Wicked Edge Generation 4 Pro - Precision Knife Sharpener With Micro-Adjust With Cabinet

While no tool makes someone a craftsman, well-designed tools can help people with little or no experience achieve high quality results. The Wicked Edge Pro 4 with micro-adjust is a precision manufactured sharpening system which helps you to reliably and repeatedly sharpen your knives and blades to the same standard every time. If you are coming here after seeing a video review, one thing to note is that the micro adjust feature was redesigned sometime between release and now. Circled in red on my photos is what the micro adjust feature looks like on current production models. It uses a worm-drive instead of the lock and gear system, and is very stable and solid. The Pro 4 without micro adjust will have no silver adjustment knob, and the block below where the metal guide rods screw in will be hollow. I opted to get mine without the cabinet as I tend to keep my stones stored away between uses. The option without cabinet has more than enough weight to stay stable while in use. None of the Pro 4s come with a carrying/storage case and the cases sold by Wicked Edge are no longer in stock. I opted to make my own by purchasing a Pelican 1550 case with pluck and pull foam, and my pictures show the layout I adopted to store everything. It’s not a necessity but I don’t always need to sharpen and I like to keep my tools free from dust and safe when I move. The Wicked Edge Pro 4 makes sharpening as easy as finding the blade angle and getting to work. The included set of 6 stones is more than enough to get your blade back in shape, and helps set a cutting surface that is strong and slow to dull. Learning the technique is simple and easy, and you will quickly learn the sound and feel of a properly ground edge. The Pro 4 with micro adjust lets you dial in your angle for each side of the cutting surface, and since you are working on both sides of the blade at the same time you are able to achieve quality results in half the time of other comparable systems that use stone guides. The Pro 4 comes with 8” metal guide rods, and longer sizes are available from the manufacturer to handle longer or taller blades. I purchased the upper end 15” rod to use on swords. The vise that secures the blade is also interchangeable to allow for blades that have thicker spines (up to 1/4”) like some titanium knives. The Wicked Edge Pro 4 uses a tool-less interchangeable system, and every component can be swapped in a matter of moments. The clamping system is secure and incorporates a flexible vinyl core to prevent marring blade edges. That being said, paper shims can be used to protect surfaces if desired. When the clamping system locks down you are able to turn the handle to the left or right (depending on whatever direction you choose) to keep it out of your way. I never hand my hand or a tool hit or get caught by that handle. The angle setting guide is easy to use and very stable. It uses a push-button to lock in the desired setting, and is very stable and secure. You can select half degree settings on the main selector, and even finer adjustments if you opt for the micro adjust. The price was hard to justify, and there are options that can get you similar results and are cheaper. What you are paying for is quality manufacturing, precise control, and ease of use that is unparalleled in other sharpeners. The edge you can achieve with this system lasts because it precisely shapes metal surfaces to form sharp strong edges along the entire length of the blade. I own several titanium blades from Mission Knives, and diamond stones are the only way to go with this material. Knowing I can safely use this system to maintain my blades without damaging or destroying them is worth the cost. Read more

I've been using the Wicked Edge system for over ten years and this is my second setup. I've been using it for about 8 months now. Much less need for customization on the Gen 4 Pro model as I did with my old Propack II. Much smoother and the cabinet is a very nice feature. It adds enough weight that I don't feel the need to bolt it to my bench for the sharpener to remain sturdy when in use. The quality of this device is world class. The storage case in the photo is the Pelican 1550 with the pick and pluck foam. The Wicked Edge website is usually sold out of the Nanuk cases. The Pelican 1550 is roughly the same size and works great. -Now, I cannot speak highly enough about the people at Wicked Edge. The customer support is top notch. After a decade of using their products frequently, and needing their support several times, I can tell you that they absolutely 100% stand behind their products. They're proud of this thing and they will go out of their way to show you their appreciation for your business. Long story short: Around 2017 or so, on my old setup, even though the instructions warned against overtightening the aluminum vise, after several years of use at that point, and lots of knives sharpened, I had ended up gradually warping the jaws; Totally my fault. At some point, I left a comment on a random YouTube Wicked Edge fan video, warning other Wicked Edge users to not overtighten the vise, as it would indeed warp the jaws. I admitted I had read the instructions and that it was my fault, just a cautionary note. The owner of Wicked Edge, Clay Allison himself, a total gentleman, replied to my comment imploring me to contact him, which i did, again admitting that the warping had occurred due to my own negligence and compulsion to overtighten the screw. Even with this admission, he sent me, totally free of charge, even shipped, a brand new, upgraded, cam style vise. So here I am, some 7 or 8 years later, to say thank you to Mr. Allison, and that I am thrilled with the new Gen 4 Pro system. I plan on using it for decades to come. Read more

Very well constructed. Easy to use very impressed with the quality. Read more

TLDR: You will not be disappointed, this thing is WILD! The primary few qualities that set the WE G4 Pro apart from other WE products and other fixed-angle systems on the market is the consistency and repeatability. Micro-adjust is common on the 700+ $ systems, but the stones cut quick, and are so consistent. I am coming from 8+ years of experience on the Edge Pro Apex. These stones cut faster, and produce a less polished but toothier edge than the EPA. I'd imagine these stones will last a bit longer than the Al2O3 stones. I may get the Gritomatic 6" carrier so I can use my EPA stones with my WE. The system is VERY heavy. It sits well on my desk, and doesn't move. The motion is fairly easy to catch onto coming from a horizontal fixed-angle system. It took my about 3 knives to get good at the alternating swing motion. I'd like the 12" rods from the start, and I see the small knife attachment as a near necessity. This thing sharpens big knives damn well out of the box. Packaging was VERY hefty. Styrofoam encapsulated the system on all sides, and the box shipped with an unlabeled outer box, so no high-tier name labels were present. That's a really great touch in my mind. I don't miss the hard side case this used to ship with. I can make on far cheaper than $275. You'll need a 18x14x7 or so case. The full degree markers, I'd think you'd be better served thinking of them as a macro adjust, and the micro adjust as a fine tune. Get yourself an angle cube, if you are considering this system, i'd imagine you're a knife nut. Perfect angles are a must. Read more

New at sharpening knives and was able to get my entire set razor sharp after a little practice on the practice knife that comes with the kit. Very happy with the quality. Read more