Hapstone R2 Opti model opinions

[JeffMann]

Did a search on this subject and came up with very little feedback. Only one real thing written on this forum and almost nothing online. Anyone have one? Like it.....hate it....meh?

 

[crn3371]

I have the R2 Standard and love it. I think you’ll find that in general the Hapstone system is well regarded here in the forum. The Opti must be a new model, not familiar with it. Hopefully our resident sharpening systems expert 777Edge will chime in and shed some light.

 

[777 Edge]

I have some Hapstone Opti clamps and they do work well on many FFG knives, but I personally still prefer the Hapstone Universal angled clamps primarily; with a close second choice the Hapstone Lite clamps.

If you were to get yourself a Hapstone Opti system with an extra set of either one of the above clamps, you would have a very good system.

The Opti clamps have an angled cutout to assist in clamping FFG knives (like many Spyderco grinds), but of course that is very specific to an exact angle of knife grind. They make up for variable grinds by being very thin, so the front of the clamps can flex when tightening and end up conforming with the grind a bit more. Because they are so thin and flexible, they can not clamp a knife as secure as a more "beefy" clamp. They are secure enough, but personally I prefer a rock solid clamp.