Work Sharp OD55 Dual Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone System: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
The OD55 is a freehand sharpening system — a 320/1200 dual-grit diamond stone on a cast-aluminum base that also holds most third-party 3" x 8" stones — and its issues are mostly honest design tradeoffs rather than defects: the angle guides misalign on thin or third-party stones, and skipping an intermediate grit costs extra strokes. Running cost is just the stone itself, $59.95 to replace (Work Sharp, 2026), with no power, no supplies and nothing electronic to fail. It is a good buy at the $99.95 base alone if you already own 3" x 8" stones, and a fair one at the $139.95 complete set if you want the stability and guides.
Common problems and fixes
- Angle guides sit too low on very thin stones — Work Sharp documents two workarounds: lift the guides off their posts and set them directly on the stone, or reverse the clamp to secure the stone from inside. [4]
- Guides may not line up exactly on third-party stones — alignment depends on the stone’s height and shape; the designer calls the guides “a reference, not a promise of precision” because every freehand bevel ends up slightly convex. [3][4]
- Skipping an intermediate grit costs extra strokes — with no 600 grit between 320 and 1200, fully refining the scratch pattern takes a few extra strokes between sides. [4]
Parts and consumables
- Dual-grit diamond stone (SKU SA0007288) — $59.95 (Work Sharp, 2026); the only real consumable and the wear item; no replacement interval is published. [2]
- Sharpening base and holder (SKU SA0006806) — $99.95 (Work Sharp, 2026); not a consumable, but sold separately so either part can be replaced on its own. [3]
Yearly running cost
No ongoing costs: the system is manual, with no power, no electronics and no required supplies. The only consumable is the diamond stone, $59.95 to replace (Work Sharp, 2026); because no wear rate or replacement interval is published, a yearly figure cannot be computed — budget $59.95 each time the stone wears out. Upkeep is limited to brushing the stone dry, keeping 320 grit off the 1200 side, and wiping the silicone pad with soap and water.
When it is a good buy
- $139.95 complete set (Work Sharp, 2026): fair if you want the base’s stability and guides; GearJunkie estimates the included stone accounts for roughly two-thirds of the cost.
- $99.95 base alone (Work Sharp, 2026): the compelling buy if you already own 3" x 8" stones — it accepts most third-party stones and adapts to 1" x 6" ones.
- $59.95 stone alone (Work Sharp, 2026): expensive next to many third-party 3" x 8" diamond plates.
- Alternatives: Work Sharp’s powered or guided sharpeners such as the Precision Adjust or Ken Onion models are the better choice when you want the fastest, most convenient route rather than learning freehand technique.