Recommendation? Guided Sharpening

[DavidHoback]

Could you please source the best such stones , priced within reason ? Not that I'd dream of having anything clonish !

Just to be clear... I'm not talking about "copy" or "clone" stones. Just the machine. Gritomatic is a fine place with many, many high quality stones. Chefs knives to go is also a great place for them. I purchased my last Shapton Glass stones there. So that everyone gets it, I built this for less than $60.
<a href="http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r491/davidhoback1/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg"/></a>
I modeled it after the Edge Pro.. It uses Edge Pro stones. But it doesn't have the weaknesses of the Edge Pro. And it is friendly to my disability. But most importantly, it was CHEAP for me to build.

 

[bflying]

Just to be clear... I'm not talking about "copy" or "clone" stones. Just the machine. Gritomatic is a fine place with many, many high quality stones. Chefs knives to go is also a great place for them. I purchased my last Shapton Glass stones there. So that everyone gets it, I built this for less than $60.
<a href="http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r491/davidhoback1/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg"/></a>
I modeled it after the Edge Pro.. It uses Edge Pro stones. But it doesn't have the weaknesses of the Edge Pro. And it is friendly to my disability. But most importantly, it was CHEAP for me to build.

Wow, that is a great looking setup! Did you end up making/milling any of the parts? Or are they all sourced?

 

[DocJD]

Hi,

Hi,
Hehe, that video is the best advertising for the clones I've seen,
sharpening is a lot like tying shoes, it'll work if you don't try to make your fingers/feet bleed

Probably the most common comment about these its that they're crap or fragile ... and still bodog: if you call this crap

Hi,
Consider the ~$4-5 diamond plates from 80 to 3000 grit/mesh,
followed by the ~$8 diamond paste,
after all the edge pro is a light force system,
and diamonds stones like light "force" to last a long time

Thanks ! Source for the diamond stones and paste ?

 

[DocJD]

Just to be clear... I'm not talking about "copy" or "clone" stones. Just the machine. Gritomatic is a fine place with many, many high quality stones. Chefs knives to go is also a great place for them. I purchased my last Shapton Glass stones there. So that everyone gets it, I built this for less than $60.
<a href="http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r491/davidhoback1/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg"/></a>
I modeled it after the Edge Pro.. It uses Edge Pro stones. But it doesn't have the weaknesses of the Edge Pro. And it is friendly to my disability. But most importantly, it was CHEAP for me to build.

Great ! "Cheap " is my middle name . Nice build but beyond me unless it's all off-shelf . Very cool AR also .

 

[bucketstove]

Thanks ! Source for the diamond stones and paste ?

Hi,
the ebay or the aliexpress or even then amazon (+$),
search for

• diamond polishing lapping grinding paste
  
• diamond sharpening 3000
  
• or 5.9" Grit Sharpener Stone Oilstone Whetstone Polishing Tool with Base
  
• or Knife Apex Sharpener Diamond Whetstone 80 120 400 600 1000 1500 2000 Grit 5 9" 5.9"
  
• or DMD ruixin pro diamond stone
  
• or sharpening diamond replacement stone
• or fix angle kitchen sharpener diamond
  
• or Pro Kitchen Diamond Sharpening Stone Whetstone Apex Edge Knife Sharpener Accessory 3000
  
• or Kitchen Knife Apex Sharpener System Replacement Diamond Whetstone or diamond sharpener 80# 2000#
• Professional Thin Diamond Knife Stone Whetstone

sort search results by price lowest to highest, filter using "by now"
pick a seller that has sold a lot of stuff and has great rating (they usually all do),

the polishing paste come in W1... W20 ... the number stands for microns, with a 6/7/8 pack you save a buck on shipping

Now currently on ebay
the few guys that used to sell a full range for grits
for the edge pro/ruixin pro (1" with plastic mounting base)
seem to have gone unlisted ,
still lots of guys selling 200/500/800, 300/600/1000 diamonds for ruixin
still lots of guys selling 6.69in x 2.95 inch "square" diamond plates up to 3000
stuff comes in stock, goes out of stock, toward the end of the year stuff goes on sale

Now currently on aliexpress the apex /ruixin/dmd/taidea (all dmdlxtools) diamond plates are available up to 2000 grit

 

[DocJD]

Hi,
the ebay or the aliexpress or even then amazon (+$),
search for

• diamond polishing lapping grinding paste
  
• diamond sharpening 3000
  
• or 5.9" Grit Sharpener Stone Oilstone Whetstone Polishing Tool with Base
  
• or Knife Apex Sharpener Diamond Whetstone 80 120 400 600 1000 1500 2000 Grit 5 9" 5.9"
  
• or DMD ruixin pro diamond stone
  
• or sharpening diamond replacement stone
• or fix angle kitchen sharpener diamond
  
• or Pro Kitchen Diamond Sharpening Stone Whetstone Apex Edge Knife Sharpener Accessory 3000
  
• or Kitchen Knife Apex Sharpener System Replacement Diamond Whetstone or diamond sharpener 80# 2000#
• Professional Thin Diamond Knife Stone Whetstone

sort search results by price lowest to highest, filter using "by now"
pick a seller that has sold a lot of stuff and has great rating (they usually all do),

the polishing paste come in W1... W20 ... the number stands for microns, with a 6/7/8 pack you save a buck on shipping

Now currently on ebay
the few guys that used to sell a full range for grits
for the edge pro/ruixin pro (1" with plastic mounting base)
seem to have gone unlisted ,
still lots of guys selling 200/500/800, 300/600/1000 diamonds for ruixin
still lots of guys selling 6.69in x 2.95 inch "square" diamond plates up to 3000
stuff comes in stock, goes out of stock, toward the end of the year stuff goes on sale

Now currently on aliexpress the apex /ruixin/dmd/taidea (all dmdlxtools) diamond plates are available up to 2000 grit

Thanks ! Great detailed information that I can understand and use . On Amazon and Ebay ,I usually do OK .

Aliexpress has just worn me the heck out with their dispute process . I'm retired but my time and energy are finite . Maybe particular merchants are fine but some just seem to send whatever they have laying around and then expect to negotiate a solution . Sorry for the irrelevant rant ! Thanks again for your time .

 

[SC_Dave]

Just to be clear... I'm not talking about "copy" or "clone" stones. Just the machine. Gritomatic is a fine place with many, many high quality stones. Chefs knives to go is also a great place for them. I purchased my last Shapton Glass stones there. So that everyone gets it, I built this for less than $60.
<a href="http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/davidhoback1/media/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r491/davidhoback1/IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2432_zpsxrgscyx3.jpg"/></a>
I modeled it after the Edge Pro.. It uses Edge Pro stones. But it doesn't have the weaknesses of the Edge Pro. And it is friendly to my disability. But most importantly, it was CHEAP for me to build.

Like another poster here I would love to know more about your build.
SCD

 

[DavidHoback]

Wow, that is a great looking setup! Did you end up making/milling any of the parts? Or are they all sourced?

Thanks guys. Yes, I had to link the picture that way. So you got to see a little more of what I do. Pictures won't post directly on this new format!? Oh well.

In any case, the sharpener was pretty straight forward. The base is a 1.5"x3.5"x10" 6061 t6?" Billet stock. The pivot was made with .75" square, by 1" long 6061 t6 blocks with a 3/16" shoulder bolt and phosphor bronze bushing between them. I used the same square Billet blocks to make the 2 stone holders. But I had to cut them by hand. Putting in the 45 degree checks to hold the aluminum plates attached to the stones, was the most difficult part. The rod is 3/8" 15-5 stainless steel. I used stainless 3/8" stop collars to position the pivot, and allow 360 degree left/right movement. Also a third collar which accounts for stone thickness, and the one stone holder is stationary on the 3/8" rod via 2 6-32 set screws. I tighten the stone between the brackets with the end part which I made with left over waste pieces of G10 & carbon fiber scale material, epoxied and shaped. Then drilled and tapped 3/8x16 threads. The blades are held by 2 30lbs+ neodymium flat magnets. The top is lined by black paper micarta. All the materials were purchased from Amazon. No special tools were used aside from a tap & die set. I did this with my one hand guys. Anybody is capable.

 

[cbwx34]

Thanks guys. Yes, I had to link the picture that way. So you got to see a little more of what I do. Pictures won't post directly on this new format!? Oh well.

Just cut/paste the IMG link directly into your post...

 

[Kai Winters]

I have a co-worker who asked me for a recommendation on which guided sharpening system he should buy. He wants nothing to do with freehand. He said he will be sharpening pocket, sheath and kitchen knives. I don't have any guided systems. Is their a consensus on which is best? He never gave me a budget so lemme have it. Then I'll let him decide. Thanks in advance!
SCD

Have either of you done any research regarding these systems? Is there a budget? They go from reasonable, for a starter kit, to pretty expensive. Additionally you need to make sure the systems you are looking at will work for all the knives you mention. I have a Lansky system and it works great for folding knives and smaller belt knives, including similar sized kitchen knives but it doesn't work well on long knives, at least in my experience.
I prefer free hand for long blade knives.

Everyone here has there favorites and espouse them quite liberally so keep that in mind also. I can't afford to buy several systems, especially the more expensive...though I wish I could...available thus can only speak on what I use.
The system you choose will also require additions based on the knives to be sharpened. For the easier to be sharpened steels natural, Arkansas stones/hones/etc can be used and are inexpensive but for the harder to work steels diamond hones are necessary and are generally more costly and an added cost to the system.

Good luck and keep us informed