ERU sharpener review. Latest Feedback 2/14

No. The sheath is its holder when its used in the field and I don't think it should be used without, it would not be safe.

I like using it in a vise, clamped in the the center of the vise its easy to keep the blade aligned with the carbide faces and both hands can be used for long blades. I
worked on an 18 Bowie knife this evening. It can handle the big blades better when its clamped in a vise.
You lose some coolness factor without the sheath as well. :) Fred
 
eKretz said:
I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but "I don't have time to respond" is kinda' lame. You registered in July 2013 and have 445 posts since then. Seems like you could easily respond if you wanted to. Aside from that, even just a response with better pictures would be responding to multiple persons at once. A response of "trust me I make quality stuff" is something I think too many people have been burned by before. No offense, just stating what would seem to be obvious to me. If we won't get responses because you are not willing to put in the work to answer, why on earth should we bother to ask?
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Hit the nail on the head buddy.
 
eKretz said:
I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but "I don't have time to respond" is kinda' lame. You registered in July 2013 and have 445 posts since then. Seems like you could easily respond if you wanted to. Aside from that, even just a response with better pictures would be responding to multiple persons at once. A response of "trust me I make quality stuff" is something I think too many people have been burned by before. No offense, just stating what would seem to be obvious to me. If we won't get responses because you are not willing to put in the work to answer, why on earth should we bother to ask?
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Is this meant for me? The comment seems like it might apply but the numbers don't match up. Lawrence has only been here since 2013 and has but 445 post but I'm one of the old guard with 5,000 post with 10 years in residence.

We have all been burned acting on that utterance, trust me. But in my case I have the reputation that backs that up. Here is a link to my knife website: bethelridgeforge.com and my first invention which I manufacture and market:bubblejig.com I make only quality items I say it again and without hesitation.

You will get a more cordial reply from me with out the use of demeaning language. There is but one of me and I have much to do in life, please excuse the condensed post.

The carbides ride in the neutral position and are set in a stepped dado. They are first bedded in the lower dado with clear JB Weld, left to dry overnight with the "T" rose colored epoxy poured into the second dado forming the locking "T" that holds the carbide firmly in position.



In your earlier comments you were teaching me about machinist terminology, that is thoughtful of you, thank you, Fred
 
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Fred,

Have you sharpened any broadheads with the ERU and if so, what were the results?

OT
 
Old Traf said:
Fred,

Have you sharpened any broadheads with the ERU and if so, what were the results?

OT
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I have tried this, only once with the removable blades; I couldn't hold onto them. I am pretty sure it would work for the larger broadheads that are fixed. Those angles are clear up on the top or outer rim of the sharpener. It will go down to 14 degrees inclusive and still have the "V" showing. I don't know how practical it would be.

Good question, Fred
 
Yes, that was directed to you Fred. I thought I used quite restrained language, it certainly was not intended to be demeaning. My mistake on the registration/post count, perhaps I glanced at his stats after seeing your post quoted by him or just plain made a mistake, I beg your pardon. But the point seems still to be made even with the different statistics. Being selective in your replies isn't very reassuring.

As far as your reputation, I don't know you from Adam, and have never heard of your company nor products. That doesn't mean anything one way or the other for either of us or anyone else. In my opinion, only a fool judges a new product from any manufacturer based solely on past reputation anyway. Personally, I won't buy anything from any manufacturer, no matter their reputation, without objectively examining it for myself unless it's returnable. Again, I'm not trying to offend, merely stating my views in what I feel is a pretty objective manner.
 
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eKretz said:
Yes, that was directed to you Fred. I thought I used quite restrained language, it certainly was not intended to be demeaning. My mistake on the registration/post count, perhaps I glanced at his stats after seeing your post quoted by him or just plain made a mistake, I beg your pardon. But the point seems still to be made even with the different statistics. Being selective in your repliesbisn't very reassuring.
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I thought I answered your questions. I have addressed the same remarks many times in many different ways. This is a very simple tool in its construction. I don't believe there is a handheld sharpener that can be clipped to your belt and that will adjust from 16 degrees to 40 degrees and will maintain an excellent working edge without damaging the blade. These are facts, I've carried one for a year and a half. If you doubt this that is your prerogative. No insult meant in this, I'm just stating a couple of facts.
I believe you have it set in your mind that all carbide "V" sharpeners are negative and you want to prove that to me. Thats not the business I'm in. I create things and invent things and with each one I give all my energy. If I don't have huge amounts of time to chat on here its because I'm a 70 year old man who doesn't spend a lot of time in confrontational encounters. I hope I have answered at least a few of your questions in my post; as stated above I may have a couple of these for a passaround sometime soon if I get the time to operate it.

Check out my websites they may reassure you that I am not some car sales man trying to take your money.
 
Whatever. Reputation and a solid history of making an innovative product means plenty to me. Especially when it pertains to a small batch product from a known contributor of these boards.

Maybe it's just because I frequent this forum, as well as the makers forum, but I'd like to point out that I don't share your opinion. As it pertains to custom knives, your rep and word are everything.

I'm not saying that the product works or doesn't work, but it's not a terrible idea to show some respect.
 
Strigamort said:
Whatever. Reputation and a solid history of making an innovative product means plenty to me. Especially when it pertains to a small batch product from a known contributor of these boards.

Maybe it's just because I frequent this forum, as well as the makers forum, but I'd like to point out that I don't share your opinion. As it pertains to custom knives, your rep and word are everything.

I'm not saying that the product works or doesn't work, but it's not a terrible idea to show some respect.
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You are absolutely correct; respect is a must. My friendships and business dealings are all based on this. You don't last long on here unless you have a respectful attitude.

It's easy to get burned out on line when trying to juggle a lot of different issues. I'm a little stingy with my time right at this moment; we just finished a run of 100 Bubble Jigs and 100 of the ERU sharpeners. I have for a least a few days, shop time where I can work on what I love, the big Bowie knives. Its a rare delight to be in the shop blade smithing. I hope you can appreciate this.

Thanks, Fred
 
I think it should be kept firmly in mind that this is intended as a very portable field sharpener. Much higher quality that the typical pull-through, of course, but a field sharpener all the same. In that context I see nothing wrong with it, though I'd like to see a future model that goes up to 50* included (just personal preference). Thanks for creating and sharing this little item, Fred. :thumbup::cool:
 
bluntcut said:
aptu.jpg


IMH2CO (exactly 2 cents)

Best looking edge among images. Fairly nice smooth carbide abrade&burnish bevel, except:

Groove line entire length of the edge could suggest carbide face irregularity. Groove line depth from A is more than B, which could mean ERU didn't reached the apex in the tip area.

minor point - i. & ii. original grind lines at different depth (from apex upward to spine) which could mean this edge bevel is mostly even from heel to around the belly, then bevel angle deviate where eru might miss the apex. Especially if the knife pulled straight back without lifting the handle near the tip. Worth looking into whether the edge belly radius (curvature) and the carbide v gap (1/32) could interact differ than as planned/designed.
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Missed this post, good very good points.

eKretz, you have no idea how out of line you are. All your quetsions have been answered, all my comments I'm satisifed by with is response, and in fact he's communicated with me extensively by email and has sent out the device to be evaluated by myself and another member, so that will answer much more than if he typed a novel. Meanwhile, since most of us do know him from Adama we understand perfectly well he's busy with the Bubble Jig. You're kind of the odd man out. It's not really his reptuation we're talking about, but his credentials.
 
Fred, as I said, my comments were not meant to be disrespectful or demeaning. All are free to have their own criteria for judging products, I merely stated mine. I have no bias toward your sharpener, I'm merely trying to understand the mechanical workings. You say it doesn't cut, and I haven't seen a carbide sharpener that doesn't, so I asked for clarification as to the mechanical functioning and the angles of the carbides. Not trying to be confrontational at all. I don't see how asking for clarification is at all out of line. I don't intend to prove anything to anyone about any product except to myself, and that determines whether I am interested in that product.

To the rest of you: I have had no interactions with Fred nor his products. The only respect I owe someone I don't know and have never heard of before now is what he earns in interactions with me. So far Fred has been a good guy and is attempting honest responses and I don't really have a problem with him or his products, we just don't seem to be communicating clearly. This is much easier with technical discussion in person than through typed messages.
 
eKretz said:
Fred, as I said, my comments were not meant to be disrespectful or demeaning. All are free to have their own criteria for judging products, I merely stated mine. I have no bias toward your sharpener, I'm merely trying to understand the mechanical workings. You say it doesn't cut, and I haven't seen a carbide sharpener that doesn't, so I asked for clarification as to the mechanical functioning and the angles of the carbides. Not trying to be confrontational at all. I don't see how asking for clarification is at all out of line. I don't intend to prove anything to anyone about any product except to myself, and that determines whether I am interested in that product.

To the rest of you: I have had no interactions with Fred nor his products. The only respect I owe someone I don't know and have never heard of before now is what he earns in interactions with me. So far Fred has been a good guy and is attempting honest responses and I don't really have a problem with him or his products, we just don't seem to be communicating clearly. This is much easier with technical discussion in person than through typed messages.
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I agree with this 110 percent. Being a kinetic learner myself, I have problems in discussing technical issues through text. If we were face to face and could follow nuance and implied meaning throughout the discussion we would make much better progress.

If you are willing I can send you an ERU sharpener so you can make an assessment firsthand. The only thing I ask in return is that you compare apples to apples. I make no claim that my invention will do what a Lansky or Edge-Pro will do. It is a field sharpener and is meant to be used in that fashion to "reclaim" or "renew" a dull edge. It is perfect for adding micro bevels on top of secondary edge grinds. It is a precision made tool.
As viewed by the human eye there is no sign the edge is being distressed.

If you are willing, I really do not have the time, to pass this along to another discerning individual we may get a consensus as to its viability.

PM me if you have time to review my invention and then to pass it along to others.

Regards, Fred
 
The sharpeners we have at this point have tungsten carbide abrading surfaces. We are open to changing the abrasive if the carbide does not prove itself to be applicable in this situation. As we were assembling this idea we did look into the availability of other materials. There are fewer sources for the ceramic and diamond strips in the sizes we need for the ERU.
Keep in mind that we are not marketing the abrasive surface but instead the precise adjustment of the abrasive surfaces, their length, along with the sharpeners portability. Cool factor plays a small role :)
I have found over the last year and a half that the convenience, accuracy and versatility that comes with using one of these small hand held tools really changes how I go about keeping my hand tools sharp.

I thank all of you for participating in this discussion, Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
No. The sheath is its holder when its used in the field and I don't think it should be used without, it would not be safe.

I like using it in a vise, clamped in the the center of the vise its easy to keep the blade aligned with the carbide faces and both hands can be used for long blades. I
worked on an 18 Bowie knife this evening. It can handle the big blades better when its clamped in a vise.
You lose some coolness factor without the sheath as well. :) Fred
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You carry a vise in the field?! I kid, I kid :D This is a very cool product, but I don't think it has a place in my limited sharpening arsenal. I'm very interested to see how it works for others though, and I wish you the best of luck :thumbup:

Also, I'll be watching this thread to finally see those images of the edges!
 
Just a quick observation. The HRC of Tungsten Carbide is around 72. The HRC of Vanadium Carbide is around 82. You may want avoid sharpening steels like BG-42, S-30-V, S-90-V, etc. which contain Vanadium Carbides. TiAlN coated tool bits or diamond strips would probably solve the problem. I am anxious to see some photos and/or test results.
I find that the blades, which contain the harder carbides, don't require as much maintenance in the field. Good luck on your better mouse trap.
 
The carbide being used in the ERU is a C2 grade and has a Rockwell A hardness of 92 it has a density 2 1/2 times that of steel. I think the C2 grade is best for this application with its high wear resistance. It has a 2 micron grain size and uses 6% cobalt for the binder.

We went with carbide with this first offering because of its availability and price. We are looking at other abrasives and will make our decision after the first of the year.
With this first small run of 50 sharpeners we are looking for feedback on both usefulness of the sharpener, how easy it is to use and carry and what people prefer as an abrasive material. Out patent application does not mention what abrasive material is used, that was left optional.

Because of the newer steels containing complex carbide structures at increased Rockwell numbers we may offer diamond abrasives that can handle these steels.

Thanks for your post Tiguy!

Fred
 
I would be interested in checking it out. I have a few spare knives I could try it on and get some better pictures in the thread for the others. I can provide 30x optically magnified photos after the edges are finished and some better photos of the sharpener itself as long as you don't object, Fred. PM doesn't seem to be available; sending an email.
 
Fred

I think this idea is awesome and i would be willing to buy it, try it AND them make my mind up ;) Lol there are a ton of elitist posters on BF that swear they know this and that, can quote steel numbers like bible passages but they dont know a darn thing!! And now they can also predict the future performance of objects they have no idea how to use! lol i have to sort through 95% of the garbage posts here to glean the 5% of very worthy info. No matter what you say to some of these steel snobs they will not agree simply because their nature is not of a critical thinker but of a paste and clicker!! none the less as someone who spent many and i mean many nights filleting fish on the deck of a rolling and pitching fishing boat for a living, at 3am my fillet knifes edge was of upmost import. On a fillet knife 12" to 15"with such a fine edge angle it was very fastidious work that i would do before leaving the dock, sharpening took several grit stones, required a very steady hand and was very difficult to sustain the bevel accurately though a curve. (especially at sea, at night, with gloves) When the knife was deployed in the field all i needed was a quick edge "correction " to continue working hard. we are talking hunderd of punds of bony rockfish to 100lb tuna. the smaller fish really take it to a blade. Most portable field sharpeners as you said and i have tried them all don't go below 30 deg. that Alone! would be an improvement in the market as it stands only the gerber with their diamond fingers go so low and it sucks! In the field all you need is a simple portable accurate tool to restore the correct geometry and you are done. couple of passes and your done. Carbide is awesome at restoring sharpness without blade damage when you know what you are doing! I backcountry hike and this is what i have been looking for, several angles, all my tools, one compact package. I could go on about how most people in this forum dont know the blade edge angle of most of their knives, nor how to properly care for their edges. i have a ten year old spyderco delica with the factory edge going strong as a daily carry, i'm not batoning wood lol but my point is a good edge properly maintained and cared for does not require all that much other than common sense :)
 
If I might make a suggestion, Fred, you ought also to look into Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) as a possible alternative abrasive. This will cut all steels (nearly as hard as diamond) and also outlast any tungsten carbide.

I do hope that the poster above who is lambasting others considers that most who have responded in this thread would not have done so had they not been intrigued by the idea of Fred's new device. I have also not seen a single person say that it would not work. I am completely flabbergasted by the "now they can also predict the future performance of objects they have no idea how to use" statement. Is there anyone here who doesn't know how to use a pull-through sharpener? That post smacks more of elitism than anything I've read on BF in the 4 years I've been a member.
 
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