Would like your input on the Ken Onion. I now watched several videos, some comparing the original Work Sharp to the Ken Onion with some criticism of the latter. The major being the angle guide that is not fixed on the Onion. Question; could a small clamp with sufficient clearing to allow knife movement be used to secure the angle guide so it does not change when the knife is pressed against it?
Although I usually get too critical with my testing, whether it be a technique, recipe, tool etc., I am thorough. I have probably sharpened 50 or 60 knives on the Ken Onion Edition and 4 or 5 pairs of scissors. I also saw a video that was critical of the angle guide, and since it's spring loaded.... you can apply pressure against it and it will move. Now, lets say you do apply enough pressure to move the guide, when that happens the cutting edge will be forced harder into the belt, (more friction and resistance) and that is a very noticeable feel. I don't see how the guide could be clamped in place. One thing I am not sure of is the accuracy of the angle itself. Is the 15° hash mark really 15° or is it 14.5°? With manual stone sharpening (or poor honing) you can be off a degree or two anyways so I don't worry about that.
The recommended technique involves making contact (with very slight pressure) with the guide and at the same time allowing the weight of the knife to rest against the belt. The knife is drawn back at a consistent rate (the manual says 1" per second) but consistency is the key here. So, you are doing 4 things when sharpening: 1. using the guide as your reference for angle, 2. allowing the weight of the knife to contact the belt, 3. drawing the knife towards you in a
straight line, and 4. counting the number of passes when raising a burr, for example 3 on one side, 3 on the other, then counting down. Later, you will be alternating the knife each time. I personally don't have any issues with the guide and it takes a short learning curve to manipulate the knife while paying attention to the four variables. I keep a firm grip on the knife... but a light touch against the guide and a light touch on the belt. Pretty soon it's all one natural motion paying attention to both feel and sound.
One good tip is that you have to release the trigger as the point of the knife approaches the belt, or it's possible to round it off slightly. This is also easy to figure out how to do. Have you watched any of the videos with the Work Sharp rep? He is a slender guy with silver hair and does a great job explaining the product.