Ken Onion Elite Mk 2 Initial Thoughts 

Thanks for this video, I was seriously considering replacing my mk1 with the mk2, but after seeing this I am thinking about buying another mk1 instead and putting it away should my existing one fail and wait for the mk3

Sorry the machine alone (mk2) without the attachment is still 200$ it's 300$ with the added attachment. Just so you know

Really good review. I can see why a professional would have the same issues with it that you do. For someone like me, casual home user, I think it's great. Until I watched this video I thought changing the belts was super quick and easy lol I guess its matter of perspective.

The reason I bought the original Worksharp KO system was speed. I was getting good results with manual sharpening, but it was too slow. Mk 2 has some advantages over my system, but it makes belt changes slower. That's a non-starter for me.

Your deal breaker is ridiculous! LOL. There are maybe two people in the world that the 1.5 seconds of extra belt changing time matters! Lol

Nice comparison between the two units. Thank you. It helps me on make my decision on getting the mk2.

I have the first. These are minor improvements. What the new version needed is a platen on the top side with a consumable low friction surface to facilitate a much flatter grind.

It's nice to watch how manufacturers try to improve one thing while fucking up another. So they make the angle adjustment faster and easier (what for really? Isn't necessary) while at the same time making it more difficult to access the belt through the shitty plastic cover... You need to change belts more often than the angle... You set the angle for one knife but you change the belts for different grits for one knife... They also made sure you can't use the Mk2 motor with the Mk1 attachment tool... That's so nice of them. That will be one reason I'm sending mine back.

Great information thank you for sharing

Thank you so much you answered every question I had on this. I have the OG and get amazing results. I am considering an upgrade just because of the top frame work hoping it has more clearance on the left side for thick handle knives that the edge is very close to the handle. I look forward to an update after you use it a fair bit.

Make a video about using the first Ken onion to sand down the unnecessary metal bit on the Ken Onion Mk2?!

Excellent review

Yeah, they ruined a perfectly good product by making it so fiddly to change belts. 99% of what I do with these units is honing with leather belts, so this is a non-starter.

I hope the leather belt fits!..On the MK 1,i use two leather belts with a different compound on each!...great video...and this just made me subscribe..from Nova Scotia,Canada!

I like the speed control on the first one better because you can make move slower and when I'm using the leather, I like it going as slow as possible, the new one decides for you how slowly you can run it and it's twice as fast as the first one. Digital looks cool but in practice, like with music, digital is not as good as analog. It's not a real problem until you are trying to get the blade as sharp as possible at the end of sharpening.

What air filter are you using?🙏

I agree with your evaluation of the new add on sharpener piece to much plastic.I due love the new Ken Oinion sharpener the digital motor control I love to try that feature.I would love to test the new Ken Oinion sharpener.what a amazing update.

Tensioner on original also has issue of coming loose so I have to move red pin to tighten again. Lifting the mk2 on side slightly will make it easier and faster to put belt on. On the orginal grinding back plate I have two Leather strops affixed to back so I can grind chips out on blade edge faster and to reshape broken tips. The one on back of mk2 is so you don’t have to put leather strops there as it have flexible piece. It does make it tight to get leather belt in. I tested it last night.

The difference seemed to be 4 seconds…

Of coarse the new attachment isn’t compatible with the old one. Ken gets more royalties with proprietary products. The belt grits have always been confusing to me. I’m hoping at least the clip you pulled off from behind the belt on the 90 degree grinding surface is compatible

Thank you! Mine arrives tomorrow. Love my T8, but it’s heavy😎

Guessing you will get used to the MK2 and get as quick with belt changes as on the original. Me too, as I have also ordered mine. Good review here, thanks.

Is that an air filter/dust collector? If so how do you like it? I’m looking for a metal shaving container

Demo’d with a Tormek looming in the shadows. Hmmm.

Thanks for the video. Mine is also on order. I don’t think the belt change looks too bad…I think it will be just a matter of getting used to it. I use a 42” belt grinder and a TSProf system in my shop and I’m getting this to use as my portable machine. I have worn out two of the first model already!

Thanks for the video! Shame the new version doesn’t have a riser for the front reference plane like the back. For a business like yours maybe best bet is to use both and switch between with different bands on each.

That plastic cover looks like more of a nuisance. I hope I can get a leather belt on it.

Why caynt they put an adjustable reference plane that allows you to rest the blade on it while sharpening?

What is that bench mat?

Hi. Sorry if it's been asked before - what is your dust extractor device? Thanks 👍

I believe the metal clip is there to remove belt slack when you are trying to flat grind useing that surface of the sharpener (like if you want a 90 degree spine)

Work Sharp sent me a leather/ cloth belt with compound as part of the package. However, they also sell two ( I think ) different leather/ cloth belts.

As usual, great and clear explanation Nate.

I'd like to know more about that filter you are using please. Do you already have a video on it? Can i get the link if so, please? ty also, more on the whole set up you have in the back of your SUV, lol.

what is that red box with filter

Hopefully that plastic nuisance guard is not an integral piece and can just be removed and if the extra metal on the left side is just for holding that guard, maybe that can be trimmed down. I really like the improvements they've done and how compact the machine is, but I get tired of all the safety stuff companies do that make the machines messier and harder to use. You don't see any 2 x 72 grinders with a bunch of safety fluff on them and they are considerably more dangerous than these little units.