father, but a guide might be helpful for him these days. But that means neither of us have ever really paid attention to the degree of the angle, we just go by feel.

 

[Another Shepherd]

Basically I'm wondering how many common knives come with a 20 degree edge?

I have data on over 100 knives, including lots of Benchmade and Spyderco knives and some of various other brands. Maybe I can post something later.

Very few knives come with exactly 20 degrees per side. Lots are somewhere around 20 DPS. Lots are very different.

On the other hand, the Work Sharp Field Sharpener and the Spyderco Sharpmaker seem to work fine for many people, a fact that surprises me.

 

[abraves]

I have a field sharpener that I keep in my truck. I love it. I have a few knives that have 20, 17, 22. What I do is use a sharpie and mark edge then get a feel for the angle needed then I’m good to go. I will say a lot of my knives are 20*. If this is something for home maybe something different. I have 3 different worksharp sharpeners. I like them. I’m sure there is better or others this is what works for me.

 

[Vlade]

I have a work sharp sharpener. But it's a guided type with the rods. I know you are talking about a different one. All of my knives eventually end up with a 20 degree angle. Some people like it like that ,,others not so much.

 

[hangmanshammer]

one of the good things about the worksharp field sharpener is that you don't have to use the guides if you don't want to.

 

[jayjaygee]

What I do is use a sharpie and mark edge then get a feel for the angle needed then I’m good to go.

Okay, so does that mean that you just ignore the guides/ramps?

 

[hangmanshammer]

yes, you can ignore the guides

 

[abraves]

Okay, so does that mean that you just ignore the guides/ramps?

Some knives yes. Many of mine are a 20* so I can use the guides. I just use them to get a feel then I’m good. One thing I’ve noticed with the guides is as you sharpen your knife will get diamond dust or some kind of dust on it then as you continually use the guides you will get some scratches on your blade. If that matters to you then be careful.

 

[jayjaygee]

Thanks, I decided against this. The whole purpose is to give him guides to use, but if the guides cause scratching or will make him change his blade profiles, there's no point. And the idea that you can ignore the guides is really silly. He could just use the stones he already has!

Thanks everyone. I found something else for him for christmas.

 

[Guy McVer]

I'm thinking of buying my father a Work Sharp Field Sharpener for Christmas (or whenever) but I am concerned about the 20 degree hard-built angle. Can anyone share their experiences with the Work sharp - specifically on this topic?

Basically I'm wondering how many common knives come with a 20 degree edge? I don't like the idea of reprofiling blades.

Also if a knife doesn't have a 20 degree edge, is the Work sharp field sharpener still useful? For example, I read that a Spyderco Delica should be sharpened at 15 degrees. What about a Dragonfly? I'd hate to buy a sharpener that doesn't match the knife I might buy it for.

Normally I sharpen freehand, and so does my father, but a guide might be helpful for him these days. But that means neither of us have ever really paid attention to the degree of the angle, we just go by feel.

Think about this carefully. This is simple geometry we are talking about. Reprofiling isn't going to be an issue unless your knife edge angle is greater than 20 degrees per side. How many knives do you or your father own with an angle larger than 20 dps? I'm willing to bet it's not many.

The real question is whether you are willing to start sharpening your knives at 20 dps, because that's the angle they'll all eventually become. Unless their angle is greater than 20 dps, they will all sharpen very easily at 20 dps without you needing to go through a lengthy reprofiling process. You will only need to reprofile them if you want to go back to their original angles.

In other words, it's a commitment. Do you want to stick with 20 dps on your knives or not? If not, then don't get the guided field sharpener.