Keep Your Knives Sharp With Wicked Edge

As an outdoor enthusiast, homesteader, and survivalist, knives are an important tool. I use them every day, either in the woods or at home. Having a sharp knife is as important as fire. I would feel lost if I didn’t carry one. Almost everyone I know carries at least a pocket knife daily. My dad always carried a pocket knife, usually so that he could cut up an apple to share.

Knives have multiple purposes at our house. We use them for camping, backpacking, and hiking. We use them for food preservation like canning 300 pounds of tomatoes or making beef jerky or cutting up a deer for the freezer. My kitchen knives even take a beating because I cook family dinner for 40 people every week. That is why it is so important for me to have sharp knives. Just like any tool, you need to keep your knives in top shape. That is why I love Wicked Edge. **Please note, I have received compensation for this post and product. However, I only review and recommend products that I love.

I am comfortable sharpening knives. I spent many years working at a meat shop and learning how to make my knives sharp. I keep all my knives at home in peak condition. It’s better to be cut by a sharp knife than a dull one. However, even if you use a rod or stone, you may not get the sharpest blade and you often damage it by scraping or nicking it. With Wicked Edge, because you can pick your angle or grit, and sharpen both sides simultaneously, you end up with the perfect edge and no damage. I have never had a knife get sharp so quickly or as evenly, like I did with the Wicked Edge.

For the purpose of demoing this knife sharpener, I used a hard, stainless-steel butcher knife. Hard steel can be a challenge to sharpen, but if sharpened properly, it can hold an edge for some time. This knife has not been sharpened properly, as you can see from the scrapes and scratches along the blade. Because it is a touch-up and is has a decent edge already, I used the 800/1000 grit Diamond Stones.

I received the WE130 Precision Sharpener with the aluminum base. It is Wicked Edge’s most versatile knife sharpener. The patented Generation 3 Cam-Lock Vise enables you to secure your knife while sharpening so that it doesn’t slip, to prevent damage to your blade and yourself. Because of the design, you can use this on a wide array of knives including pocket knives, butcher knives and bush knives. You can also sharpen a wide array of blade widths and types. The 10” guide rods allow you to sharpen blades as long as 15” and a width up to 3/16” of an inch. 

In addition, I also received a set of 800/1000 grit Diamond Stones, perfect for maintaining and keeping your blade razor sharp. And I also received a set of Micro Fine Ceramic Stones for refining your edge.

How does it work? A vise holds your knife steady while you use stones positioned on two adjustable rods to sharpen your knife. You can adjust the angle of the stone and interchangeable stones let you change the coarseness of the grit depending on if you are repairing or touching up a blade. When using a more traditional method like a hand stone, rod or even an electric sharpener, you do not have the option to customize your angle or adjust the grain of the stone. With the right angle, stone and being able to sharpen both sides at once, you can get the perfect edge without compromising the blade.

How easy is it to use? It comes ready to use out of the box except for it needs to be mounted. You can either mount it on a purchased aluminum or granite base with pre-drilled holes, or it comes with directions on how to mount it on another surface with a template so you can do it correctly. I received the aluminum base, and it is very heavy and heavy-duty, so I felt there was no need to mount it to any other surface. The Wicked Eedge sharpener also comes with a very comprehensive manual, with multiple tips and a clear step-by-step guide to sharpen your knives. You do not have to be an expert to use this sharpener.

A Few Quick Tips: It is best to read the manual before first use, so you can easily utilize the great tips and information provided. If you know the make of your knife and size, you can go to the Wicked Edge website to check their database for the best settings for that blade. The manual comes with a log, so that you can keep track of the angles and tension used for each knife so that a touch up can quickly be made.

What Do I love Best About Wicked Edge? There are many things that make Wicked Edge a great product and a great company. The fact that I can keep my knives in good shape and sharp without damaging them, is icing on the cake. There are also some other reasons why I would choose Wicked Edge:

• Wicked Edge is a small, family- owned company. I support small businesses.
• They are customer focused and have excellent customer support. Purchasing a quality knife sharpener is an investment and Wicked Edge provides the best support such as a free online forum at https://knife.wickededgeusa.com.
• They are employee-driven
• Community-oriented
• Made in the USA. I strive to purchase only American-made items.
• Quality- Wicked Edge makes quality products. You can tell just by the feel of it and after use, that it is made to last. 

This is a great product for any outdoor enthusiast, prepper, survivalist, hunter or knife collector. Keep that knife in perfect shape and ready to use on your next adventure. To find out more, including useful videos and resources, go to wickededge usa.com and their online forum for a free and friendly place for all things knife sharpening. And because they have only ONE SALE A YEAR on Black Friday, follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to find out more about their special #BlackFriday promotion.