Altering Sharpmaker Angles??

[krazichinaman]

I've seen much talk about putting a rod under the base to alter the angles of the sharpmaker. I can not seem to visulaize how this would work and was hoping that someone could take a picture for me.

I know people like to do this to use the 30 setting as the micro bevel and use the altered angle as the primary bevel. Could someone please take a picture for me as to where the rod should be placed to reach an appropriate altered angle on the sharpmaker.

Much appreciated,
CM

 

[StretchNM]

Hey Chinese Man,
No pictures at the moment, but I've heard of guys putting one of the stones you are not using at the moment under the sharpmaker base (perpendicular to the base) in the v-groove slot there. THis creates a see-saw-like base. WHen sharpening the left side, you hold the left side of the base to increase the angle, or the right side to decrease the angle. Then you hold the opposite side when sharpening the right side of the knife. I forget which angles are obtained.

I use a 1/4" wood spacer under one end of the Sharpmaker base. I have each end marked because, using a protractor, I determined exactly where to place it to decrease my angle (using rods in the 15 degree holes) to 12.5 degrees. I'll sharpen say 15 strokes on the left rod, then switch the spacer to the right side (under the marks in the base that I etched there), and sharpen the right side of the blade.

Mabe I can take a picture tomorrow.

 

[krazichinaman]

If you could take pictures, that would be great! It could help explain it not only to me, but I'm sure many others on the board.

 

[StretchNM]

Hey Chinese man,
I read in a thread where a guy was putting a stone "in the v-groove" of his Sharpmaker. I thought it was a good idea, but I didn't try it because I'm happy with my little 1/4" spacer system. This morning I went out and looked at my 'maker, and it doesn;t have a perpendicular groove under it! So, anyway, I'll get some pictures of the spacer system I'm telling you about (as soon as my daughter gets home and gives me back "her" camera!) ((( )))

 

[he who say]

if you want you can just adjust the angle of the knife slightly, and get the same results.

 

[StretchNM]

I agree, and I myself will do that on occasion...depending on the knife, the edge, and my time limitations. I would guess Chinese man has probably freehanded the edge a time or three.

The only problem with that is it's hit-and-miss....it takes away any "advantage" the Sharpmaker gives. Each pass is dependant on your mental and muscle memory of the last, and each minor deviation compounds the error to the next pass...and on it goes. More accurate, I think, is getting those angled rods *just right*, then keeping your blade vertical, and taking as much guess work out of the equation as possible.

Chinese man I have not forgotten...I'm just slacking! ((( )))

 

[krazichinaman]

I remeber reading somewhere about people using rubberbands to hold the rods together. My brother and I calculated that the 30 setting is actually 16 per side(Not 15), and that if you use a rubber band or something to wedge behind the rods, that it will give you 2 more degrees bringing it down to 14. With our calculations, we have a primary bevel of 32, and a micro at 28.

I tested this out on my delica 4 wave but it doesnt seem any sharper then the usual 30 back bevel and 40 micro. Keep in mind, I am able to achieve hair whittleing sharpness from the 30/40 settings. Either route, it was a nice way to have an excuse to re sharpen my already sharp d4 wave.

I would still love to see how others alter their sharpmakers.

 

[StretchNM]

Here is a 9/32" piece of wood that I use on the Sharpmaker. When it's flush with the end, it gives me 12.5 degrees (25 inclusive). I'll stroke 10 or 15 or 20 strokes, swap the spacer end for end, and do the other side, and on and on.

I hope this is what you were looking for in the way of pictures. Sorry this took so long. I used a protractor to measure the angle and adjust the spacer.

Hmmmm. I'm just thinking of something I haven't considered before. I hope I haven't sharpened my knives this way before when re-beveling. The spacer must go in the middle if not on the end!!! I think this is right!