204 sharpeners

[clocker]

When are the 204's going to be ready with complete video? If I remember correct, it was going to be this month some time. Is there going to be any variations of the 204 or just one model (ex. standard / deluxe)?

 

[Sal Glesser]

Clocker - they started shipping today. But without the video. Just the instruction book, (which is pretty good). Video is schedule for completion on 28 June. Little note comes with the sharpener. Send in for video if interested.

Only one model. We believe that you really need all of the stones to have the coarse and find options that many knife knuts like. Often times delers were selling only "half" sets to make them "less expensive" but the ELU often only buys half of the options that way. There are also the 30 and 40 degree options.
sal

 

[Hammer]

Sal- That's great news!
Mike K.

 

[Donald]

Sal,
Are you going to offer extra fine stones as an extra option? If so, when?
Any progress on diamond sleeves?

Have you ever considered offering extra bases with different angles? Then we could more closely match original angles on our knives without the hassle of other systems. For instance Chris Reeve Knives recomends your Sharpmaker, yet his knives come with an angle of about 16 to 18 degrees per side.

Is there a usual angle on Syderco knives or do they all vary? ....and yes I would be curious as to specifically what are the range of angles or angle...

In other words a yes or no answer is insufficient .... not that you would do that.

Thank you.

[I hope the "shipping today" means the Sharpmaker 204 that I ordered through Bladeforums will arrive soon!

]

 

[Sal Glesser]

Donald - There is no plan to offer an extra fine in the triangular shape. The extra fine is created by resurfacing the original surface with diamond surface grinders. Quite difficult to do with the shape given. I have created a pair of extra fine triangles using a diamond whetstone and manually resurfacing. It took several hours to get what I wanted and I wore out 3 diamond stones doing it.

The 204 has two angles for knives. 40 degree (inclusive) for the primary angle (the part that does the cutting) and 30 degree inclusive for the back bevel. We have found that 40 degree (inclusive) offers the best combination of sharpness and edge strength on most good steels. Some "softer" steels or "low quality" knife steels might not hold that angle beyond a few paper cuts. But most of our customers are more knowledgable and are using better steels.

Spyderco knives come with a very thin edge when new (about 30 degrees). One of our "scary sharp" tricks. But even our own edges provide the best "combination" of sharpness and edge strength with the 40 degree angle. And this is what we recommend. My own serrated edges are easily sharp enough to shave hair or do the "standing paper fold cut" after sharpening on the sharpmaker.

We have considered "adjustable" angles butI believe that this solution creates more problems than it solves (a la Lansky). I would bet that the BG42 that Chris is using on his knives will "perform" better (best combination mentioned earlier) at 40 degrees or at least as well.

Hope this brings you closer. If you need additional "opinion", please let me know.
sal

 

[Harri]

Hi, Sal!

What is "standing paper fold cut" -test?

About the adjustable sharpening angles... What problems do you see in that? I have DMT diamond aligner, which is pretty much like Lansky, and I think that the problems assosiated with that would not be there in the "adjustable angle sharpmaker." If you would give many preset angles, then there would be the problem of choosing the angles. Probably not a big problem. Just many holes

. Would be better if it had somekind of adjustable base. But the fact that it only has one angle (haven't seen two angles version available here yet) has kept me from buying it. Otherwise it's a winner.

Harri

[This message has been edited by Harri (edited 06 May 1999).]