Has anyone used the Knifemate Guided System from Australia? I am looking for a guided sharpener and the Knifemate looks interesting. I have an assortment of quality sharpening stones and the Knifemate is the only guided system that that I have found that let me use the sharpening stones that I already have.
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Knifemate Guided Sharpening System questions
- Thread starter fl_pugs
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Have you had a look at their videos on their website. These may help you decide if it's what you're after.
Yes, the video I found on YouTube is what got me interested. The video demonstrates the system using a large kitchen knife. I sharpen my kitchen knives freehand without any problems. It is when I get to a small folding knife where the handle is proportionally larger when I get inconsistent results.
A guided system like the Edge Pro or the KME might be more suited for a small folding knife. I was hoping to be able to use the sharpening stones that I already have.
A guided system like the Edge Pro or the KME might be more suited for a small folding knife. I was hoping to be able to use the sharpening stones that I already have.
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I do not own either, and learned freehand a long time ago. As a student of learning, assistive and adaptive learning tools are always worth considering. Are you currently free-handing?
Interesting. As a free hand guide, you can compare it to Gritomatic's guide:
www.gritomatic.com
The Knifemate is a nice bit of engineering, always makes me smile. Thx. I look at the price though and my mind immediately pauses, and I think about buying Diemakers bonded diamond stones instead, for the same scratch.
Interesting. As a free hand guide, you can compare it to Gritomatic's guide:
Hapstone T1 Adjustable Angle Guide for Knives
The market is flooded by $10 Chinese angle guides. They all look the same. And they share the same problems: they damage sharpening stones and they are damaged by sharpening stones. And you cannot choose the angle.Hapstone T1 Adjustable Angle Guide is different. You can set any desirable...
www.gritomatic.com
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So, the kitchen handles give you better edges then small handled knives. Makes sense. Can you clarify what is "inconsistent results" with small knife edges?
Most of my sharpening experience is sharpening straight razors and kitchen knives freehand using whetstones and Jnats.
When it comes to small folding knives, I am able to get a fairly sharp edge, if you gauge a sharp edge by cutting paper, however they do not hold there edge long and I often end up with some scratches further up the blade. The smaller the blade, the harder it is for me to maintain the angle without scratching above the bevel. I have a couple knives in the 2" blade range and to keep a consistent angle is next to impossible for me with my current skill level.
Part of my problem is a lack of confidence when it comes to small folding knives and I am starting to buy more expensive folding knives which further impacts my confidence level.
Yes, I am currently free-handing. Most of my experience is sharpening straight razors and kitchen knives on whetstones and Jnats. The engineering of the Knifemate is one of the selling points that caught my eye however I'm hesitating on the purchase. I am afraid it would not be the best choice for small knives. Over time I have ended up with a small collection quality whetstones, Jnats and strops. At the moment I don't any additional sharpening stones for freehand. I would love to be able to use the stones that I have on small folders. When sharpening a small knife; especially folders, with 2" - 3" blades freehand I tend to have trouble maintaining the bevel angle.I do not own either, and learned freehand a long time ago. As a student of learning, assistive and adaptive learning tools are always worth considering. Are you currently free-handing?
Interesting. As a free hand guide, you can compare it to Gritomatic's guide:
The Knifemate is a nice bit of engineering, always makes me smile. Thx. I look at the price though and my mind immediately pauses, and I think about buying Diemakers bonded diamond stones instead, for the same scratch.Hapstone T1 Adjustable Angle Guide for Knives
The market is flooded by $10 Chinese angle guides. They all look the same. And they share the same problems: they damage sharpening stones and they are damaged by sharpening stones. And you cannot choose the angle.Hapstone T1 Adjustable Angle Guide is different. You can set any desirable...
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I am in Australia and i looked at the Knifemate a while ago, decided it was not suitable for most of my knives, they are pocket knives and too small for this, plus the cost, it ain't cheap.
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Have you seen those little plastic blocks that are made at different angles to get your correct angle, i don't know what they are called. But they come as package of different angles, you set your angle rested against them, then sharpen, you still have to keep the angle, but they may help you use the stones you have. They are really cheap, they look like they would be very suitable for pocket knives.
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Google sharpening guides, the big river and the inlet of water have them.
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Have a look on youtube, a bloke called Jeff Jewell has just done a video on the Hapstone T1, might be useful for you.
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Love some walnut, though wedge's might be more of a hindrance then a help with your 2-3" blades? Maybe a larger right triangle cut to your perferred degrees set aganst end of stone, as a visual set or start position ala Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener.
Wonder if using one hand on razors led you to continue using one hand sharpening freehand?
Fingers of second off-hand near the spine on thick portion of blade will give best control. Set up your phone camera so stone, small knife and both hands are in field of view and shoot a 1 minute video for more feedback.
scottc3, thanks for the advice. I do place my off-hand behind the bevel of the blade when sharpening straight razors and kitchen knives. Years ago I purchased several knives and Gesshin sharpening stones from Jon @ Japanese Knife Imports. He has several YouTube videos on sharpening and that is pretty much what I follow for my knives. I know I need to work on my skills. I haven't been sharpening much recently and I want to get back into the game. Sharpening freehand is fun; mastering the skill and to efficiently sharpen any knife you have in your hand regardless on type or size of the knife, the type of bevel(s) or the blade steel is an art form. I doubt I will ever reach the level of mastering the skill but the more I freehand, the better my skills will get; and it's fun.
I have decided to get the TSProf Kadet as my guided sharpening system. I plan on using the Kadet to sharpen my knives; it should be easier to set a proper a bevel with a guided system. And then after the bevels set, practicing freehand should be less frustrating and the learning curve should move along a little faster.
I have decided to get the TSProf Kadet as my guided sharpening system. I plan on using the Kadet to sharpen my knives; it should be easier to set a proper a bevel with a guided system. And then after the bevels set, practicing freehand should be less frustrating and the learning curve should move along a little faster.