Ken Onion Edition ELITE Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2™

Whatever minor flaws the previous model had they've addressed with this new model from what I can tell. Everything has much tighter tolerances, the fit is solid when you put on whichever cassette you need. The 1st blade i sharpened was a Gerber Bear machete with a blade length of 13.5". Sharpener was solid, didn't move around while using it, I did not have it clamped in place yet either. Put a 25° angle on it, proceeded to slice up a larger tree limb that had fallen.

After really enjoying the original Ken Onion w/Blade Grinder & using the Mk.2 for a couple months I have thoughts:

Where the Mk.2 is better: User interface - the speed control, continuous ON is much nicer. The Mk.1's little wheel & button is clumsy in comparison. Angle adjustment is greatly improved with the dial & gauge. The addition of the 3 position pulley for adjusting how convex the blade is a bonus but more on that later. Lastly, the clearance of the belt is better. I was sharpening a Leatherman for a pal & the Mk.1 could only sharpen 1 side of the blade.

Where the Mk.2 is WORSE: Belt changing. Not sure how Work Sharp messed this up so badly, You often have to move the convex pulley just remove a belt & put a new one in. Total PITA. Mk.2 is also bigger, bulkier & makes the Mk.1 feel kind of sporty in comparison... not really a complaint.

Bottom Line: Changing belts on the Mk.2 is a PITA but has a much improved user interface. I have no problems making any knife RAZOR sharp & mirror polished. Work Sharp has made a product that even a dummy like me quickly learned how to use. I enjoy this sharpener so much that I am happy to sharpen my friends & neighbors knives. It's relaxing & people are always impressed/thankful after getting their knife back sharper than they've ever seen.

I have 2 oldermodels, bought a 3rd and they shipped this. The belt guard is GARBAGE! You can't easily change belts, and soft belts (stropping) will NOT come off easily!! Major design flaw (unless you have 5 minutes to change every belt.) When belt tracks right,it eats into guard creating a slot and burr that makes it impossible. SOLUTION: cut out guard, but leave angle guide (pic). Trigger design, angle guide,all BETTER. just the guard is bad!! They need to supply a better guard, if your dumb enough to stick your fingers in there while running, you really shouldn't be handling sharp objects!