Another guided system thread

Spats McGee

Spats McGee

Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Messages
388
First of all, yes, I'm working on learning to free-hand sharpen. I'm rather enjoying it, but it's slow going. And I'll admit that I'm kind of fascinated with the guided systems. I've looked at 777 Edge's 3D printable one, and it's amazing. Unfortunately, I also looked at how much time it takes to print one. The odds of my taking enough time off from work to drive to the next county to print all of the parts (even assuming I print them correctly the first time, which is not a safe assumption), and then to assemble them....? I've never 3d printed anything in my life, and I'm what you'd call "mechanically reclined." I'd be lucky to get it put one together correctly in a year.

With that said, over the past few months, I looked at the Edge Pro, Wicked Edge, KME, Hapstone, Ruixin, and a whole host of other systems online. I think I like the Hapstones. My budget is not unlimited, so I won't be buying a $1K system. I like being married to Mrs. McGee too much to do that. I'd like to stay under $250 if at all possible. I could stretch it a little, but I have some knife purchases I'd like to make, too.

Here's my conundrum: M3 or R2? I see the R2 recommended quite a bit, but my luck with the Gatco clamp hasn't been stellar. (Yes, I know it's a totally different, much less expensive, beast.) I'm intrigued by the idea of the magnetic table. If I understand correctly, I can swap clamps/tables/mounts on the base to make kind of whatever variant I want. Is there a good reason (aside from dollars) to pick one over the other? Please bear in mind that most of my sharpening is currently on pocket knives up to ~3" in blade length with one old Ka Bar and a handful of kitchen knives thrown in.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can give me here, denizens of BF.
 
Hi Spats McGee Spats McGee .

Without hesitation, I would go for a Hapstone system. If you like the idea of having both magnetic and clamp system, buy yourself a Hapstone R2 and buy the M3 (Or V8 if you want) magnetic table extra. The M3 Magnetic table is only $36 at Gritomatic.

There are advantages to both magnetic and clamp mounts, but honestly for an extra $36, why would you not just get a system that can give you both options you are interested in. You convert the Hapstone R2 into a Hapstone M3 with 2 bolts and about 1 minute's worth of time.

If you're on a budget, I would say R2 Lite and M3 optional magnetic table. Both are available from Gritomatic at the moment from what I can see. That puts you smack bang on your $250 budget.

Better jump on Hapstone systems fast, they are made in the Ukraine and who knows when the factory will be able to start up again so get one while you can.
 
Spats McGee said:
I've looked at 777 Edge's 3D printable one, and it's amazing. .... I've never 3d printed anything in my life, and I'm what you'd call "mechanically reclined." I'd be lucky to get it put one together correctly in a year.
Click to expand...

BTW, I forgot to mention that I'm working on a solution to help guys who don't have access to a 3D printer get hold of my Leading Edge system if they wanted one.

Still discussing options to provide printed and other parts as a kit. I'll post an update on that topic when all is in place.

EDIT - I am pleased to announce that my system will soon be available from https://www.gritomatic.com/
 
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