Work sharp Wskts User Manual

KNIFE & TOOL

SHARPENER

WSKTS USER GUIDE

WorkSharpTools.com

To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand this instruction

• CAUTION

manual before using product. Save these instructions for future reference.

Getting to Know Your

1

3-position power

knife & Tool Sharpener

Hand Grip

Cord

Switch

Sharpening—

momentary

Sharpening cassette

Belt-tracking

adjustment knob

Grinding—on

Off

Quick-lock

belt tensioner

Sharpening cassette

release button -

(on front of machine)

Abrasive belts—

P80 Coarse (Green)

P220 Medium (Red)

6000 Fine (Purple)

Outdoor knife guide (50°)—

includes serrated knife and

scissor guide with magnet to

help position blades properly

Kitchen knife

guide (40°)

Setting Up Your

2

Knife & Tool Sharpener

Step 1

Slide sharpening cassette
release button as shown
and rotate the cassette to
sharpening (A) or grinding (B).

Step 2

Install desired belt.

BELT SELECTION GUIDE

Coarse

WSSA0002703

Medium

WSSA0002704

P80 GREEN

P220 RED

(A) Sharpen

(B) Grind

for grinding and sharpening most tools

for knife & scissor sharpening

Fine

WSSA0002705

Abrasive belt dimensions: ½” x 12” Belt weight: .10 ounces

For Replacement abrasive belts, visit

6000 PURPLE

You are now Ready to Sharpen/Grind

for honing knives

www.worksharptools.com.

These abrasives have been engineered to be long lasting to meet your
sharpening needs.

Push tensioner down and
make ¼ turn to the right to
lock in place.

Center belt on all
three pulleys.

Turn tensioner ¼ turn
to the left to release.

NOTE: Use red knob to

adjust top pulley for belt
tracking.

Removing the Sharpening Cassette

To remove the sharpening cassette for
cleaning, storage or repair, slide the
release button and rotate the cassette
to the position shown. Pull the cassette
outward, away from the power platform.

Anatomy of

3

A. Point. . . . . . . . . The very end of the knife, which is used for

B. Tip . . . . . . . . . . The first third of the blade (approximately) which

C. Edge . . . . . . . . . The cutting surface of the knife, which extends

D. Heel . . . . . . . . . .The rear part of the blade, used for cutting

E. Spine . . . . . . . . . The top, thicker portion of the blade, which adds

F. Bolster . . . . . . . . .The thick metal portion joining the handle and

G. Finger Guard . . . .The portion of the bolster that keeps the user’s

a knife

Handle

Blade

E

F

G

D

piercing

is used for small or delicate work

from the point to the heel

activities that require more force

weight and strength

the blade, which adds weight and balance and
keeps the user’s hand from slipping

hand from slipping onto the blade

C

B

A

Knives are made of different steels. Softer steels

will sharpen quickly. Harder steels will take longer

to sharpen, but they also hold their edge longer.

Sharpening Kitchen

4

and Filet Knives

Smooth-edged kitchen knives

Step 1

Belt: P220 RED

Install red belt. Slide kitchen
knife guide onto sharpening
cassette in sharpening
position A.

Opposite View:

Guide in place

Step 2

Starting with the knife in the right side
of the guide, squeeze power switch, and
pull knife straight and steadily through guide from bolster to point
of blade. Turn off the power as you come to the point while the blade
is still supported by the belt.

Continue until a slight burr develops on the opposite side
(usually 5 strokes –harder steels may require more strokes).

TIP: Keep blade against outer

edge of guide as shown.

Top View

Note: Proper knife-sharpening position: blade against outer edge of

guide. Place knife blade in the guide so that the side of blade is against
the outside edge of the guide slot. Insert knife blade all the way to the
bolster / finger guard. Use only the weight of your blade as you pull
through for best results.

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 now using the
left side of guide. Repeat

for the same number of
strokes used in Step 2 so
you sharpen evenly.

Your knife will now be “tomato sharp”.
If you choose, you can proceed with the purple 6000 grit

belt and hone the edge for even sharper results!

Step 4

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

Remove red belt, install purple belt and reinstall the kitchen knife
guide. Hone knife by making alternating strokes (5 strokes per side).

NOTE: When re-sharpening, use the red belt until you raise a burr

(approximately 2 strokes per side), then the purple belt for 5 honing
strokes per side.

SHARPEN RE-SHARPEN

P220

RED

×

10

NOTE: Heavy duty or more rigid filet knives can be sharpened using

the outdoor knife guide. See section 5.

6000

PURPLE

×

10

P220

RED

×
2

6000

PURPLE

×

10

Sharpening Outdoor Knives

5

Pocket knives & hunting knives

Step 1

Belt: P220 RED

Install red belt. Slide outdoor
knife guide over the belt
onto sharpening cassette in
sharpening position A.

Opposite View:

Guide in place

Step 2

Starting with the knife in the right side
of the guide, squeeze power switch,
and pull knife straight and steadily
through guide from bolster to point of
blade. Turn off the power as you come to the point while the blade is
still supported by the belt (4-in. knife should take 1 second per stroke).

Continue until a slight burr develops on the opposite side
of the blade (usually 5 strokes).

TIP: Keep blade against outer

edge of guide as shown.

Top View

NOTE: Proper knife-sharpening position: blade against outer edge of

guide. Place knife blade in the guide so that the side of blade is against
the outside edge of the guide slot. Use only the weight of your blade as
you pull through for best results.

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 now
using the left side
of guide. Repeat for
the same number of
strokes used in Step 2
so you sharpen evenly.

Top View

Your knife will now be “rope-cutting sharp”.

If you choose, you can proceed with the purple 6000 grit belt and
hone the edge for even sharper results!

Step 4

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

Remove red belt, install purple belt and reinstall the outdoor knife
guide. Hone knife by making alternating strokes (5 strokes per side).

NOTE: When re-sharpening, use the red belt until you raise a burr

(aproximately 2 strokes per side), then the purple belt for 5 honing
strokes per side.

SHARPEN RE-SHARPEN

P220

RED

×

10

6000

PURPLE

×

10

P220

RED

×
2

6000

PURPLE

×

10

Sharpening

6

NOTE: Serrated knives have

a flat side and a beveled side
on the blade; sharpen ONLY
the flat side with your Work
Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener.

Serrated Knives

Step 1

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

Install purple belt; slide outdoor knife
guide (includes serrated guide) over the belt.
The serrated guide is located below the 25° slot.

Step 2

Place flat side of blade against the
serrated knife guide at the bolster /
handle. Squeeze power switch; pull knife
steadily across belt from bolster to tip of
blade; 8-in. knife should take 2 seconds.

Flat SideBeveled Side

NOTE: Proper serrated-blade position: only place

serrated blades on downhill / right side of belt;
otherwise, you risk cutting the belt.

Repeat 2 to 3 strokes.

Sharpening Knives with

7

Partial Serrations

Step 1

Follow instructions for smooth-edged
knives on the standard portion of the
blade using the outdoor knife guide.

Use outdoor guide with

this portion of blade.

Step 2

Follow instructions for serrated
knives on the serrated portion of the
blade using the outdoor knife guide.

Use serrated guide with

this portion of blade.

Sharpening Hunting Knives

8

with Gut Hook & Blades with
Deep Concave Curves

Step 1

Follow instructions for smooth-edged knives
on the standard portion of the blade using
the outdoor knife guide.

Step 2

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

To sharpen the gut hook, remove
any knife guides; install purple belt.

Step 3

Place curve of gut hook over
the belt on downhill side;
allow belt to conform to
blade’s curve.

Squeeze power switch; hone
2 to 4 seconds.

Step 4

Repeat on other side of
gut hook.

NOTE: Only use the downhill / right side of

the belt or you will cut the belt.

Sharpening

9

Single-Bevel Knives

Step 1

Belt: P220 RED

Install red belt. Follow instructions for smooth-edged knives on the
beveled side of the blade using the outdoor knife guide. Continue
until a slight burr develops on the flat side.

Step 2

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

Install purple belt and hone beveled
side of the blade; continue using the
outdoor knife guide

Step 3

Hone flat side of the blade using the serrated guide;
continue using the outdoor knife guide.

TIP: It may be necessary to repeat this alternating

process of bevel sharpening and back honing to
achieve the sharpest results (no burr).

Sharpening

10

NOTE: Sharpen only the beveled side of your scissors. Marking the

beveled side with a black marker will make it easier to see when the
cutting edge has been sharpened.

Scissors

Step 1

Belt: 6000 PURPLE

Install purple belt
and the outdoor
knife guide (includes
scissor guide).

Hold scissors as shown
to keep blades open
during sharpening.

Step 2

Pull scissors steadily through guide
along full length of blade.

NOTE: For proper scissors-sharpening

position. Place scissor blade in guide
slot all the way to the hinge. Guide

magnet will help keep the blade flat
and stable during sharpening.

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 about 5 times or
until black marker is sharpened
off at the cutting edge.

Scissor

Guide

Step 4

Repeat Steps 1 to 3 on
other scissors blade. Test
scissors, repeat as needed.

TIP: Damaged or chipped scissors may require red P220 belt.

Magnet

Sharpening Tools

11

Shovels, Hoes, Axes, Pick Axes, Post-Hole
Diggers, & Other Edged Tools

NOTE: Tools such as these do not require sharpening to a precise

angle; just let the belt conform to the edge of the tool. It will take
longer to restore an edge to severely damaged tools. Remember, the
tool is not intended for heavy-duty use; do not exceed 20 minutes
use in 1 hour.

Step 1

Belt: P80 GREEN

Remove knife guide, install

green belt; move sharpening

cassette to grinding position B.

Step 2

Clamp tool to be sharpened
securely in bench vise.

Squeeze power switch; grind edge of tool
until you are satisfied with the sharpness.

Sharpening Tools

12

Pruners, Shears, & Other Bypass
Cutting Tools

NOTE: These tools usually have only one sharp, beveled blade.

Re-sharpen ONLY the beveled blade. These tools do not require

sharpening to a precise angle; just let the belt conform to the edge of the
tool. Remember, the tool is not intended for heavy-duty use; do not

exceed 20 minutes use in 1 hour.

Step 1

Belt: P220 RED

Remove guide, install red belt; move
sharpening cassette to grinding position B.

Step 2

Clamp pruners in a bench vise.

NOTE: Some tools require the

blade to be inserted through
the grinding frame opening
(as shown) to allow belt
access to the cutting edge.

Repeat 2 to 4 strokes or until you are satisfied
with the sharpness.

TIP: Tools that are not damaged or chipped may only require a honing

with 6000 grit purple belt.

Sharpening Tools

13

Lawnmower Blades, Straight & Curved
(Mulching) Blades

NOTE: Lawnmower blades do not require sharpening to a precise

angle; just let the belt conform to the shape of the blade edge,
whether straight or curved. Remember, the tool is not intended for
heavy-duty use; do not exceed 20 minutes use in 1 hour.

Step 1

Remove blade from mower
following manufacturer’s
instructions; secure blade in
bench vise.

Step 2

Belt: P80 GREEN

Remove knife guide, install green belt;
move sharpening cassette to grinding
position B; grind edge until you are
satisfied with the sharpness.

Step 3

Unclamp blade, rotate 180º and
sharpen other side of blade.

Step 4

Balance blade to manufacturer’s specifications and reinstall
on lawnmower following manufacturer’s instructions.

Grinding, Polishing,

14

The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener is the ideal handheld grinder
for small tasks, from deburring to polishing. Remember, the tool is not

intended for heavy-duty use; do not exceed 20 minutes use in 1 hour.

• Deburr tubing

• Grinding metal

• Grinding plastic

Deburring

• Sanding wood

• Automotive fabrication

• Any detail grinding task

Belt: P80 GREEN

Grinding position B

WARRANTY

1-year warranty on all WORK SHARP® components; excludes abrasives.

Warranty for consumer not industrial use.

Complete and mail back the Warranty Registration in the

WORK SHARP® box, or register online:

http://www.worksharptools.com

Darex, LLC

PO Box 730

210 E Hersey St

Ashland OR, 97520, USA

Do not attempt any service repairs other than those suggested by a

Work Sharp Technical Service Representative.