I wore out my previous bands that came with the sharpener. I bought some other replacement bands but they didn’t do nearly as good of a job as these. I would highly recommend these.

My father was a butcher for many years. The man could CUT some meat! As a kid, I’d watch him work his way through three or four whet stones, each a bit finer than the last. Then, he’d finish off an edge with a steel. The final touch was with a genuine barber’s strop. When done, he’d shave a bit of hair off his forearm. If it didn’t glide through the hair, back he’d go to stone and steel. Butcher knives, chef’s knives, paring knives, even his Buck pocket knife. I’d watch, he’d talk about how a knife edge had to be coaxed from good steel, protected and used with great care.

I learned a lot from him. I refuse to have dull knives in my home. I inherited his whet stones and for years, that’s what I used on MY knives. But, I didn’t have his skill, nor his patience. I never could seem to get that “scary sharp” edge he’d talk about. Close, but no cigar.

Until I got a Ken Onion Work Sharp system. I really wish he were still around, because I know he’d love and appreciate the results the Ken Onion gives. In a fraction of the time he’d take, I can put a truly “scary sharp” edge on every knife I own, from fillet knives to cleavers.

About once a month, I gather up the knives that have been used and I sit down to “tune ’em up.” I enjoy it. It’s relaxing. It brings back memories. And when I’m done, my wife always…ALWAYS…raves about how well they cut.

I’ve had my Ken Onion for about three years. The belts last a LONG time! And the results are truly impressive. I’ve sharpened machetes, my collection of Bowie knives, a half dozen pocket knives and it even works on hedge trimmers and lawn mower blades.

Not long ago, my brother-in-law mentioned this old, beat up, nine inch corroded hunting knife he had that was pitted, parts of the edge were chipped and it was essentially useless. He was gonna throw it away. I said, “Lemme have a go at it.” I proceeded to literally rebuild the edge on that knife. I probably took over an eighth of an inch off that knife, but when I was done and took it back to him, I warned him that it was now lethally sharp. He scoffed. So, I said, “Slide it down your forearm. But, be careful or you’ll bleed.” Make a short story even longer, he bled. I’d warned him, so I gave him a large Band-Aid. He now brings me all his knives.

My dad woulda been amused.

Be talkin’ to you…..David