Misc. Gear

Lansky 4-rod Turn Box Crock Stick Sharpener Review

I have long been an advocate for the Spyderco Sharpmaker. If you are looking for a simple high quality knife sharpener, I am still convinced that it is a great option. I have had mine for 5+ years, and continue to use it on a weekly basis.

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However, at $50+ at retail, the Sharpmaker isn’t an inexpensive option. I am sure some people just getting into knives and sharpening would prefer a cheaper starting point. I’ve played around with the ultra low budget pull sharpeners, and I would not recommend these unless you were looking for a backup sharpener and wanted to sharpen inexpensive knives.

So the quest for an inexpensive knife sharpener continued, and the Lansky Crock Sticks intrigued me. It’s a similar setup to the Sharpmaker, but for under $15 it is a fraction of the cost. Does it work? How does it compare to the Sharpmaker? These were some of the questions I had going into the review.

What You Get

The Crock Sticks come in a simple clear plastic clamshell package. Inside you have the wood box, which performs double duty as your carrying case and base, 2 medium grit ceramic rods (brown), and 2 fine grit ceramic rods (white).

The box is 2 pieces of wood held together with a screw. Turning the small end cap reveals the ceramic rods. It’s a simple system, but it works.

What I like about this system is that it is simple and compact. It’s smaller than the Sharpmaker and more simple.

Use

The Crock Sticks have 2 sets of holes for 2 edge angles: 20 degrees and 25 degrees. I have most of my knives set at a 40 degree inclusive edge thanks to the Sharpmaker, so that is what I stuck with with my Crock Sticks.

Set up is dead simple. Remove the sharpening rods from the box and set them into the base. You are now ready to sharpen. Just like with the Sharpmaker, the trick is to put the system on a flat and level surface, and then hold the knife perpendicularly to the base. Gently run the edge down one of the rods, and then run the edge down the other side. Make sure you are sharpening from heel to tip, and be careful not to pull the tip “over” the rod as you finish your stroke. Do 10-15 passes per side on the brown medium rods and then repeat the process with the white fine rods.

I have tested my crock sticks over the past few months on a number of folding and fixed blade knives. I have found this works great for basic steels and knives that don’t need to be reprofiled. The ceramic rods work well, but you need something more aggressive for re-profiling or repairing a chipped edge. Lansky does offer a version of the Crock Sticks with diamond rods, much like how Spyderco offers diamond rods for the Sharpmaker. The diamond set costs an extra $10 and I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet.

The nice thing about a rod system like this is that you can also sharpen serrations. You can free-hand sharpen individual serrations with the rod, or you can sharpen both sides of the serrations by sharpening the knife just like you would a plain edge (on both sides with the stones in the base).

Since the sharpening rods are made of porous ceramic, you will need to periodically clean the rods to remove built up metal shavings from the ceramic. I use Bar Keepers Friend for this, but any kind of powder cleaner like Ajax will work.

Lansky Crock Sticks vs. Spyderco Sharpmaker

I am guessing that some readers will want some guidance on whether to buy the Crock Sticks or Sharpmaker. Since the Sharpmaker is 3-4x more expensive than the Crock Sticks I think it’s a valid question.

I actually like these Crock Sticks quite a bit, and think that most people will get a lot of value out of these. The biggest trade off I can see is that the sharpening rods on the Crock Sticks are shorter than the Sharpmaker. This will make it harder to sharpen bigger blades.

There may be some advantage to the triangular stones on the Sharpmaker, but practically speaking I’m not sure I notice a difference. With that said, my Sharpmaker is 6 years old, and I’ve owned my Crock Sticks for maybe 6-8 weeks now.

The Sharpmaker remains the gold standard, but I like these Crock Sticks. Especially at the price point. The Crock Sticks work. If you are just getting started in the hobby or simply want to save money I think you can easily get away with a set of Crock Sticks. If you are into sharpening then my guess is you will eventually want to upgrade to a SharpMaker.

Lansky Crock Sticks Review – Final Thoughts

For under $15 I should have bought a set years ago. These work great for small knives with “regular” steel. This wont be the best fit for a dull S110V blade, or a thrashed machete, but it’s perfect for maintaining small EDC knives with steel like AUS-8, 1095, 154CM, S35VN, CTS-XHP, etc. It is a small and portable system that tucks away into a tool box or kitchen drawer and is dead simple to use.

The Crock Sticks strikes me as a great gift option for someone as well. Knife guys take this for granted, but being able to sharpen your knives is empowering. It breathes new life into tools and enhances your work, whether that is in the kitchen or on the job. For well under $20 you can give this to someone and they can sharpen a knife in 5 minutes with minimal skill or instruction. That’s pretty cool and I can’t say that about any other sharpener I have reviewed. This would be a nice gift for a friend or family member that wants to be able to sharpen knives casually.

I highly recommend the Lansky Crock Sticks. This is a low cost alternative to the Spyderco Sharpmaker that gives you 90% of the utility at a fraction of the price.

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Lansky Ceramic Turn Box 4-Rod Knife Sharpening System - LCD5D

Intuitive to Use: Many find the conventional knife sharpening stone difficult to use, but with this blade sharpener, you can easily maintain a consistent angle simply by moving your knife straight down along each knife sharpening rod.
Portable: Many knife sharpeners can be difficult to transport, but this Lansky knife sharpener kit fits neatly within its compact wooden case. A professional knife sharpener is great, but it isn't always convenient. This knife sharpener tool allows you to restore a razor-sharp cutting edge on the go! When you're done, store it in your toolkit, kitchen, car, or backpack.
Dual Grit: This pocket knife sharpening kit provides two gray course grit ceramic sharpening rods for establishing a bevel on a dull blade and two white fine grit ceramic honing rods to hone your edge. This allows for a 2-stage sharpening process in one system.
Multiple Options: This pocket knife sharpening tool boasts two set angles: 20 degrees and 25 degrees. Use the more acute angle for kitchen knives and fillet knives and the more obtuse angle for pocket knives and utility knives.
All-in-One Package: This ceramic knife sharpener kit features everything you need to turn your dull knife into a razor-sharp one.

I recommend purchasing the Lansky Crock Sticks at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Timex Weekender Chrono Oversized Review

by Grayson Parker 14 Comments

Last updated: May 15, 2019

For as long as I can remember, Timex has been the company for budget watches. Their brand is as synonymous with affordable as the Casio G-Shock line is with durable. So when I needed a new watch (as my Bertucci A-2T was out for repair), I knew betting odds would land me with a Weekender of some sort. Granted, I tried to track down a nicer watch in the local pawn shops, but it appears that no one in Bakersfield has good taste – or that those who do aren’t in a hurry to offload their watches. It could be either one.

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After the aforementioned fruitless search, I decided on the Timex Weekender Chrono Oversized. (Note: there is no ‘Regular’ Weekender Chrono, so I don’t understand the ‘Oversized’ moniker.) It was attractive without being fussy, fit my wrist well, and was distinct enough from the Bertucci A-2T that I felt it would complement my collection, not end up as needless clutter. When I purchased it, the price was around 50USD, and it’s seemed to hover there ever since. The warranty service on my A-2T took longer than expected, so I wore the Weekender exclusively for two months and then some. Here are the impressions I gathered.

Case and Movement

The case on the Weekender Chrono Oversized is 40mm wide, 9mm tall, and has a lug width of 20mm. It weighs just over 2 ounces. On the whole, I’ve been nothing but impressed with the case. The high polish and simple design grant it an elegance that many watches – even significantly more expensive ones – can’t claim to possess. I do have to admit that until recently I thought that the case was made of stainless steel; as it turns out, it’s made of brass. Does this have a practical effect on the Weekender’s performance? Not in my experience. In fact, as trendy as brass and copper are in the gear community at large, I’m surprised I don’t see more unpolished Weekenders floating around on Instagram.

Information on the movement that the Weekender uses is in short supply. The internet informs me that the movement is known as the W92, which is the same movement Timex uses on their other chronographs. This is a quartz movement manufactured in the Philippines, and it’s probable that the case has the same origins. I have no complaints regarding the movement. While not as interesting as an automatic or a mechanical, quartz movements are reliable, accurate, and cheap. The battery will need replacement every few years, though I would expect that estimate to diminish if you frequently use the “Indiglo” feature.

Dial and Bezel

Of course, the reason that I settled on this particular Timex was the dial. I’ve never owned a chronograph, and something about the numerous dials was strangely appealing. It’s cluttered – even busy – but not any less legible for it. The arabic numerals at 2, 6, and 10 are occluded by the chronograph complications, and a date function is set next to the 4 o’clock position. 24 hour numerals are also included on the outermost ring of the dial, though they’re so small that it isn’t information you can gather at a glance. All of this is protected by a mineral crystal. From a material standpoint, it’s not as nice as Seiko’s Hardlex or a sapphire crystal, but for the price point I can’t register any complaints. Mine hasn’t picked up any scratches, even while working or when I was trying to corral a particularly bite-prone husky pup.

In the interests of full disclosure, I feel you should know that I’ve never actually used the chronograph feature. That’s not to say I haven’t futzed around with it: I have. You just won’t get any ‘Apollo 13’-esque stories out of me. The Weekender Chrono can measure time in minutes (up to 30, using the dial at 10 o’clock), seconds (using the large seconds hand), and 0.05 of a second (using the dial at 2 o’clock). I made an effort to discover the practical applications of a chronograph for the sake of this review. That effort failed. For those who are interested in sports – specifically track and field – I can see the value in an integrated stopwatch. In my line of work it’s simply unnecessary.

For those steely-eyed readers who have been paying attention: yes, the large second hand is used only for the chronograph, while the small seconds dial located at the 6 o’clock position is used for normal timekeeping. Using all the small dials together would make some kind of sense. We couldn’t possibly have that.

Strap and on the Wrist

My Weekender came with a leather NATO strap. The buckle and keepers are made of stainless steel, and the leather is certainly genuine; though that isn’t exactly high quality. Odds are that I’ll need to replace the strap before the battery. It’s worth noting that the photos on their website don’t quite convey the color of the leather. Online, the strap looks light enough to resemble flesh tones, but in reality it has warmer overtones. On the wrist (especially after a few days of sun and sweat) the leather darkened enough that I was no longer concerned. If you like the watch but not the strap, it’s not the end of the world. Not only are there a bevy of aftermarket options, but Timex offers a wide range of replacements. I’d recommend the former.

I don’t keep up with the watch world, so most of my impressions originate in listening to Andrew Lang (aka 555 Gear) on Gear Geeks Live. Somewhere along the line, I became convinced that 40mm was huge for a watch. After owning and regularly wearing two 40mm watches (and now one nearing 45mm), I’m not so sure. The Weekender Chrono Oversized is not just a wide watch, but a fairly tall watch; yet I’ve never had a problem. It slips under shirt sleeves with ease and doesn’t feel like a hubcap on my wrist.

Timex Weekender Chronograph – Final Thoughts

No product exists in a vacuum, of course. Competition for this slice of the market is surprisingly fierce. The most noteworthy contenders are – in my view, at least – the Seiko 5 and the Casio G-Shock. All three offer a fantastic value proposition, and I think this is honestly a case where the only determining factor is personal preference. If you need something on the bombproof end of things, go with the G-Shock; an introduction to automatic watches, the Seiko 5; but if you want an inexpensive but fashionable watch, go with the Timex. I’m glad I chose the Weekender. It fit my needs, and I reach for it more frequently than I expected.

Who should buy the Weekender? Well, that’s a bit of a tricky question. I recently purchased my first automatic: a Seiko SRP779. I don’t want to gush – I’m still in the honeymoon period, and I know that – but so many of the entrancing details on the SRP779 simply aren’t found on the Weekender. That isn’t a criticism; the SRP779 costs several times what the Weekender does. But I can’t say whether someone who is accustomed to higher end watches will find value in the Weekender. It is a truly great entry level watch, and I can’t detract from that. If you’re looking for your first watch or if you’re on a budget, I heartily recommend the Weekender Chrono Oversized.

Timex Unisex TW2P62300 Weekender Chrono Tan Double-Layered Leather Slip-Thru Strap Watch

Adjustable tan 20mm double-layered genuine leather slip-thru strap fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
Blue dial with date window at 4 o'clock; full Arabic numerals; 24-hour military time
30-minute chronograph measures to 1/20th second
Silver-tone 40mm brass case with mineral glass crystal; Indiglo light-up watch dial; luminous hands
Water resistant to 30m (100ft): in general, withstands splashes or brief immersion in water, but not suitable for swimming or bathing

I recommend purchasing the Timex Weekender at Amazon. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Leatherman Charge TTi Review

by Grayson Parker 18 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019

I grew up with Leatherman tools. My dad always carried one, and to this day he still has his Leatherman Juice on or around him most of the time. In Scouting, most people carried a multitool of some kind. The first knife that I cut myself with was my dad’s Leatherman Wave. When we climbed Mt. Whitney, I didn’t take a bushcraft knife, I didn’t take a modern folder; all I had was a Leatherman Squirt PS4. If you can’t tell by this point, I’ve got a lot of love for Leatherman tools.

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Under those circumstances, it’s pretty obvious why I’d be drawn to the Leatherman Charge TTi. Full size, all locking tools, built like a tank from materials even a knife snob couldn’t turn their nose up at; you see where I’m going. Last Christmas I decided to take the plunge and purchase one. It’s less and more than what I expected, and I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing.

I’m sure every gear nut knows this feeling: you only need a tool when you don’t have it with you. That’s part of the problem here. I’ve carried the Charge in the pocket, on my belt, or in a bag for more than a month, and all the tasks I thought I’d be using it for disappeared whenever it was around. Who knows, maybe the plumbing was intimidated into submission.

General Dimensions and Tools

The Charge TTi has a closed length of 4” and a blade length of 2.9”. It’s .8” thick, and weighs 8.89 oz. I haven’t done the math, but it’s approximately heavy enough to qualify as assault with a deadly weapon if thrown. Partially responsible for the dreadnought class tonnage is that all the tools lock while open, a design choice that I still don’t know if I agree with yet. On one hand, it’s comforting to know that the blades won’t be snipping my fingers off if I do something stupid. On the other, I don’t know why an eyeglass screwdriver needs to lock. There’s a bit of play in all the locks, but that’s par for the course with multitools.

You can check out all the tools on the Charge through this link, the below chart, or the picture below that. I can’t think of a tool they left out, and their inclusion of a flathead screwdriver when the Charge already has two bit drivers suggests they were running out of ideas. That, or they knew too many folks just used the flathead for prying open paint cans and wanted to make replacement easier. Either way, all appropriate tools are present.

Needlenose Pliers	S30V Blade	Can/Bottle Opener
Regular Pliers	420HC Serrated Blade	Wood/Metal File
Hard-Wire Cutters	Saw	Diamond Coated File
Wire Cutter	Spring-Action Scissors	Large Bit Driver
Crimper	Cutting Hook	Small Bit Driver
Wire Stripper	Ruler	Medium Screwdriver

As I noted earlier, the Charge frightened away most of the chores that I would have used it for, but I was able to reach for it a few times. The pliers (which are cast, not machined) are wide and aggressive enough to remove the aerators from sinks, yet come to enough of a needle point for splinter removal. I didn’t use the blade hard enough to push the S30V to its limits, but it worked fine on boxes, apples, and spreading condiments on a sandwich. More than a few bottles of beer were opened as well. The only complaint I have is the absence of replaceable wire cutters, which are common enough in other Leatherman tools that I can’t see why they weren’t included.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handles (if you couldn’t guess) are made of titanium. Well, the scales are. The non-tool guts of the knife are made of steel; I don’t even want to know how difficult the machining would be otherwise. By multitool standards the construction is pretty tight. Nominally, it’s held together with torx screws, but that would imply that you can disassemble it. This is not the case. For some reason that only the engineers at Leatherman know, these torx bits have little pins in them, which makes them incompatible with most torx drivers. A quibble, but a galling one. Before I get too negative, I will note that the finish left on the scales is truly beautiful, in a chipped stone kind of way.

Imagine a brick. Now shrink it, make it a little slimmer along the way, and put it in your hand. That covers the essential points of the ergonomics here. Normally I wouldn’t be so dismissive, but compared to the Skeletool the Charge is lackluster at best. To be fair: the edges are rounded, and I’ve never felt a hotspot, but it doesn’t conform to your palm the way other Leatherman tools do. If you’re carrying the Charge with the pocket clip, then disregard my line about “never feeling a hotspot.” You should have a good idea why farther down.

Take that same shrunken brick and strap it to your belt. Honestly, it’s not that bad that way. If you’re working in an industrial setting, no one is going to care about a multitool, and even most offices won’t mind a Leatherman on your belt. The worst I can say is that it can compete for space with any bag you might have, depending on how you wear it. Mine came with the leather sheath, and I haven’t had any problems with it. The side pockets on it are nice for a AAA flashlight and a mini sharpie.

Are you feeling particularly brave? Clip it to your pocket.

Leatherman Charge TTi Review – Final Thoughts

If you walked away from this review with the impression that I don’t like the Charge, I’m sorry. I can see that in many ways it’s a great tool, and deserves to be on the shortlist of high end multitools. This is probably just a consequence of my expectations being in the wrong place. A carpenter, an electrician, or anyone that does a lot of work with their hands would probably love having this on their belt. In other words: “it’s not you, it’s me.”

Funnily enough, its stiffest competition comes from within the brand, in the form of the Leatherman Wave. The Wave shares most of the design language of the Charge: a full set of locking tools, outside accessible blades, and a nearly identical toolset. Of course, it doesn’t have the premium materials that the Charge TTi does, but it also costs half as much. Whether those materials are worth the premium is up to you. Leatherman isn’t the only game in town; Victorinox, Multitasker, Gerber, and SOG all make plier centric multitools. I imagine that I’d have similar complaints if I were to review any of their offerings, as they’re all near the same weight or heavier.

At the end of the day, who should buy this? Well, despite its staid design, it really is the top of the heap. If you want a multitool that has the same materials as a Spyderco Sage 2, this is your only option. The all-locking tools may be unnecessary to me, but a godsend to someone else. It’s a nice enough object that I’m not going to get rid of mine; this’ll just be consigned to the glove box, where it can do some real good in a pinch.

Next up – the ZT 0900. You bastards finally got to me.

LEATHERMAN - Charge TTI Titanium Multitool with Spring-Action Scissors and Cutting Hook, Stainless Steel with Nylon Sheath (FFP)

READY FOR ANYTHING: All the most requested features in one good-looking, functional tool. Take it everywhere, use it anywhere.
FIT MORE FUNCTIONALITY: A variety of pliers, wire cutters, wire crimper and stripper, serrated and regular knives, saw, spring-action scissors, cutting hook, can and bottle openers, files, screwdrivers, and a ruler.
LET’S BE PRACTICAL: Sometimes you only have one hand to spare. The Charge TTi only requires one hand to open and use all the tools, even the ones that aren’t accessible from the outside. And with a locking blade, you can cut with confidence.
ALWAYS ON HAND: Equipped with a pocket clip and quick-release lanyard ring, your Charge TTi is always within reach and ready to work.
GUARANTEED: Our 25-year limited warranty ensures that your Leatherman will give you many years of dependable service. Just send it in and we’ll fix it up. All Leatherman multitools are made and repaired right here in the USA.

I recommend purchasing the Leatherman Charge TTi at Amazon, or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Leatherman Micra Review

by Dan Jackson 9 Comments

I have never been able to consistently Every Day Carry (EDC) a full size multi-tool. I have a couple, and they have come in handy, but I don’t regularly EDC them. They are great to have in a car tool kit, a tackle box, for camping, or possibly if you work a physical job. But as a desk jockey I get way more mileage out of a Victorinox Pioneer than with your standard multi-tool.

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And then there is the Leatherman Micra. I have owned one for a few years now. My father has one, and I picked one up on a whim after checking out his. There is something extremely satisfying about this little tool. The spring loaded scissors are unlike anything else in my gear collection. I thought it might be fun to switch things up and offer a review of my Micra.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Micra has a closed length of 2.5 inches, a 1.6″ blade, weighs 1.8 ounces, and is made in the USA. Closed it’s about the size of my thumb. An easy enough option to EDC. Some people carry this on a keychain, and there is a lanyard loop that you can fold away if you don’t want to use it. I already have enough on my keychain, plus as a lawyer it would quickly get confiscated if I forgot to remove it before going through court security. It is slightly thicker than an Alox Cadet and much shorter. It truly is a micro piece of EDC gear.

The main attraction to this tool is the spring loaded scissors, and man are they sweet. First of all, the spring loaded aspect of this tool is extremely satisfying. The fidget factor is off the charts, and I regularly find myself absentmindedly opening and closing the tool. The spring loaded aspect alone is worth the price of admission.

But what puts things over the top is how sharp and useful the scissors are: they are indeed sharp and useful. And strong. They are so strong that I think calling them “scissors” is not giving them enough credit. They are almost shear like in their capabilities. I regularly use them to trim my fingernails. Hopefully that wasn’t too much information, but it goes to show that these aren’t the little scissors that come on the Swiss Army Knives or full size multi-tools. These are several steps above.

If you aren’t into using the scissors on the Micra as an impromptu grooming tool, then they can easily cut zip ties and plastic packaging. I could see them cutting through a shoe in a pinch (in a first aid situation), but ideally you would want something bigger. They don’t replace full size scissors if you have to cut a lot of cloth or paper, but they are stout, tough, and sharp.

Additional Tools

Obviously, the scissors aren’t the only tool on the Micra. You also get a penknife, a large flathead driver, a small flathead driver with a cap lifter built in, a “Phillips” driver, tweezers, and a combination nail file and nail cleaner.

The knife blade is a small clip point that is flat ground with a chisel edge. It’s sharp and serviceable, even if it’s about 1-5/8″ long. This isn’t going to perform like a full size knife, but you can cut stuff with it in a pinch. The blade doesn’t lock open, but there is a backspring and it snaps in place. The spring is weaker than a Swiss Army Knife, but this is not a knife you are going to want to use heavily any ways. It can open a box in a pinch, but probably the biggest draw to the knife is its needle fine tip.

Leatherman actually includes 420HC blade steel on the Micra. On a regular pocket knife 420HC is pretty ho-hum, but for a ~$20 multi-tool I think this is an outstanding choice. 420HC lacks the edge retention of higher end steels, but I think it’s a fine choice for the small blade on the Micra.

On the subject of steel, the steel that Leatherman has used here is pretty good. Mine occasionally spots with rust, but it cleans off easily and has never been a serious problem. Leatherman has been at this for over 30 years, so I imagine they have given the steel they use a healthy amount of consideration.

The 2 flat head drivers are nice enough. I can’t say either has gotten a ton of use, but the fine one is also integrated into a bottle opener. You can never have too many bottle openers, and the screwdrivers can be used in a pinch.

The Phillips driver is more of 2 dimensional driver, rather than a true “3-D” Phillips driver. It’s not perfect, but better than nothing. On a tool of this size and at this price point there will be compromises, and the lack of a true Phillips driver is one of them. There is no way you are going to replace a full tool kit with a Micra.

The file is really just a nail file. You won’t be able to use it for much more than that. With that said, I think including a nail file is nice, and it compliments the scissors. It has good abrasiveness and has held up well after several years of occasional use. No complaints here.

The tweezers are probably the tool I have used the least. I prefer the tweezers on my Swiss Army Knives. The tweezers on the Micra are kind of blunt, and I have never used them on a splinter, but they are fine enough to pluck hair.

Rounding things out is a ruler. It has been integrated into the back of the handle like most multi-tools. It’s awkward to use, but it doesn’t take up any additional space.

All told, I think the feature set on the Micra is robust given the size and price restraints. This is a nice assortment of common tools. You need to open the scissors to access the tools, but a small multi-tool like this is going to require some fidgeting.

Leatherman Micra Review – Final Thoughts

What impresses me most about the Micra is how nicely it is made. It’s a sturdy tool, but it is also nicely finished. There are no sharp edges (besides the blades of course), no tooling marks, the grinds are nice on the scissors and knife, and everything fits together as it should. The pivot is riveted, and my Micra has a small amount of play in it, but beyond that everything reeks of quality. It’s hard to believe that they make these in America and offer them at the price that they do.

For under $25, this is a multi-tool that I think pretty much anyone would enjoy. Sometimes mine ends up in the medicine cabinet, but it’s good for a tackle box, first aid kit, the car, or small tool kit. They manage to cram a lot of utility into a small package. This is the kind of tool where you can buy a couple and keep them stashed strategically, or have one that is part of your EDC. They also make great gifts.

As a knife guy this Micra won’t replace my Swiss Army Knives, but the spring loaded scissors are great, and the Micra is one of the more endearing pieces of EDC gear that I own. If you have never been able to justify a full size multi-tool then you may enjoy a Micra. If you already are a multi-tool guy then odds are you already own one. Either way I highly recommend it.

LEATHERMAN, Micra, Keychain Multi-tool with Grooming Tools, Mini Pocketknife for Everyday Carry (EDC), Hobbies & Outdoors, Built in the USA, Stainless Steel

A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer the expected and unexpected, transforming everyday challenges into triumphant moments
Engineered to Withstand: From our Portland, Oregon factory and backed by our 25-year warranty, our multi-tools are built to last a lifetime, embodying the innovation and perseverance of our founder, Tim Leatherman
Mighty & Miniscule: Features 10 useful tools, including a knife, tweezers, screwdrivers, scissors and more; Easy to carry in your pocket, purse or tackle box; Attach to your keychain for convenient portability
Personal Care Tools & Daily Problem Solver: With a nail file and tweezers, the Micra is your grooming companion on the go; Whether you're handling quick fixes or fishing and camping, this mini-tool is a practical everyday carry (EDC)
Great for Gifting: Perfect for anglers, hobbyists or those always on the move, this ultra-portable keychain tool makes an excellent gift and is ideal for those new to multi-tools

I recommend purchasing the Leatherman Micra at Amazon. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition (WSKTS-KO) Review

by Chad McBroom 9 Comments

Last Updated: July 29, 2019

Anyone who knows me knows I am passionate about keeping my blades sharp. I am constantly looking for the best tools and techniques for putting a killer edge on a piece of steel and maintaining that edge. I have used several different sharpening systems from table stones and rods to guided-angle sharpeners. The one type of sharpener I have always avoided, however, is the electric sharpener. I have seen the results of many pull-through electric sharpeners, and to say the least, they make me cringe. It’s kind of like sticking your blade inside a garbage disposal.

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After much reservation I finally decided to give a Work Sharp a try. I really wanted a system that would allow me to sharpen some of my larger blades, which includes some machetes, kukris, and tomahawks. After watching a contestant on the show Forged in Fire use a Work Sharp to do some finishing work on a cutlass, I decided it might be worth my time to give the system a test run. I chose to go with the Ken Onion Edition because of the additional features and attachment options not found on the standard model. Plus, I figured Ken Onion wouldn’t put his name on anything unless it was worthwhile.

What You Get

The Ken Onion Edition comes with the Work Sharp Ken Onion Power Platform equipped with a variable speed Power Switch, Power Switch Lockout, Sharpening Cassette with Edge Guide, removable Sharpening Guide with angle adjustment, and five abrasive belts (Extra Course, Coarse, Medium, Fine, and Extra Fine). The Ken Onion Edition also comes packaged with a detailed user’s guide and instructional DVD to guide you through the process of setting up and using your sharpener to the fullest, as well as a quick-reference card to hang in your shop.

Use

Setting up the Work Sharp for use is quick and easy. It is really just a matter of plugging the system in, choosing the appropriate abrasive belt, and selecting the sharpening angle. The belts can be easily swapped out by simply lifting the belt changing lever, sliding the belt on or off, and releasing the lever. The sharpening angle is set by turning the Angle Adjustment Knob located on the Sharpening Guide and aligning the desired angle with the indicator line at the top of the guide. The Angle Adjustment Knob is marked from 15 degrees to 30 degrees in 1-degree increments, offering a wide range of angle selections.

Once the angle is set and the desired belt installed, you are ready to begin sharpening. Beginning with the power off, insert the blade into the right side of the Sharpening Guide at the heel of the bevel. Squeeze the Power Switch and simultaneously pull the blade through the guide at a rate of one inch per second, following the curve of the blade and keeping the edge perpendicular to the belt. Be sure to use only the weight of the blade against the belt. Do not press down into the guide. Release the Power Switch and stop the pull when the tip of the blade reaches the center of the belt to avoid rounding the tip.

Repeat the process described here on the same side until you develop a burr, then repeat the same number of strokes on the other side. Once you have shaped the secondary bevel, you can progress with finer grit belts using alternating strokes. For longer blades such as kitchen knives, fillet knives, machetes, etc., the Edge Guide can be helpful to guide and support the blade during the sharpening process; however, for most field knives and pocket knives, the Edge Guide is not only unnecessary, but can actually get in the way.

The Work Sharp can also be used on serrated knives and gut hooks. Serrated knives are sharpened using the Extra-Fine belt at low speed against the non-beveled/flat side. Gut hooks can be sharpened by placing the curve of the hook over the Extra-Fine belt on the “downhill” side and honing for two to four seconds on each side. The WSKTS-KO can also be used to sharpen scissors using the built-in scissor guide. By removing the Sharpening Guide and rotating the cassette forward, the Work Sharp can be converted to grinding mode for sharpening lawnmower blades, axes, and other large blades.

Testing

I tested a number of different blades out on the WSKTS-KO. I was quite hesitant at first to try the Work Sharp on any of my quality blades, so most of the blades were either severely damaged or much too large for some of the other sharpening systems I normally use. (I do recommend starting out with some lower quality or less sentimental knives until you get comfortable with the system.) I was quite impressed with how even and precise the bevel was after running the knives through the system. Don’t get me wrong, if you don’t use proper technique, you definitely risk over-grinding the bevel, but if you pull the blade through consistently in the manner I described above, you can achieve some very impressive results.

After getting comfortable with the system I sharpened every kitchen knife and utility knife in the house. The Work Sharp works so quickly it is amazing, especially when you are accustomed to doing everything by hand. I then converted the Work Sharp over to grinding mode and went to work on several tomahawks and axes. The system worked like a champ and left me with some very sharp choppers.

Upgrades

As I mentioned earlier, the Ken Onion edition has some upgraded features that make it quite an attractive piece of equipment. There is a Tool Grinding Attachment that allows for both flat platen and slack belt grinding, and can be used as a power file or handheld belt sander for working with metal, wood, and plastics. The Blade Grinding Attachment will turn the WSKTS-KO into a miniature belt grinder capable of shaping, sharpening, and honing blades. There is also a nice selection of abrasive belts available for both the cassette and the Blade Grinding Attachment, including leather stropping belts.

Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition (WSKTS-KO) Review — Final Thoughts

I was quite impressed with the WSKTS-KO, albeit to my surprise. I am still not a fan of electric sharpeners, but the Work Sharp really does not fall into that category as we know it. The Work Sharp is really a miniature grinder with the added benefit of an angle guide, and this makes all the difference. It definitely requires a certain amount of skill to use, which should not come as a surprise since this is true of any sharpening system, even the most rudimentary hand stone, but it is easy to learn and should not be feared.

One thing I have not mentioned is the benefit of the convex edge. The very nature of the Work Sharp’s slack belt system results in a convex edge, which is an edge with a smooth radius void of any shoulders like a typical flat grind. The omission of the shoulders results in less friction during cutting and more supportive steel behind the edge. It has been my personal experience that a convex edge lasts longer and cuts cleaner than a flat-ground edge. In my opinion, the resultant convex edge gives the Work Sharp a leg up over many other systems.

If you are searching for a versatile, high-quality sharpening system, then the WSKTS-KO is an item at which you should take a hard look. The reasonable price tag makes this system even harder to pass up. I am not saying the WSKTS-KO is the end all be all, but it is definitely a great system with a ton of versatility. I have a feeling that I am only going to become more fond of this system over time. In the meantime, I think I need to get that Blade Grinder Attachment and see what I can do with it.

Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener - Ken Onion Edition - Premium Knife Sharpening System - Serrated, Chef, Pocket Knives & Scissors

ADJUSTABLE SHARPENING GUIDE: Produces precise edge bevels from 15 to 30 degrees for that perfect sharpen for your knife or tool.
VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR: Handle every sharpening task, from grinding to honing. This sharpener has more power with improved cooling and the option of slow-speed honing or high-speed grinding.
FAST, PRECISE, & REPEATABLE: Deliver a strong, long-lasting razor-sharp convex edge with no setup or calibration time. The 6000 grit belt measures .5 x inches for better contact with serrations and other hard-to-reach edges.
3-YEAR WARRANTY: All Work Sharp sharpeners come with a comprehensive 3-year warranty. Each knife & tool sharpener is meticulously designed and quality-checked at our Oregon facility. We proudly stand behind our products.
DESIGNED, ENGINEERED, & CALIBRATED IN OREGON: We design, engineer, and calibrate our sharpening machines all under one roof in Ashland, Oregon & ensure our products are sourced from the highest caliber manufacturers, both in the USA and globally.

I recommend purchasing the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Wicked Edge Field & Sport Review

by Chad McBroom 1 Comment

Last Updated: August 5, 2019
If you are a knife enthusiast, then you know the importance of keeping your blade sharp; however, this is not always an easy task. Unless you are highly skilled at maintaining a consistent angle and have a good understanding of the interaction between steel and stone, sharpening and honing your blade can become frustrating. I would venture to say that most knife owners would rather send their knife back to the factory or just buy a new knife altogether than try their hand at sharpening. Those of us that insist on doing it ourselves will typically spend hundreds of dollars trying to find a sharpening system that produces our desired results.

Buy the Wicked Edge Field & Sport at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

To make things easier for the common man, many companies have begun producing guided angle sharpeners to help people maintain a consistent angle while sharpening and honing. There are a number of these types of systems currently on the market, but those of you that follow my knife reviews here on BladeReviews.com and Black Sheep Warrior, know that I am a big fan of the Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener, which I use almost exclusively. I would have to say that the biggest downside of my Wicked Edge system is its lack of portability, which has forced me to rely on more compact systems like the Spyderco Sharpmaker for field use.

Well, I am happy to say that that has changed thanks to the the Wicked Edge Field & Sport.

What You Get

The Wicked Edge Field & Sport model is a portable version of the Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener with their Pro-Pack II hardware. The kit comes with a mounting vise, depth key, a variable angle degree bar, two guide arms with upgraded Pro Pack II ball joints and micro adjustable L-brackets, eight diamond sharpening stones (two of each in 100, 200, 400, and 600 grit), a mounting clamp, and a detailed instruction guide. All of these items fit conveniently into a light-weight carrying case with customized foam inserts so that every piece has its own little home.

Use

If you have never used a Wicked Edge system before, then it might be a bit intimidating at first. There is definitely a learning curve involved here, but the great thing about Wicked Edge is that they have a ton of resources on their website to help you learn how to run your system to its fullest potential. The Field & Sport works like any other Wicked Edge system when it comes to setting your angle and working the stones, but to give you the reader a good grasp on how this system works, I will walk through step by step from setup to finish.

You begin by mounting the sharpener to a hard, stable surface using the provided C-clamp mount. A work bench or picnic table is a good option. My work bench was too thick, so for testing purposes, I mounted the sharpener to a piece of 2×4 that I clamped into a bench vise. The sharpener should be mounted so that the numbers on the degree bar are right side up. The L-brackets of the guide rods are then attached to the degree bar with the ball joints facing inward towards the mounting vise.

Next, loosen the top screw of the vise enough that the knife you are going to sharpen will fit between the vise jaws. Insert the depth key from the left side into one of the sets of holes, using the top holes for smaller knives and the bottom holes for larger knives. Insert the blade into the vise with the tip facing away from you. The blade should be approximately centered from front to back and the spine should be setting against both prongs of the depth key.

One thing to note about the depth key is that the right side of the vise has elongated cutouts instead of the two sets of holes like the left side. When using the top setting, I have found that it is important to apply and maintain downward pressure on the left side of the key to get a consistent setting. Once the blade is positioned, tighten the top vise screw using the provided allen wrench, then tighten the bottom screw, being careful not to over tighten.

Now that the knife is mounted in the vise, it is time to set the sharpening angle. The easiest way to set your angle is to match the existing edge angle. Using the Sharpie technique is the easiest way to determine the bevel angle. Color the entire bevel on both sides using a Sharpie marker. Using a fine grit stone, lightly rub the edge to test the angle setting. The angle setting is correct when the marker is removed evenly from the entire bevel. If marker is removed from the top, but not the bottom, then the angle is too wide. If it is removed from the bottom, but not the top, then the angle is too narrow.

The next step is finding the “sweet spot,” which is where the knife needs to be position in the clamp to get a consistent bevel throughout the the length of the blade. This can be done using the Sharpie technique again. If marker is removed from the edge at the heel and the shoulder at the tip, then the knife is too far forward in the vise. If marker is removed from the shoulder at the heel and the edge at the tip, then the knife is too far back. The knife is correctly positioned when marker is removed parallel to the edge and shoulder along the entire length of the blade.

Once your angles are set and you have located the sweet spot, then you can begin sharpening. There are several techniques you can use with the stones, but for the new user the best method is to start at the heel and slide the stone up and away along the entire bevel so that the stroke is completed when the bottom of the stone reaches the tip of the knife. Work from coarse to finer grits until reaching the desired level of sharpness.

Testing

For the purpose of this review, I sharpened an old Spyderco Endura that I have had for years. When I originally purchased this knife, it had a fully serrated edge, but after years of hard use those serrations became quite worn down and damaged to the point where I eventually removed them. The knife never really had a decent edge on it after that, though.

I went to work on it with the Field & Sport and within about 20 minutes, I had a nice, razor-sharp bevel that would slice through paper with ease. There was one spot on the shoulder that I had to touch up after taking the photo shown here. This was the result of going too deep with a grinder in one spot when removing the serrations, which caused this section of the bevel to be off from the rest. Fixing it required a little more elbow grease and the use of my 50 grit diamond stones to remove quite a bit more steel. Not something you would normally have to deal with when sharpening a knife.

Upgrades

The Field & Sport comes with the basic stones needed to put a good working edge on your knife. Of course, if you want to re-profile a blade or hone the bevel to a beautiful, hair-splitting mirrored finish, then you will want to invest in some additional stones. Wicked Edge offers everything from 50 grit diamond stones to ceramics. They even have several specialty stones such as Japanese water stones and offer an array of leather strops and stropping compounds.

Wicked Edge Field & Sport Review — Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a high-grade, portable, angle-guided sharpener, or perhaps you have been considering the Wicked Edge Precision Sharpener but have been hesitant to fork over several hundred dollars on a knife sharpener, then the Wicked Edge Field & Sport is an excellent option. You get all the benefits of the Wicked Edge in a more economical and portable package. Of course, I can’t recommend the Wicked Edge enough as it is. It is, in my opinion, the epitome of knife sharpeners.

In closing, I would like to thank the guys at Wicked Edge for the opportunity to demo this awesome product of theirs. If you love your steel the way I do, then do yourself a favor and get one of Wicked Edge’s awesome sharpening systems. The Field & Sport is a great place to start!

Wicked Edge Field and Sport - WE200

The Field & Sport Precision Knife Sharpener features a lightweight carrying case and easily clamps to any firm surface with the included C-Clamp. There is a simple, easy to use angle adjustment with 1° increments ranging from 13°-35°, ball joint pivots and micro angle adjustments.
Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, stainless steel and space-age composite materials
8 Diamond Stones, 2 each in 100, 200, 400, and 600
Upgraded Pro-Pack II angle system with ball joints and micro angle adjustments
Continuously variable angle adjustment from 13 to 35 degrees in 1 degree increments (26 to 70 degrees inclusive)

I recommend purchasing the Wicked Edge Field & Sport at Amazon or BladeHQ.