Lanky 4-Rod Turn Box mod

[wildboar11]

I bought one of these fairly recently and have been able to get a few small EDC pocket knives reasonably sharp.

I wanted to get the knives sharper so I came up with a new mod using lapping film (3M).

Paper/grit:

12 Micron (yellow) - 1200 grit
9 Micron (Sky-Blue) - 1800 grit
3 Micron (Pink) - 8000 grit

Method:

Cut two narrow oblong strips and stick them to the rods, taking care that the paper doesn't overlap on either side of the rods.

Sharpen the knife as normal.

Results:

Fairly good so far, much sharper knives.

 

[cudgee]

I bought one of these fairly recently and have been able to get a few small EDC pocket knives reasonably sharp.

I wanted to get the knives sharper so I came up with a new mod using lapping film (3M).

Paper/grit:

12 Micron (yellow) - 1200 grit
9 Micron (Sky-Blue) - 1800 grit
3 Micron (Pink) - 8000 grit

Method:

Cut two narrow oblong strips and stick them to the rods, taking care that the paper doesn't overlap on either side of the rods.

Sharpen the knife as normal.

Results:

Fairly good so far, much sharper knives.

Don't want to cut your lunch my friend, but i can improve on what you are doing. Buy some dowel the same diameter as the rods, file one side so it is flat, then attach your oblong strips, you can cut several pieces of dowel so that these are permanent fixtures in you sharpening kit, just colour code each different micron/grit.

 

[wildboar11]

Don't want to cut your lunch my friend, but i can improve on what you are doing. Buy some dowel the same diameter as the rods, file one side so it is flat, then attach your oblong strips, you can cut several pieces of dowel so that these are permanent fixtures in you sharpening kit, just colour code each different micron/grit.

Thanks so much - lateral thinking.

I was thinking about tweaks to the system including the possibility of getting a metal version of the turn box precision engineered with 14/17/20/22/25 angles.

A bit of a pipe dream, I think, given the probable expense beyond trying to find someone with the tools/expertise to do it.

Will do as you suggest, good idea. No slight wobble either, which is a feature of the system though I don't think it affects result, unless it's too bad.

I sharpened a GEC on it to a sharp edge. Started with an A Wright knife, which is a cheap work knife, which had a terrible grind as a starter.

 

[cudgee]

Thanks so much - lateral thinking.

No worries, i have done this with my Turn-box. Works a treat.

was thinking about tweaks to the system including the possibility of getting a metal version of the turn box precision engineered with 14/17/20/22/25 angles.

As you said, would be too expensive, you would be better off just buying a high quality sharpening system.

. Started with an A Wright knife, which is a cheap work knife, which had a terrible grind as a starter.

I have plenty of A Wright knives, you can get low grit rods from another supplier, because of sponsor rules i don't think i can mention them. But they are having a sale at the moment, and have a better version of the Turn Box at a really good price. But back on course, with the Wright's knives, work one side only till you get a burr, just down strokes or up and down, it's up to you. Then flip over and repeat, this will even out the factory bevel. But much easier if you get the lower grit rods. It is an all American Company, this may help you find them online.

 

[willc]

Thanks so much - lateral thinking.

I was thinking about tweaks to the system including the possibility of getting a metal version of the turn box precision engineered with 14/17/20/22/25 angles.

A bit of a pipe dream, I think, given the probable expense beyond trying to find someone with the tools/expertise to do it.

Will do as you suggest, good idea. No slight wobble either, which is a feature of the system though I don't think it affects result, unless it's too bad.

I sharpened a GEC on it to a sharp edge. Started with an A Wright knife, which is a cheap work knife, which had a terrible grind as a starter.

You probably could do this with a decent chunk of hardwood.
Even my small Delta drill press has a table that can angle.

You would need to do a few test plunges to ensure accuracy but this would be a very inexpensive jig system.

I also have an assortment of various sized wood dowels with diamond compounds but I use them freehand mostly for recurve blades and serrations.

 

[wildboar11]

Thanks for the tips, will investigate/track down rods/turn box and experiment with different sharpening methods.

Had some luck correcting the grind on an A Wright knife, which was bit uneven and wobbly. Another one is simply terrible, blade is nowhere near straight or flat when resting on a flat surface. Looks like they ground the centre of the knife too much and slightly dished it. Still, it was under £20.

 

[kreisler]

stick film to the rods and then manual stropping?

i bought wood rods (hardware store, craftstore) and applied compound

i didn't get perfect results wiv manual stropping on film