Buying guide: Wicked Edge sharpening systems

The Wicked Edge sharpening systems are very advanced and sharpen your knives with unparalleled precision. In the basis you can make a distinction between five different systems. And several versions of these systems are available, with a wide range of included accessories. But which system will suit you best? Hopefully this article will help you decide.

Which Wicked Edge systems exist?

As said Wicked Edge produces different systems which all have their own specific characteristics. We make a distinction between - in random order - the Wicked Edge Precision sharpener, the Wicked Edge Pro-Pack, the Wicked Edge Generation 3, the Wicked Edge GO and the Wicked Edge Portable Pro.

All Wicked Sharpening systems adhere to the following basic principle. You place your knife with the spine in an upright clamp, determine the preferred sharpening angle and slide the sharpening stones with the desired grain size on both sides over the guiding rods. Afterwards you place the first rod - it doesn't matter which - against the heel of the blade and move the stone towards the tip. In doing so you use the entire length of the sharpening stone, which, as such, you do not only move sideways but also up. Child's play really!

Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener

The Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener is perhaps the most 'basic' Wicked Edge sharpening system there is. It is available in two versions - WE120 and WE130 - and consists of a clamp, a degree bar to determine the sharpening angle, the famous guiding rods and four sharpening stones (grain 100/200 and 400/600). This sharpening system does not come with a base. Fortunately you can order this separately.

The difference between the 120 and 130 is that the latter is enhanced with the clamp we know from the Generation 3. The sprung halves of the clamp make sure that the knife is always neatly centred. And with only one movement you can secure or loosen the clamp. You do, however, secure the 'regular' clamp on one side, while the other side is immobile. As such you have a small chance of a small difference in the sharpening angle between both sides of the, to be sharpened, knife.

Wicked Edge Pro-Pack

The Pro-Pack collection is comprised of three editions, with the appropriate names of Pro-Pack 1, 2 and 3. In terms of available accessories this is the most versatile Wicked Edge system.

Pro-Pack 1

All Pro-Packs have the following basis: an aluminium base, the system we have grown accustomed to from the Precision Sharpener, at least six different two-sided sharpening stones (three for each side of your knife), two leather strops with diamond paste, an allen key to secure the clamp, a so-called 'depth key' you can use to secure your knife perpendicularly in the clamp at the desired height, a small ruler and, of course, material to assemble it. Put all of this together and you will have the Wicked Edge Pro-Pack 1.

Pro-Pack 2

The Pro-Pack 2 has been enhanced with a couple of practical additions to this basis set. The Pro-Pack 2, for instance, is enhanced with two additional ceramic sharpening stones for finer polishing jobs, and an incredibly practical digital angle meter to accurately determine the desired sharpening angle.

Pro-Pack 3

All these features are, of course, also a part of the Pro-Pack 3, enhanced with all other imaginable accessories. For instance, in addition to the large selection of sharpening stones and strops you also receive the so-called 'diamond lapping film': polishing tapes with a diamond-coated sharpening layer. You secure them on a stone which has, on one side, a 1500 grain diamond sharpening layer and, on the other side, a piece of glass on which you can secure the tape. This stone replaces the ceramic stones that come with the Pro-Pack 2.

You also receive two vials of diamond emulsion from the famous stropping brand Jende. This emulsion needs to be applied to leather strops for a mirrored edge. You also receive the 'advanced angle guide', a type of logbook you can use to keep track of how you secured your knives in the Wicked Edge. As such you can make sure that the next time you sharpen using the exact same angle.

The Pro-Pack 3 also contains a 'low angle adapter'. This is a type of extra clamp which you place in the existing clamp of the system. The result: your knife is placed in a higher position to make sure you can make the sharpening angle even smaller up to no less than 8 degrees. You also receive additional clamp parts to secure knives with an extra thick blade. The 'standard' clamp is the advanced version from the Generation 3.

Finally, the Pro-Pack 3 comes with a decent, robust case. In it you have enough room for the included parts, but also extra room for items you can purchase separately.

Wicked Edge Generation 3

We have mentioned it a couple of times but for a good reason: the Generation 3 is a complete and advanced sharpening system. Especially the rapid angle adjustment mechanism is according to many an advantage compared to most other Wicked Edge systems. But also the 'robust' look and feel and decency make this system very popular.

Another aspect where the Generation 3 differs from the other collections is the way the sharpening angle is set. You can namely easily do this via a lever. As a result you no longer have to move the rods by hand. In addition, you will know for sure that they have the exact same angle on both sides, a clear advantage compared to the other systems. Finally, this sharpening system comes with a solid storage case.

Wicked Edge GO

The Wicked Edge GO excels in terms of simplicity. It has all the functional basic qualities each Wicked Edge system has, but no other remarkable accessories. You can, however, purchase these separately. The GO does not have a base, but can be attached to a workbench or table with the included workbench clamp. In addition, you also receive two sharpening stones with grain 200/600. These can be stored in the system itself to make sure the whole is nice and compact. It is the perfect sharpening system for on the road.

The Wicked Edge GO comes with a practical transportation bag with enough room to store and transport all basic parts. Are you planning to purchase additional accessories? If so the version with the 'deluxe bag' might be the better option! It has room for two additional sharpening stones or strops.

Wicked Edge Portable Pro

The Wicked Edge Portable Pro is the compact version of the Precision Sharpener. Like the GO it is perfect for on the road. It doesn't have a base, but a so-called C-clamp, to secure the system on a table or workbench. The Portable Pro comes with a practical storage case which you can easily take with you.

The Portable Pro has the Generation 3 clamp with lever and four sharpening stones with grain 100/200 and 400/600.

Too much information? In the table listed below you can see which qualities the different systems have and don't have. Hopefully this will help you make the right choice.

Wicked Edge sharpening systems are all highly advanced sharpening systems that allow you to sharpen knives with unparalleled precision. There are a number of different systems within the Wicked Edge range. And several versions of these systems are available, with a wide selection of included accessories. But which system will suit you best? This article will lay out the similarities and differences between each series!

Similarities between Wicked Edge sharpening systems

As mentioned above, Wicked Edge makes a number of systems, all of which have their own specific attributes. All of the Wicked Edge sharpening systems adhere to the following basic principle. You place your knife with the spine in an upright clamp, determine the preferred sharpening angle and slide the sharpening stones with the desired grit size on both sides over the guiding rods. You then place the first rod against the heel of the blade and move the stone towards the tip. In doing so, you use the entire length of the sharpening stone, which means you don't just move it sideways but also upwards. The Wicked Edge sharpening stones can be used on any Wicked Edge sharpening system.

Conclusion

All the Wicked Edge sharpening systems have the same essence. What differentiates the sharpening systems from each other is the clamp and the supplied accessories. Choosing between sharpening systems is never easy, but hopefully it is now a bit clearer what the similarities and differences are. Whether you decide to go for a Precision Sharpener, Pro Pack or a Generation 3, a Wicked Edge sharpening system is one of the most accurate and expandable sharpening systems you can have at home.