Today we're checking out the company's V-Sharp A4 Elite model. This system features a metal frame with a durable powder coat finish and comes with a wooden base. The A4 comes with a 325-grit diamond hone, with a finishing steel on the opposite side. The system has the ability to sharpen knives at four adjustable angles: 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees. The wonderful people at Warthog also provided additional grits to further refine the edge. Those extras include 270, 600, and 1000 grit hones, and a ceramic hone. It doesn't help with testing, but the company laser engraved the wooden base with our logo. It's a nice touch and offers some personalization to the product.
Taking the A4 out of the box, there is no foam insert, no typical packaging mess. The unit is in the box with its base, screws for attaching said base, and a pamphlet detailing some product info. Assembling the base was easy, only requiring a flat-head screwdriver. The 325 grit hones were already installed and ready to go. The unit is preassembled, with nothing to install unlike other systems. There are two black knobs on either side of the system. They are used to center the V where the two stones cross. Mine was out of alignment from shipping, and adjustment was easy.
The system works by drawing the knife through the V-shaped opening in the middle. This is where the two diamond hones intersect, hitting both sides of the apex at the same time. There's even a guide to help keep your blade straight while sharpening. The wooden base does a great job of keeping things stable during sharpening. The system also has a flat area on the top corner that you hold to aid in stability. It feels very natural to hold, versus laying a hand on the base. The motion of the system can be very zen or hypnotic as you repeatedly pull the knife through. The whole thing is very unique in the sharpener world, and I don't recall anything else like it.
The stones themselves are a complete opposite of norms, just like the system. The stones are not very large at all, maybe 4" x .25", which makes them convenient for storage. Snapping them into the system is done by putting the shorter end in the bottom notch, marked for which angle you want to set, and the longer end snaps onto the top. There's no wrong way to put the hones in, making things pretty intuitive. The hones snap into the system with authority, giving you reassurance that they won't come out unless you want them to. Warthog provides a tool for removing the hones, but you can use the spine of your knife to pop them off. The default 325 grit hone that comes pre-installed should handle most sharpening needs. It's really nice how each hone comes with a steel, helping finalize the edge left by the coarse hone. 325 is pretty rough, and manufacturers don't normally ship a knife out with less than around 600 grit. The lower grit edge is not as refined but will definitely have a toothier edge. That's why I feel the additional grits are a must-purchase for the system. If you plan on using this routinely, you'll get a smoother performing edge by progressing through the grit up to 1000.
The blade guide does a great job at keeping your knife center during sharpening. The guide is adjustable, compensating for different blade widths and other factors. Warthog recommends that people sharpen knives at 25°, followed by the steel at 30°. Though 20° is more normal, the higher angle and micro-bevel will produce an edge that's more robust. The diamond hones are great for repair or maintaining edges that are really dull. But for touch ups, the ceramic hones do a great job. You could even use the ceramic after that diamond for a bit of polish, as the stone is about 2000 grit. The ceramic hones are great for serrated blades as well, making this a system that will take care of just about anything.
Warthog makes an amazing system that's unique in the sharpening world. It's a blend of different systems, combined with an ease of use that's hard to match. Not only is the A4 Elite easy to use, but its results are repeatable. I'm learning that some of the more unique systems are somewhat geographically locked. Yes, you can buy a Warthog here in the USA, but I don't hear people talking about them. However, in their corner of the world, they're popular. If you're looking for something that you can sit on a bench, ready to use at a moment's notice, that's the A4. It's a super nice system that's well deserving of attention.
If you're interested in the V-Sharp A4 Elite, or any of the company's other systems. Feel free to contact Tisha MacGregor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
