Help me decide: TSPROF K03, Hapstone R2, or Kazak Pro?

[crn3371]

Sit at your kitchen table. I’d find standing to be awkward and uncomfortable.

 

[SpaceGhost88]

KakBritva "Luch" pics to drool over, FYI.

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[SpaceGhost88]

Yes, I know exactly what you mean by the offset pivot vs blade orientation but honestly it makes very little real world difference, almost irrelevant.

I have a couple early release AxiCubes that I have been experimenting with, and I do like them but I think there is a lot of room for improvement. As long as you use your digital angle cube to measure your angle right in the center of the sharpener and not rotated at all, then an angle cube is still perfectly fine and still my preference over an AxiCube.

I also have a K03 Pro updated rack and pinion, and it is nice but not necessarily a huge improvement over the previous K03 rack and pinion. Nice new rack rail and adjustment knobs, but it does the same job.

Don't worry... TSProf will come out with a "new and improved" AxiCube 2.0... it's a theme with them.

 

[craigdt]

I love my K03.
The rod is quite lengthy- it sometimes can be cumbersome.

Don't know that I really have any actual complaints. It does a great job, is high quality, and I love all the stones available for it.
My little setup:

 

[Steez]

If you attempt to measure your Hapstone angular offset change, be sure to take into consideration and measure + compensate for the primary knife grind angle on both sides, most knives do not have absolute perfect grind angles. Also make very sure your edge is centered and aligned (bevel not sharpened more on one side). Measure and compensate for inaccuracies in distal taper of the knife if this is not perfectly symmetrical. Make sure your sharpening system's clamp bar and clamps are perfectly tuned and perfectly aligned. Make sure you measure on exactly the same spot on the stone + knife on both sides. Also make 100% sure your angle cube is absolutely PERFECTLY squared with the center line of your sharpening axis. If the cube is rotated even slightly, the measurement will definitely be wrong.

For your question about the sharpening ergonomics, I generally sit and sharpen on a table. Height wise, pretty much standard dining room table and chair height. I find sitting down the most comfortable way, especially when I'm doing a lot of knives at a time. A seated height also keeps my eyes close to the job, so I can see what I'm doing while sharpening.

Excellent advice. I was planning most of this. But instead of using a knife at first I was going to use a ruler or the K03 calibration plates and then after I do a baseline, then test with a knife and the belly curvature. Do you think this is the best way to go about it? I'll report my findings here after I do it.

Sit at your kitchen table. I’d find standing to be awkward and uncomfortable.

I actually do have a spot I can use at my kitchen table by the wall and I set it up so it doesn't look terrible. Not a bad idea.

I love my K03.
The rod is quite lengthy- it sometimes can be cumbersome.

Don't know that I really have any actual complaints. It does a great job, is high quality, and I love all the stones available for it.
My little setup:

Nice looking setup and thanks for sharing. The rod is long isn't it! I understand they want it to be versatile for any knife or tool type and size but dang. I might actually buy another rod and cut one of them down so I can have a pocket knife rod setup and the stock one if I need it.

 

[777 Edge]

Do you think this is the best way to go about it? I'll report my findings here after I do it.
…...........
I might actually buy another rod and cut one of them down so I can have a pocket knife rod setup and the stock one if I need it.

Give it a go and let us know the findings of your measurements. Compare both K03 and Hapstone.

I have a few different 8mm rods that I use on the K03, KakBritva and Kazak systems. You're right, sometimes the rods are excessively long so it's handy to have shorter options. It's very easy to make, just buy a long piece of 8mm stainless steel rod and cut to size.

 

[Dawgmary]

Hi S Steez

I have all 3 of these systems, and most other ones available and they are all excellent systems.

To me, the Hapstone clamps are exceptional, and the Hapstone modular system is very versatile. As far as the slightly offset pivot is concerned - it makes 2 bits of no difference in the real world. The distance from the pivot arm to your knife is far enough to make the offset almost irrelevant. I find myself always returning back to my Hapstone systems after a while on the others.

Kazak's Rack and pinion and all of their accessories are unbeatable, but the only thing I think it needs is more clamp options. Gritomatic has Gearconnect adapters to use KakBritva clamps on the Kazak (and other systems). The Kazak light system is an absolute game changer, but again Gritomatic will have an articulated arm and floodlight system for most other sharpening systems available soon!

Now, let me make you even more confused and recommend looking at the KakBritva "Luch" system with its belt driven rack and pinion, and fully adjustable clamp holder mechanism. I've had one for a month or so and, man o man, I like it a lot. Again, it should hopefully be available on Gritomatic in future.

I just came across this site by accident looking for a knife sharpener system. It has been 7 months since your post, is the arrival of the KakBritva in the US going to happen any time soon?

 

[777 Edge]

I just came across this site by accident looking for a knife sharpener system. It has been 7 months since your post, is the arrival of the KakBritva in the US going to happen any time soon?

I think Gritomatic might possibly have some stock. Give them a holler on their "contact us" link on their site.

Contact Us

Please use the contact form below to contact us. We will reply to you as soon as possible! You can contact us on Facebook, you'll hear back from one of us.

www.gritomatic.com

 

[cnhensel]

KakBritva "Luch" pics to drool over, FYI.

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I found this thread helpful in deciding which machine to buy. Thanks specifically to 777 Edge for all of the insight. I ended up with the KakBritva Luch. I absolutely love it. The only downside was the user manual was in Cyrillic. I was able to translate it and I’ll attach it here for anyone who ends up getting one.

KakBritva Luch user manual (English):

https://imgur.com/a/fg4B5di

 

[Dawgmary]

I found this thread helpful in deciding which machine to buy. Thanks specifically to 777 Edge for all of the insight. I ended up with the KakBritva Luch. I absolutely love it. The only downside was the user manual was in Cyrillic. I was able to translate it and I’ll attach it here for anyone who ends up getting one.

KakBritva Luch user manual (English):

https://imgur.com/a/fg4B5di

Where did you find a Luch for sale?

 

[cnhensel]

Where did you find a Luch for sale?

I actually just emailed Gritomatic and they had it, but it’s not on their website yet.

 

[Dawgmary]

I actually just emailed Gritomatic and they had it, but it’s not on their website yet.

Dang, I sure wish Gritomatic answered their phone or responded to my online messages using their "contact us" feature. What did the Luch cost ya?

 

[777 Edge]

I found this thread helpful in deciding which machine to buy. Thanks specifically to 777 Edge for all of the insight. I ended up with the KakBritva Luch. I absolutely love it.

Congratulations! You're lucky to have gotten hold of one of them, possibly the only one that was available in the US for now! It's a great system.

Post about it when you've used it a bit.

 

[777 Edge]

Dang, I sure wish Gritomatic answered their phone or responded to my online messages using their "contact us" feature.

I got hold of Gritomatic and asked about this, they've had some issues with their contact us form and hours of operation being updated on their site so contacting them should be sorted out now....but you may be out of luck. I have a suspicion that C cnhensel managed to snag the only one they had.

 

[cnhensel]

Dang, I sure wish Gritomatic answered their phone or responded to my online messages using their "contact us" feature. What did the Luch cost ya?

I contacted Gritomatic through their contact form, no problem. It ended up being $350, a very good value in my opinion. If they didn’t have it, I was prepared to order direct. KakBritva has great customer support via email (albeit with the use of Google translate).

 

[cnhensel]

Congratulations! You're lucky to have gotten hold of one of them, possibly the only one that was available in the US for now! It's a great system.

Post about it when you've used it a b no

Congratulations! You're lucky to have gotten hold of one of them, possibly the only one that was available in the US for now! It's a great system.

Post about it when you've used it a bit.

777 Edge Wow, I do feel lucky! Was all set to order direct from Kak, then thought I’ll just touch base with Gritomatic to see if they have one or will be getting them, lo and behold, they had it! I’m impressed with the quality, especially for the price. No regrets at all.

Now my dilemma is stones. Haven’t invested in quality stones yet. Knowing they are going to cost more than the machine itself, I wanted to make sure I get the right ones for me. Vanev or Poltava, diamond or CBN? I also want to try to find a light setup and get it mounted, like the Kazak Black led’s (so nice).

 

[777 Edge]

777 Edge Wow, I do feel lucky! Was all set to order direct from Kak, then thought I’ll just touch base with Gritomatic to see if they have one or will be getting them, lo and behold, they had it! I’m impressed with the quality, especially for the price. No regrets at all.

Yeah, I agree. It's unbeatable value for money. Their accessories (additional clamps, scissors attachment, rotating platform, etc are also top quality and very, very affordable.

Now my dilemma is stones. Haven’t invested in quality stones yet. Knowing they are going to cost more than the machine itself, I wanted to make sure I get the right ones for me. Vanev or Poltava, diamond or CBN?

You're definitely on the right track with stones. For your best value for money, I'd say get a set of dual sided 1x6 inch Venev stones. If you want to just get 1 Poltava, then the 120CBN metallic bond is a great stone to have for bevel setting.

When it comes to Diamond vs CBN..."potayo potaato". With hand sharpening they will both do the same job, equally well. CBN only really performs better than diamond under stress and high temperature grinding - neither of which is done in manual hand sharpening.

This Venev Centaur set would be a great set and give you everything you'll likely ever need :

Venev Centaur Series Dual Side Diamond (3)Stone Set [6" x 1"]

Venev Centaur Series Dual Side Diamonds are used for sharpening knives on Hapstone and TSProf guided knife sharpeners, as well as freehand sharpening. Diamond sharpening stones offer excellent performance in sharpening knives of any steel.Centaur Series is dual side diamond with two 1 mm-thick...

www.gritomatic.com

Or even this Ursa set if - these are slightly narrower but still do an excellent job:

Venev Ursa Series Dual Side Diamond (3)Stone Set [6" x 0.6"]

Venev Ursa Series Dual Side Diamonds are used for sharpening knives on Hapstone and TSProf guided knife sharpeners, as well as freehand sharpening. Diamond sharpening stones offer excellent performance in sharpening knives of any steel.Ursa Series is 16 mm wide dual side diamond with two 1...

www.gritomatic.com

I also want to try to find a light setup and get it mounted, like the Kazak Black led’s (so nice).

Gritomatic asked me to design light systems and articulating arms for most of the sharpeners that they sell, but not the KakBritva Luch yet. Let me see if I can get around to making a light adapter for it over the next month or so, then you can possibly get one from them.

 

[cnhensel]

Yeah, I agree. It's unbeatable value for money. Their accessories (additional clamps, scissors attachment, rotating platform, etc are also top quality and very, very affordable.



You're definitely on the right track with stones. For your best value for money, I'd say get a set of dual sided 1x6 inch Venev stones. If you want to just get 1 Poltava, then the 120CBN metallic bond is a great stone to have for bevel setting.

When it comes to Diamond vs CBN..."potayo potaato". With hand sharpening they will both do the same job, equally well. CBN only really performs better than diamond under stress and high temperature grinding - neither of which is done in manual hand sharpening.

This Venev Centaur set would be a great set and give you everything you'll likely ever need :

Venev Centaur Series Dual Side Diamond (3)Stone Set [6" x 1"]

Venev Centaur Series Dual Side Diamonds are used for sharpening knives on Hapstone and TSProf guided knife sharpeners, as well as freehand sharpening. Diamond sharpening stones offer excellent performance in sharpening knives of any steel.Centaur Series is dual side diamond with two 1 mm-thick...

www.gritomatic.com

Or even this Ursa set if - these are slightly narrower but still do an excellent job:

Venev Ursa Series Dual Side Diamond (3)Stone Set [6" x 0.6"]

Venev Ursa Series Dual Side Diamonds are used for sharpening knives on Hapstone and TSProf guided knife sharpeners, as well as freehand sharpening. Diamond sharpening stones offer excellent performance in sharpening knives of any steel.Ursa Series is 16 mm wide dual side diamond with two 1...

www.gritomatic.com

Gritomatic asked me to design light systems and articulating arms for most of the sharpeners that they sell, but not the KakBritva Luch yet. Let me see if I can get around to making a light adapter for it over the next month or so, then you can possibly get one from them.

Thanks for the info! I thought scissors could be done on the included clamps since the angle adjustment is nearly infinite. Where would you see a benefit from the rotating platform in use?

So am I to assume since the double sided are more affordable, they don’t last quite as long as the single sided alternatives in terms of abrasive thickness? I like the idea of having the CBN for the heavy cutting, good idea.

 

[777 Edge]

Thanks for the info! I thought scissors could be done on the included clamps since the angle adjustment is nearly infinite. Where would you see a benefit from the rotating platform in use?

Yes, absolutely true. I had some of my old KakBritva models in mind when I mentioned the scissors attachment.

The rotating platform just allows even more flexibility, for example rotating it 90 degrees to sharpen a chisel or a planer blade sideways in the clamps. Rotating it into position to sharpen side cutters etc. Sharpening the front portion of a tanto blade without the need to re-clamp etc.

So am I to assume since the double sided are more affordable, they don’t last quite as long as the single sided alternatives in terms of abrasive thickness? I like the idea of having the CBN for the heavy cutting, good idea.

The abrasive is slightly thinner on the dual sided ones but should still last many, many years unless you're planning a professional sharpening service.

 

[cnhensel]

Yes, absolutely true. I had some of my old KakBritva models in mind when I mentioned the scissors attachment.

The rotating platform just allows even more flexibility, for example rotating it 90 degrees to sharpen a chisel or a planer blade sideways in the clamps. Rotating it into position to sharpen side cutters etc. Sharpening the front portion of a tanto blade without the need to re-clamp etc.



The abrasive is slightly thinner on the dual sided ones but should still last many, many years unless you're planning a professional sharpening service.

Thanks, I can’t tell you how helpful you have been. The rotating platform may be be a good addition in the future.

I ask about longevity because I make custom knives, so although I won’t be sharpening at the volume of a sharpening service, I will be sharpening a good bit of blades on it. I also offer free sharpening for life on customer blades so just wanted to make sure the stones have good longevity. Keep us posted on your light systems adaptors!