EZE-Lap hones and EdgePro

Been thinking of getting the apex model. Have lots of clamp systems but just not that satisfying. Actually I can do freehand, but I like the crisp bevels that can be had from a set angle. Any developments on the diamonds?
 
There's still about .9mm on one side and 1.5mm on the other of the previous bevel, but, when it's done, it looks my Benchmade 921 Switchback will have a main edge bevel of about 12 degrees included. The diamond, slotted with a Dremel instead of intelligently glued to a tape blank, is not parallel to its motion arm.

The downside is that you can't keep the motion arm at the same setting when you switch to your other hones. The upside is my Benchmade 921 Switchback is going to have a main edge bevel of about 12 degrees! I can drop the movement arm down to the 10 degree setting to make a microbevel and that's what I'm going to do.

The 150 grit EZE-Lap diamond cut almost as fast as the 120 grit waterstone Mr. Dale sells. Without wiping water and slurry off of the blade and shelf (just shaking dust off of each after a long time), it was just barely faster. If the diamonds hold out (and in my destructive mitts, that's a huge if), it'll be too cool for quick and dirty reprofiling.

So far, the results have been too cool and worth recommending. Best bet is to clue the diamond hone onto an Edge-Pro compatible blank, but Dremelling with eye gear and respiratory protection (I didn't wear a mask which made everything task like watermellon [including Slim Jims] and my boogers dark as obsidian) works, too.
 
What exactly do you need for mounting the diamond flats for use in the apex model? I have decided to get the apex model with 2 course stones and am getting at least a extra course, medium and extra fine diamond hones.

I get the impression that I would need to get the polishing tape mounts to mount the diamond hones, is this right?
 
Originally posted by kevtan


I get the impression that I would need to get the polishing tape mounts to mount the diamond hones, is this right?
Click to expand...

Close but not quite right.
If you look at the blanks Edge Pro provide you will see they are made up of two pieces of aluminum bonded together.
A base, with beveled edges and a spacer.
If you stuck the Eze lap diamond plate to this combination it would work , but at the same time , it would upset the geometry and the effective angle would change.

What you need to ask Ben to sell you are the beveled blanks, without spacer on, and
you stick the Diamond plates directly to them.

Explain to Ben what you are up to . He knows what you need.
 

What you need to ask Ben to sell you are the beveled blanks, without spacer on, and
you stick the Diamond plates directly to them.

Explain to Ben what you are up to . He knows what you need.
Click to expand...

Or you have a toolmaker at the shop make up some beveled blanks out of 1/8" aluminum plate, plus some tape blanks from 1/4" stock. I'll pick 'em up tomorrow. :D

Shalom,
Mark
 
Would it be better for me to get the apex from Ben himself or a dealer? I am asking because that particular dealer has a Spydie Calypso that I am interested in getting as well. I am looking at getting the apex basix with 2 course stone and the calypso to save on postage.
 
It's more fun to buy from Mr. Dale, but money is an important consideration. If you buy from the Calypso Jr. seller, you're indirectly buying from Mr. Dale and getting an EdgePro Apex and a Calypso Jr. Everybody wins!
 
kevtan,

I bought my unit directly from Ben Dale. Like everyone else has said, he's one heck of a nice guy. However, he will still provide support to you if you buy from someone else if you need it. Though Ben probably sees a little more of the cash in his pocket if you buy directly from him.

In any case, buy direct or buy from someone else ....... either way you are supporting him, so make your purchase with a clear conscience.

Mike
 
Finally got my edgepro apex from JF Jensen via www.knifeworks.com to save on postage. I also got the ungrade kit. Now all my knives have a nice shiny bevel!!! Only problem is the stones hardly makes progress against s30v(dominator,LF TighePan) , vg10(endura) and M2(710hs). So am planning to get the diamonds. All three of them, so there....!!

Do you guys have problem holding the knive with your right hand and the hone, the left hand? It feels kind of akward and bleh! So whats the solution if any?
 
kevtan said:
Finally got my edgepro apex from JF Jensen via www.knifeworks.com to save on postage. I also got the ungrade kit. Now all my knives have a nice shiny bevel!!! Only problem is the stones hardly makes progress against s30v(dominator,LF TighePan) , vg10(endura) and M2(710hs). So am planning to get the diamonds. All three of them, so there....!!

Do you guys have problem holding the knive with your right hand and the hone, the left hand? It feels kind of akward and bleh! So whats the solution if any?
Click to expand...

It feels strange at first but don't grip too tight.
Keep the holding hand relaxed and it will all feel quite natural with a bit of practice. I got my diamond 1x6 Eze lap plate glued to a piece of 1x6 aluminium 1/8th inch thick with a 45° bevel on each end. Seems to work as designed and so far I have used it with no negative results. Definitely worth $14.95 each. I got a medium and a fine.Time will tell how the diamonds hold up.
 
Nosmo, do you know how much Ben is selling his diamond hones for and what grits are available?
 
Ben's Diamond hones are not a stock item shown in his online catalog.
Ben is away from his office due to a medical situation( ? ) , so can not be called for a discussion. I think he uses Eze-lap's hones.

That said, here is info on the Eze-lap hones.

Without pedestal means the lap is thiner, and is about the same thickness as an Edge Pro hone. Thus when stuck to a piece of 1/8th aluminium plate, with bevels for fitting to the Edge Pro holder, the angles are just about the same when interchanging hones ( Important )

Quote.

"The Model you are looking for is the 42 series without the pedestal. To order these, you can call 1-775-888-9500 Monday through Friday between 8a.m to 4p.m. PST.

When ordering, please request the Model 42 without pedestal and what grit you are looking for. Grits below:

Fine - 600
Medium - 400
Coarse - 250

Thank you,
Tracie Louks
Sales
EZE-LAP Diamond Products, Inc."
1-775-888-9500 Pacific time
I asked about prices and they said this:

"42F w/o pedestal $11.95 each
42M w/o pedestal $14.95 each
42C w/o pedestal $17.95 each"
 
Does anyone know where I can get a 42C ? (I don't mind getting the mounted one and cutting it off the walnut mount.) They seem to be quite scarce. One place I looked at only had the 42F. It seems like I'm going to be using the coarse stone much more than i thought. And I'm keen to try the dry no-mess way. I've got some 40 grit 3m stuff coming but I don't know that that's coarse enough for re-profiling. [?]
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! This is an old thread from 2004, before we started the Toolshed forum. I'll move it there.

Go to TGB&U to find out where to buy. :cool:

moving-van.jpg
 
Nosmo said:
He maintains that the design of the EdgePro will allow far too much pressure to be placed on the diamond hone and this 'pressure' will literally rip the diamonds from their electro plated base.

In another life, I am involved with the 'Gem Business'
We use diamond exclusively to cut gemstones. The 'laps' are 8 inches in diameter and most have the diamond electro plated as the bond method.

A very gentle touch is required with lots of water as a lubricant and coolant. A novice cutter can destroy a $200 lap in five minutes.
Cause.
Too much pressure.
I was taught again and again. Let the diamond do the work, not hand pressure.
Click to expand...

This need to be repeated whenever diamonds are mentioned., slower, lighter does the job.

Avoid EZ-Lap's hype and never buy EZ-Lap when you can get what you need from DMT, much nicer people and better products.
 
cat said:
Does anyone know where I can get a 42C ?
Click to expand...

http://www.eze-lap.com/ You can order one without the walnut base.

A. G. Russell said:
This need to be repeated whenever diamonds are mentioned., slower, lighter does the job.
Click to expand...

Not with DMT's D8XX 120 grit/120micron Dia-Sharp plate. In fact, going lighter seems to make it wear faster than bearing down like an adrenaline-crazed monkey. LouisiannaCook and D_R_Sharpening's D8XX look much smoother than mine and I've probably chomped twice as many knives down to their proper size than LouisiannaCook has.

A. G. Russell said:
Avoid EZ-Lap's hype and never buy EZ-Lap when you can get what you need from DMT, much nicer people and better products.
Click to expand...

DMT's folks have been good to me (EZE-Lap, too), but both companies make great products. In this particular case, EZE-Lap is the only company making EdgePro compatible diamond hones.

The whole poly-crystalline versus mono-crystalline debate is just hype which benefits both companies. What matters more with 120-9 micron diamond plates is how well they're bonded to their backings and both companies are top notch in that regard. Should you venture to the sub micron sprays for polishing stones or stropping a shinier-than-a-mirror/sharper than a razor edge knife, then those dopey debates might matter.
 
All my Eze-Lap hones are still working well. Once broken in they have settled down and have sharpened many blades with allot less mess and fuss than Ben's water stones. I find myself continually gravitating to diamond for the simplicity.

Hi Thom........
 
Hi Nosmo!

I find Ben's 320 grit stone leaves a finer finish than a 600 grit diamond of any manufacture and the 220 grit stone is finer than EZE-Lap's 250 grit diamond (42C), so if I bother to set up the EdgePro, I use more fuss and muss than is fit to discuss amongst us.
 
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