Generic edge pro

[G. Scott H.]

So will the authentic EP stones work in the clone? From what I've heard the clone stones are crap. Just trying to make lemonade out of lemons—maybe at least some folks would then buy stones & accesories from Ben that otherwise would buy nothing because the EP price is out of reach. I hope I'm not being too incendiary.

There's a comparison vid between the real EP and a clone on youtube by a Russian guy who appears to be using the real stones on the clone. Since I don't understand Russian, I don't know if he had to mod anything to make them work, though. I've actually had the same thought as you on this subject. I understand the argument over design theft, and it doesn't sit well with me either, but it could actually be a win for EP in this context.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

So how about them Sebenza/Hinderer/Strider fakes? Just label it as "clones" and its totally legit as some pharmaceutical in Costco.

When a competing product doesn't breaks or indirect-violates trade law(s), it's legit. Trade laws such as patents (innovation/design/etc), trademark, brand, so on. I got my first IBM clone mid 80's - bad Dell (PC Limited)

I doubt Mod will ban anyone for civilly discussing ideas/skills ... Thanks to BF where we can learn + teach/share!

Respectfully done with this thread.

 

[FCM415]

I had a PowerPC, apple clone! The edgePro however is a unique item. How it is interpreted is up to the individual I guess. So does questions about its legality and beyond also.

 

[FCM415]

There's a comparison vid between the real EP and a clone on youtube by a Russian guy who appears to be using the real stones on the clone. Since I don't understand Russian, I don't know if he had to mod anything to make them work, though. I've actually had the same thought as you on this subject. I understand the argument over design theft, and it doesn't sit well with me either, but it could actually be a win for EP in this context.

I saw that vid. Funny how I couldn't either because I dont understand Russian. The vid seems to have a lot of thumbs down seemingly because he was overly critical of the fake, favoring the Edgepro. I have seen positive remarks left by foreign mainly Russian buyers of the China counterfeit. So it can be serviceable and may make you an even bevel. But at what real cost? The answer to that of course have been beaten to death this past week...

 

[Robert1_1]

Actually I would disagree with this. What's been beaten to death is the ethics of using the generic. There's been very little first hand, objective info on it's effectiveness except for the comments from Michael.

So it can be serviceable and may make you an even bevel. But at what real cost? The answer to that of course have been beaten to death this past week...

 

[FCM415]

Actually I would disagree with this. What's been beaten to death is the ethics of using the generic. There's been very little first hand, objective info on it's effectiveness except for the comments from Michael.

Thanks for pointing that out but I do not know what you disagree with, nor was that fact you offered ever in question. You basically restated what you quoted me saying. The ethics of using the generic is what's been beaten to death as it is part of "the real cost" (among others) that I was alluding to. So, I have no issues there. In the end, anyone can say anything including Michael, James or Jesus and can all be taken with a grain of salt. ..

 

[Robert1_1]

Yep gotcha. I misread your statements.

 

[spyderco lover]

I know which one you're talking about and I own it. The system itself is pretty good the stones are crap. it's possible to buy the sharpener for about 30 off ebay then sink about 80 bucks into some good stones from edge pro and have a great sharpening option.

 

[grizzled gizzard]

Thank you for sharing, Spyderco lover.

It seems like several guys here have experience with this machine, if you look through both threads. I feel like I learned enough.

I'm sure you could make your own stone arm, and glue the feet to the bottom of a pyrex cake pan, and you would have something that works pretty well, but still holds no value. You would also be fooling around quite a bit, and by the time you've gotten good stones, you really haven't saved enough money to make it worth the trouble, the way I see it.

Another significant advantage of buying quality equipment, is that it holds it's value to a much higher degree.

 

[JoJoMonkey]

I am new to this forum and this will be my first post. In view of the lively debate over Chinese knockoffs, IP rights and patent infringement, I decided to conduct a patent search for patents assigned to Edge Pro or naming Ben Dale as an inventor. I found no pertinent patents. I also visited the Edge Pro website and did not find any patent numbers mentioned. It is possible that I missed a patent but those who own the product can check the packaging or the device itself and it should be marked with the patent number. If no patent numbers are present then I think it is safe to say that no such patents exist. Thus, it appears that the Chinese copies of the Edge Pro Apex system are not infringing any Edge Pro patents. Also, the generic versions do not use the name "Edge Pro" or anything similar so I do not thing Edge Pro has any ammunition under trademark law or unfair competition to use against the Chinese manufacturer. I cannot comment on the relative qualities of the U.S. vs. the Chinese versions as I have not tried them. However, I am tempted to buy the generic product for practice before buying the real deal.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The issue of the patent was addressed in the other thread, linked in my earlier post in this thread. The EP was patented in 1993. Now it's expired, as of 2010, after the standard 17 years of patent protection.

(from my post #40 in the other closed thread -->: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-this-sharpener-seem-any-good-(Picture-heavy) )

"Regarding the existence of a patent for the Edge Pro (in it's original form, apparently):

'Professional Cutlery Sharpening Machine', patent #5,185,958; issued Feb 16, 1993 to 'Benton Dale':

http://www.google.com/patents?id=tcknAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

(...)"

 

[abizdafuzz]

The issue of the patent was addressed in the other thread, linked in my earlier post in this thread. The EP was patented in 1993. Now it's expired, as of 2010, after the standard 17 years of patent protection.

Actually, its 20 years from the date of application...which in this case was 1990, so yes it is expired non the less.

 

[grizzled gizzard]

Actually, its 20 years from the date of application...which in this case was 1990, so yes it is expired non the less.

I noticed that too. It does make it easier to accept a product that you don't have to buy on the "black market".

I thought that we had moved on to the merit of the object.

So now we have the choice of how we're going to spend our money. If I were Ben, I think I could be happy with this. There are going to be so many new people introduced to sharpening "his way".

Now, how many times have you seen someone take a step backward instead of forward? Nobody buys an EP Pro, then decides an Apex would be better. They buy the Apex, then they buy the Pro.

There's going to be a gluttony of people who buy this cheap thing, and immediately throw that measly $40 down the drain and get a real tool.

I think it's a very good possibility.

 

[cbwx34]

I bit the bullet and got one to compare. I may write a review at some point... but in summary... the quality is definitely not as good, the design is based on the "1st generation" Edge Pro, that has since been improved, and the stones are crap (as someone said). The "Blade Stop" safety design is not present in either direction, so you can, in theory anyway, run your hand into the blade, and you can also run the stone off the edge of the blade, messing up the sharpening. Also, thought you'd like to see how accurate the angle markings are next to the "real thing"...

and a sample of how well it's put together...

 

[FCM415]

Your goal was to compare the two, its fitting to see all my observations I shared in this and the previous thread inlcuding Ben Dale's input to be verified by your post. What was my first post in the original thread? Anyone want to quote me?