Recommendation? Anybody grab a Gauntlet yet?

I assume we're talking about the newly offered Gauntlet sharpening system and, if so, I really don't understand what the Gauntlet offers that the Sharpmaker doesn't offer already.

The Gauntlet only comes w/a pair of fine rods w/the Select version ($80 MSRP) and a pair of fine and CBN rods w/the Premium version ($165 MSRP). On the other hand, the Sharpmaker comes w/a pair of fine and medium rods for $105 (MSRP) and you can also purchase additional rods for it, including ultra fine ($25 MSRP), CBN ($82 MSRP) and diamond ($82 MSRP), which makes it far more versatile than the Gauntlet.

So, I wouldn't even think about buying the Gauntlet unless the elliptical shape of the Gauntlet rods is markedly SUPERIOR to the triangular rods offered w/the Sharpmaker but, given the results that I already get w/my Sharpmaker, I don't see how the results w/the Gauntlet could be THAT much better, especially in my clumsy and inexperienced hands.

However, I'd certainly be interested in seeing/reading/hearing a comparative review of the performance of the 2 systems using the same rod material (fine and CBN).
 
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sgt1372 said:
I assume we're talking about the newly offered Gauntlet sharpening system and, if so, I really don't understand what the Gauntlet offers that the Sharpmaker doesn't offer already.

The Gauntlet only comes w/a pair of fine rods w/the Select version ($80 MSRP) and a pair of fine and CBN rods w/the Premium version ($165 MSRP). On the other hand, the Sharpmaker comes w/a pair of fine and medium rods for $105 (MSRP) and you can also purchase additional rods for it, including ultra fine ($25 MSRP), CBN ($82 MSRP) and diamond ($82 MSRP), which makes it far more versatile than the Gauntlet.

So, I wouldn't even think about buying the Gauntlet unless the elliptical shape of the Gauntlet rods is markedly SUPERIOR to the triangular rods offered w/the Sharpmaker but, given the results that I already get w/my Sharpmaker, I don't see how the results w/the Gauntlet could be THAT much better, especially in my clumsy and inexperienced hands.

However, I'd certainly be interested in seeing/reading/hearing a comparative review of the performance of the 2 systems using the same rod material (fine and CBN).
Click to expand...

That's basically what I was thinking. :)

I like using the edges of the Sharpmaker rods and I was thinking this might optimize that effect.
 
I think the roundness of the rods is simply to make it easier to maintain contact between the rod and knife edge. I find the flat side of the rods on my sharpmaker a little annoying to use depending on the blade design.

That all said, i have a sharpmaker... aside from the gauntlet being new and a little more streamlined (i think its less unpacking of everything) im not sure theres a need to "upgrade"
 
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