When you start using a Wicked Edge sharpening system, one of the first things you realize is that the sharpener is only part of the process. The other part is remembering exactly how you mounted the knife, what angle you used, which stones you went through, and what worked the last time.
I was asked a few times what database software I was using to keep track of all that, so I put together a simple Bento database for my knife sharpening notes. It is still a work in progress, but it shows the kind of information that is worth saving if you want repeatable results.
Quick Answer
I used Bento, made by FileMaker, as a personal database for tracking Wicked Edge knife sharpening. The main reason was that it gave me more structure than a spreadsheet, but without needing a full database system like FileMaker Pro or SQL.
The setup included separate forms for client information, purchase details, knife information, and sharpening notes. The most useful part was saving the Wicked Edge mounting position, sharpening angles, depth key position, stones used, notes, and before-and-after photos so I could come back later and touch up the same knife without starting from scratch.
Why Bento Worked For This
Bento fit into a nice middle ground. A spreadsheet could work if all you need is a simple list, but I wanted searchable records, images, PDFs, dropdown fields, checkboxes, and syncing between devices.
At the time, Bento ran on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and it could sync the same database between them. That made it useful for a sharpening setup because I could build and organize the database on the Mac, then view or update it from the iPad or iPhone.
The cost was not free, and I mentioned that in the video. If Excel or another spreadsheet is enough for your needs, that may be the simpler answer. Bento made sense here because I wanted a more visual, form-based system.
The Problem I Was Solving
The Wicked Edge makes it possible to mount a knife and sharpen at very specific angles. That is one of its biggest strengths. But once you have more than a few knives, or you are sharpening for friends, family, or clients, the details start to pile up.
If you already found the right angle and mounting position once, there is no reason to repeat all that work the next time. Keeping notes lets you put the knife back in the sharpener the same way and get back to a known setup.
That is especially helpful when you are experimenting. In my case, I was still learning the Wicked Edge system, so I wanted a place to keep track of what worked, what did not, and what I might change later.
How I Organized The Database
Inside Bento, I created a database called Wicked Edge Notes. Within that database, I used multiple forms so the information was not all crammed into one long sheet.
The client form was meant for customer or owner information. I had not filled that part out much yet, but it would make sense if you sharpen knives for other people.
The purchased form was for purchase tracking. I added fields for purchase date, purchase price, store, and a receipt area where I could drag in a PDF. For higher-end knives with warranties, having the receipt stored with the knife record is useful.
The knife information form held the basic details about the knife itself: brand, model, year, blade material, blade type, blade length, thickness, hardness, handle thickness, locking mechanism, carry style, closed length, overall length, weight, and notes.
I also added an image field. That let me drag in a photo of the knife and use the image view in Bento to visually browse records instead of only reading through a list.
Using Dropdowns And Fields
One thing I liked about Bento was how easy it was to create different field types. A field could be text, a number, a choice list, a checkbox, media, date, time, calculation, phone number, email, address, and more.
For things like blade steel, blade type, locking mechanism, carry position, and Wicked Edge ruler position, dropdown lists made sense. Instead of typing the same terms over and over, I could pick from a list.
For the stones and strops, checkboxes worked well. I added options for the stones I had, including 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, and 1600 grit, along with the leather strops and diamond paste options I was using or considering.
The Sharpening Notes That Matter
The sharpening notes form was the most Wicked Edge-specific part of the database. This is where I tracked the details that would help me repeat a sharpening session later.
I included fields for blade orientation, factory angle, ruler guide position, new left and right angles, depth key position, and notes. The ruler guide matters because it helps show how far forward or backward the knife was mounted in the clamp.
I also added before-and-after image fields. I had not used them as much as I wanted because I did not have a real macro lens at the time, but the idea was to document how the edge looked before sharpening and how it looked afterward.
One practical note I recorded was that my angle was slightly off when I got down to the strops, by around 0.20 to 0.30 degrees. I re-angled back to 15 degrees before stropping, and that made a noticeable difference in the edge.
Working From The iPad
On the iPad, the same information was available, but the layout worked differently. Instead of arranging forms exactly like on the Mac, the fields showed up more like one long scrollable record.
The dropdowns still worked, checkboxes were easy to tap, images were visible, and PDFs could be opened from the record. The sync option let the iPad find Bento on the desktop and update the data.
This made the iPad useful for reviewing records or entering quick information. I would still be careful about using a phone or tablet right in the middle of sharpening, because you probably do not want sharpening debris or compound on your device.
What I Would Change Over Time
This database was not meant to be a finished product. It was the starting point I was using while learning both the Wicked Edge and what information was actually worth saving.
Some fields might get removed. Others might be added later. That is part of the point of building it in a flexible database instead of locking everything into one rigid format.
If you make knives, sharpen professionally, or handle a lot of blades, you would probably want a more detailed version than mine. But even a simple version can save time if it keeps you from rediscovering the same angle and clamp position every time.
Key Takeaways
- Bento was useful because it gave me searchable, visual records without needing a full database system.
- For Wicked Edge sharpening, the most important details to track are mounting position, blade orientation, angles, depth key position, stones used, and notes.
- Separate forms keep the database cleaner: client info, purchase details, knife information, and sharpening notes each have their place.
- Dropdowns are helpful for repeated values like blade steel, blade type, ruler position, locking mechanism, and carry style.
- Photo and PDF fields make the database more useful by storing knife images, before-and-after edge photos, and receipts in the same record.
- The database was still a work in progress, but even an unfinished system made it easier to repeat sharpening results later.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full Bento walkthrough, including how the Wicked Edge database looked on the Mac and iPad, how the fields were created, and how the records synced between devices.
