KakBritva Luch, Hapstone R2, TSPROF K03.........looking for a fixed higher end "complete" sharpening system. Need advice

[Dawgmary]

When it comes to sharpening stones, what grit/set would you recommend for a "new person to sharpening" buy?

 

[777 Edge]

When it comes to sharpening stones, what grit/set would you recommend for a "new person to sharpening" buy?

It depends on your knife steels. If you have (or plan on getting) any modern high vanadium (or similar) carbide steels, then Diamond or CBN stones are best. The Diamond or CBN also work just fine on basic steels, but if you only have more basic steels then aluminum oxide or silicon carbide stones are fine.

Resin, sintered or bonded stones are best, but if you want to save then diamond plated stones will do a decent job too.

Have a browse around on the Gritomatic website, they have an incredible collection of stones - anything you'll ever need.

Top choices in my opinion, are Venev bonded (either diamond or CBN) stones, CGSW (or Edge pro matrix) stones, or Poltava CBN stones.

If you're just getting into sharpening and want stones that do a good job in most cases, then diamond plated stones are great. Even the cheap plastic backed Chinese diamond plated stones are good in most cases. Perhaps something along the lines of 120, 240, 600 and 1000 grit cheap diamond plated stones is a good place to start.

 

[sranderle]

Like the OP, I too have fallen into the guided sharpener rabbit hole.

I have been considering Hapstone, TSPROF, Kazak Pro, Kak Britva as well as a couple others.

I just came across the Jende JIGS 2.0. Does anyone have any experience with or feedback on this system?

Also, thoughts on the Chosera stones would be welcomed. I have read in several places that they are highly thought of.


Thanks!

 

[777 Edge]

I have been considering Hapstone, TSPROF, Kazak Pro, Kak Britva as well as a couple others.

I just came across the Jende JIGS 2.0. Does anyone have any experience with or feedback on this system?

Also, thoughts on the Chosera stones would be welcomed. I have read in several places that they are highly thought of.


Thanks!

Naniwa makes great sharpening stones, and their Chosera line of stones is one of the premium lines. Their abrasive is aluminum oxide. If you have mainly high carbon knives, or more traditional steels then they are great. If you have a lot of modern / "super" steels (high vanadium/similar carbide) then diamond or CBN stones are best.

Jende Jigs is a high quality sharper with mostly stainless steel used in production and I'm sure you'll be happy with it quality wise, but later on you'll be very limited of you want to upgrade or improve on it. Last I checked, they don't have additional clamp options, magnetic platforms, scissors adapters etc.

Hapstone and TSProf are much more specialized sharpener specific companies with lots of options, upgrades and accessories.

The best bang-for-your buck, top quality modular system with lots of options would be the Hapstone system. TSProf makes excellent sharpeners too, but their purchase price and accessories are more expensive for what you get.

 

[sranderle]

777 Edge, thanks for the reply.

I initially was looking at TSPROF, but the cost of the system and options made me look further.

I am leary of the Hapstone two-piece stone holders, as I have been seeing people report issues with them coming apart. Are there any alternate stone holders for the Hapstone system?

I also don't know how available they are due to current world affairs.

I' ve seen you mention the Hapstone Lite clamps, but cannot seem to find them anywhere. Maybe they are no longer available.

I have given some thought to a Kazak Pro system, bought directly from the manufacturer. The Polish VAT is an extra cost, though.

Right now, I don't know what to think about Gritomatic as a supplier as they don't seem to be able to answer various requests for information (FB, site post, phone).

I am looking to sharpen my Wusthof kitchen knives, a variety of folders/fixed blades with the highest quality steel being VG-10, and scissors.

 

[Dawgmary]

777 Edge, thanks for the reply.

I initially was looking at TSPROF, but the cost of the system and options made me look further.

I am leary of the Hapstone two-piece stone holders, as I have been seeing people report issues with them coming apart. Are there any alternate stone holders for the Hapstone system?

I also don't know how available they are due to current world affairs.

I' ve seen you mention the Hapstone Lite clamps, but cannot seem to find them anywhere. Maybe they are no longer available.

I have given some thought to a Kazak Pro system, bought directly from the manufacturer. The Polish VAT is an extra cost, though.

Right now, I don't know what to think about Gritomatic as a supplier as they don't seem to be able to answer various requests for information (FB, site post, phone).

I am looking to sharpen my Wusthof kitchen knives, a variety of folders/fixed blades with the highest quality steel being VG-10, and scissors.

I finally gave up on Gritomatic and bought directly from Hapstone. Hapstone had everything in stock. Order was placed on 1/17/23. Shipment cleared Ukraine Customs on 1/18/23. Package is currently on its way to the US. FWIW, I purchased the Hapstone R2 Opti system.

 

[sranderle]

Dawgmary, did you order anything besides the Opti kit? Clamps, stones, strops, modules, ...

 

[Dawgmary]

Dawgmary, did you order anything besides the Opti kit? Clamps, stones, strops, modules, ...

Gunny Juice Poly Diamond Emulsion (Suspension) - Micron Grit 1: 6 mkm	Diamond Emulsion	1	$23.00	$23.00
Kangaroo Leather Strop	ROO	1	$12.00	$12.00
Hapstone R2 Opti Knife Sharpener - Stones: No stones - Options: Fine - Tuning Adapte.. - Options: Stoppers (2 pcs.) - Options: Digital Angle Gauge	HAPSTONE-R2-OPTI-BAREBONE	1	$301.00	$301.00
Hapstone Start CBN - JIS Grit Start: Grit 100 - JIS Grit Start: Grit 220 - JIS Grit Start: Grit 400 - JIS Grit Start: Grit 800 - JIS Grit Start: Grit 1200	Start CBN	1	$170.00	$170.00
Sub-Total:	$506.00
Standard shipping (delivery time 15-25 days):	$0.00

 

[777 Edge]

I finally gave up on Gritomatic and bought directly from Hapstone.

I got hold of Gritomatic and asked about this for you, apparently 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.

 

[777 Edge]

I am leary of the Hapstone two-piece stone holders, as I have been seeing people report issues with them coming apart. Are there any alternate stone holders for the Hapstone system?

Nope, no problems that I've found on any of my Hapstones. The 2 piece stone holder is the best way to go because it's adjustable for any typical stone size. From less than 4 inches to more than 6 inches.

I also don't know how available they are due to current world affairs.

Their availability is good and sorted out now, sounds like they have relocated their manufacturing out of the Ukraine.

I' ve seen you mention the Hapstone Lite clamps, but cannot seem to find them anywhere. Maybe they are no longer available.

For now, unfortunately it seems the regular Lite clamps are discontinued but it sounds like they may be reconsidering bringing them back.

I have given some thought to a Kazak Pro system, bought directly from the manufacturer. The Polish VAT is an extra cost, though.

Kazak makes a great sharpener, you'll be happy with it for sure. Gritomatic will be selling more and more Kazak systems soon as far as I understand. Even the Kazak "Mosquito" should be available soon for a very fair price.

 

[sranderle]

For now, unfortunately it seems the regular Lite clamps are discontinued but it sounds like they may be reconsidering bringing them back.

777 Edge, would you recommend any additional clamps than the set that comes with the R2 Opti?

 

[777 Edge]

777 Edge, would you recommend any additional clamps than the set that comes with the R2 Opti?

Actually, in all honesty I personally do not like or recommend the Opti clamps that much. I much prefer the standard universal angled clamps.

I have all of Hapstone's clamps - past and present and my favorites are: #1 The standard universal angled clamps and #2 The regular Lite clamps. The Lite clamps are temporarily discontinued unfortunately...I hope Hapstone decides to bring them back.

The Opti clamps is a great idea from Hapstone, but they do not perform nearly as well as intended or designed. They are designed to conform with the shape of a knife grind depending on how much clamp force you put on them but because of this and how thin they are, they deform too easily and then do not provide the best solid grip on a knife. With many blades, you can move and shift it inside the Opti clamps no matter how much clamping force you apply. On some Spyderco FFG grinds (as an example) they will deform so much that they even start to open the tips of the jaws if you try to tighten them enough to grip properly.

You can make them work (within reason) with a grippy pad inside them (like RIB boat fabric or something) but even then they don't clamp nearly as well as the standard universal angled clamps do. The universal angled clamps can be adjusted to perfectly conform to your knife grind too, but they are as solid as can be when tightened and used correctly.

Getting it through Gritomatic would be your best bet for easy after sales support if you ever need it, assuming you're in the USA.

 

[sranderle]

777 Edge, I am in the USA. We'll see if Gritomatic replies to the two previous contact attempts.

So for Hapstone, the R2 Standard would be all that is needed. No additional clamps, magnetic table, etc.

Have you had any experience with their Rack and Pinion angle adjuster?

Thanks for sharing all of your insight!!

 

[777 Edge]

777 Edge, I am in the USA. We'll see if Gritomatic replies to the two previous contact attempts.

I'm sure they'll get back to you. I've found that they've always been great at their customer support.

So for Hapstone, the R2 Standard would be all that is needed. No additional clamps, magnetic table, etc.

Unless you have a tiny or extremely narrow blade that you want to sharpen at a very low angle, the R2 Standard (Comes with the Universal angled clamps) will do everything you need. Most kitchen knives, most EDC knives etc.

If you want to put really low angles on very thin knives, then the magnetic platform (V8) is a good choice.

The scissors adapter is worth having if you ever plan on trying your hand at scissors sharpening.

Have you had any experience with their Rack and Pinion angle adjuster?

I have 2 different Hapstone rack and pinions (older and newer generation) and even though they are nice, I personally still prefer using their regular vertical rod paired up with their fine tuning adapter. It's much smoother and more accurate at fine angle tuning than just about any rack and pinion.

So, in summary - I would highly recommend getting a Fine tuning adapter, digital angle cube and 2 spring assisted stoppers together with the Hapstone model you choose. You can always get additional accessories later on if you want to try those out.

Thanks for sharing all of your insight!!

It's my pleasure, happy to help!

 

[sranderle]

As far as stones, I was headed in the 120 diamond/cbn plus the Chosera stones to 10k.

Of course, then I saw your recommendation for the Venev Ursa dual-sided stones.

Which would be a better route to take, or something else, to get started as well as longer term? Would the 5k/10k Chosera still be useful for finishing?

Wood vs leather strop for use without compound?

 

[777 Edge]

As far as stones, I was headed in the 120 diamond/cbn plus the Chosera stones to 10k.

Which would be a better route to take, or something else, to get started as well as longer term? Would the 5k/10k Chosera still be useful for finishing?

If you want more of an all-round set of stones that can handle any steel, then diamond or CBN is the way to go.

Chosera stones are great, but really not designed with modern "super steels" / high vanadium carbide or similar steels in mind. If you're only ever sharpening traditional steels then the Chosera stones are perfect.

The Venev F1500 stone grit size rating sits around about equal to the Japanese JIS 6000 grit or around #8000 grit that Shapton seem to use.

Wood vs leather strop for use without compound?

If you're going for leather, then thin leather like Kangaroo or thin bovine is good on pasted strops. Wood strops are good because they won't round your edge off as easy as leather would if you're not careful. Not using any compound won't really do much unless you're maintaining a straight razor.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

I bought a Hapstone and a Tormek at the same time.
I used the Hapstone once.
I use the Tormek to sharpen everything I have.

When I see these threads, I think about all the time I'd be wasting if I didn't have the Tormek. I'm not trying to persuade anyone from this or that, just need to let everyone know how much I hate wasting time.

 

[777 Edge]

...When I see these threads, I think about all the time I'd be wasting if I didn't have the Tormek. I'm not trying to persuade anyone from this or that, just need to let everyone know how much I hate wasting time.

Valid point for sure, a Tormek is a great machine and worth having if you need to sharpen a lot of knives and do it just to get the job done. It is limiting when you want to experiment with a large variety of abrasives on many different knife steels though. That said, the abrasives options Tormek provide are more than adequate to get the job done in most cases.

The main "issue" I have with a Tormek is the fact that I actually really, really enjoy the process of manually hand sharpening knives with stones. There is a certain "zen" to it where you get into the zone and slowly, methodically and perfectly form your edge into magnificence by hand. I know I'm not alone in this.

 

[sranderle]

I decided to stop digging in the rabbit hole, and bought a Hapstone from Gritomatic.

Here is my kit to get me started:

Hapstone R2 Standard
Stoppers (2)
Fine-Tuning Angle Adapter
Scissors module
Venev Ursa stones (6" x 0.6") [100/240, 400/800, 1200/1500]
Klein Angle Guage

After initial sharpening with the full set of stones, where do I jump in to touch up a knife? This will probably be a frequent scenario with my most used kitchen knives.

Thanks for everyone's insight!

 

[777 Edge]

After initial sharpening with the full set of stones, where do I jump in to touch up a knife? This will probably be a frequent scenario with my most used kitchen knives.

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it.

You don't need to use the full set of stones at all, unless you specifically want a polished edge. The F400 leaves a great every day edge even on kitchen knives. Maybe F800 if you want to use the knife for push cutting. Your F1200/F1500 stone really is not necessary for a daily use knife. It's a great stone to have if you want to take a knife to that level of hair splitting but not necessarily a good edge for daily use knives.

Most kitchen knives (other than hard use chopping knives) work well on a 15 degree per side edge (or lower in some cases), so it's worth spending the time on all your knives to reprofile them. Take note that this will take some time, but it's well worth doing and is necessary only once. After that, future maintenance and touchups will be quick - literally only a minute or two per knife (if done regularly).

Once your edge bevel is set and knives are sharp, you can touch them up every few weeks or so with just a few strokes on the F400 and/or the F800 if desired.

Make a note of the angles and clamp position on your knives when you sharpen them, so you can repeat it for touch-ups.