Should I buy the LA-220 even though I have the CW-220?

[Rossy66]

As I try to refine my process (I'm getting ready to go mobile)I unfortunately came across a couple of videos from Australia about the CW-220 not creating as good of an edge as the LA-220. I bought the CW-220 to save time and not have to mess with compound but now I may have been a bit hasty buying it and not doing more research.

Can I still get a good finish on my customers products (Knives, Chisels, Woodturning, Gardening tools) or should I just buy a LA-220?

Thanks

[tgbto]

If you're talking about Vadim's (Knife Grinders from Australia), you should take some of his videos with a grain of salt... Although his sharpening skills were unparalleled, replicating his findings has sometimes been difficult for the average Tormek user (e.g. felt wheel with CrO2 compound). And sometimes it even bordered on the esoteric, such as some hidden magic within edge calculation apps...

As a matter of personal preference, I mostly use the leather wheel although I also own the composite one. I get slightly better BESS readings with the leather wheel, but it is much messier. Given that the leather wheel and PA-70 compounds are not that expensive, you may be better off fetching those and comparing your results: Hone with composite wheel, test on paper, then hone with leather wheel, and test again.

[Ken S]

Tragically, Wootz' (Vadim) promising sharpening journey was cut short by his early demise. We can only guess where his journey might have gone. In one of his last videos he was starting to work with a diamond wheel. Who knows?

I believe the scope of sharpening is too broad to crown one honing wheel as "the best", just as it would be difficult to pronounce one grinding wheel as "the best". A sharpener working out of a workshop might feel differently than a mobile sharpener. There are too many variables for simple answers.

Ken

[Rossy66]

Thanks everyone, I feel relieved that I made the right choice, I have not had any complaints about sharpness as of yet (I don't use a Bess Tester)and I hone with the USB while using the KS-123 to replicate the grinding angle and I am happy with the results.

Thanks everyone for their input.