Okay, after I received my shipment from Gritomatic on Monday I already did some tests with the Hapstone R2 and here my first impressions:
- The overall manufacturing quality of the Hapstone R2, its components and accessories is really good. Everything makes a stable and trustworthy impression. The products are also nicely packed when they arrive.
- Using the Hapstone R2 is quite intuitive and means no problem at all, even for a rookie like me considering such a system.
- Sharpening knives with such a guided system is completely different than sharpening freehand on stones, but I neither feel it is much slower nor more difficult, just the opposite. I need for a knife more or less the same time and the result is definitely better, at least regarding an even edge and achieved sharpness.
- The both angled standard clamps in my standard version work great and there is no real need until now to get additional clamps, at least not when sharpening knives up to 180 mm length.
- The optional scissor module works also great, while not really expensive, and is definitely a nice accessory to have.
- The Venev Centaur stone set works fine and can provide a nice and shiny edge. Until now I barely had the need to use the 80 grit stone and also the 800 grit stone seems to be sufficient for finishing a knife.
Until now I do not see any real obstacles or problems with the system, just a few areas where I need to get used to or which could potentially be improved:
- The Venev Centaur stones are double-sided stones, means they do not have the aluminum base with the bevels at the end. While they still can be fixed stable enough in the stone holder they nevertheless can tilt if you are not careful and pay attention. Also, when you then want to use a stone / strop with a beveled aluminum base you need to adjust the stoner holder for the different length.
- The fine tuning adapter is overall great, but in my opinion the thread is too smooth-running, means it doesn't hold its position during sharpening. No problem when sharpening, as you normally fix the stone holder, but if the adapter would stay in place you would have additional security that your angle doesn't change.
- The Digital Angle Gauge from Gritomatic is a little sluggish, doesn't continuously show exactly the changing values.
So my very first impression is definitely positive. I will do now more tests, sharpen different knives and try to learn all the necessary basics, especially how to clamp different knives. Most likely some experience is also needed with such a system. I will also check if I need potentially additional clamps, maybe in a different form, to clamp securely different knives.
Another thinking from my side: Sharpening most kitchen knives works great with my Shapton Glass stones, normally no need for diamond stones. I have seen there are Shapton Glass stones available for Edge Pro, means I also could use them with the Hapstone R2. Maybe I give them also a try, a set of 500, 2000, 6000 and 16000 would most likely cover all my needs in here. The diamond stones are definitely necessary when sharpening pocket knives with higher grade steels, no doubt about that.
Herbert
www.gritomatic.com
