LeadingEdge V-Sharpener for any 6 inch stones - Sneak peek

[777 Edge]

A small clamp or a large rubber band will hold the angle cube.

No need for any clamp or magnetic surface, I've been using it a lot over the last few days to test and its very easy just to hold the angle cube against the stone with one hand, while adjusting the angle with the other hand. Easy as pie.

 

[777 Edge]

Yes, I know. That's what I meant by the reference point.

I thought about using the base as the reference (or zeroing) surface but I was not sure if it will stand straight as the knobs seems to might interfere with the base standing straight up.

I just tried another spot for the angle cube, and it works even better on top of the stone tightening knob (at the very top of the stone holders). This is now my preferred spot to place the angle cube. (Pic below)

If anyone prefers a magnetic platform, this same spot (top of the stone clamp tightening knob) would be a great place to glue a mild steel washer onto for your angle cube. That being said, it's easy enough to hold it with one hand while adjusting the angle with the other hand, so a magnetic surface is not a necessity at all.

 

[murat1983]

I just tried another spot for the angle cube, and it works even better on top of the stone tightening knob too (at the very top of the stone holders). This is now my preferred spot to place the angle cube. (Pic below)

If anyone prefers a magnetic platform, this same spot (top of the stone clamp tightening knob) would be a great place to glue a mild steel washer onto for your angle cube. That being said, it's easy enough to hold it with one hand while adjusting the angle with the other hand, so a magnetic surface is not a necessity at all.

View attachment 1893889

If that is where you are measuring the angle, then where is the reference point (i.e. the surface you zero your cube).

 

[777 Edge]

If that is where you are measuring the angle, then where is the reference point (i.e. the surface you zero your cube).

The zero reference point can be either the sharpener platform (which will be a lot bigger than the one in the photos - the one in the photos is merely my small test platform), or the actual surface of the table you've placed the sharpener on.

The measure point can be on the top of the stone holder adjust knob (like in my pic above using the bottom of the angle cube), or on the stone itself (in the last scenario, using the side of the angle cube).

 

[murat1983]

The zero reference point can be either the sharpener platform (which will be a lot bigger than the one in the photos - the one in the photos is merely my small test platform), or the actual surface of the table you've placed the sharpener on.

The measure point can be on the top of the stone holder adjust knob (like in my pic above using the bottom of the angle cube), or on the stone itself (in the last scenario, using the side of the angle cube).

Yes, I thought of the second scenario as a default in my head. That's why I thought you could use bottom of the sharpener if you put it on the table vertically but the knobs might prevent the sharpener from standing straight.

 

[scottc3]

The base itself will be large enough and will be your zero reference point. I'm looking at making a few slots in the base for an angle cube and a couple stones or something. Rather than just using the base as a platform, I'm thinking it should be used as a stowage area too.

Sweet, I was thinking of fitting kydex or HDPE to carry n stow friends v-rod kit, and our sharpmaker kits that are "growing legs" with all the parts:-'0

 

[scottc3]

Forgot to mention. in 1st pic the top left sprung stone holder seems canted at the bottom in relation to stone holder ... tower, if binding is an issue you could introduce a key slot for movement.

 

[comis]

Been looking for something like this for the longest time, hopefully will get to buy one from gritomatic. Btw, if there is a future version for larger size/thicker stone, that'd also be great too!

 

[777 Edge]

Yes, I thought of the second scenario as a default in my head. That's why I thought you could use bottom of the sharpener if you put it on the table vertically but the knobs might prevent the sharpener from standing straight.

The knobs do not interfere at all.

Forgot to mention. in 1st pic the top left sprung stone holder seems canted at the bottom in relation to stone holder ... tower, if binding is an issue you could introduce a key slot for movement.

No, it must just be an optical illusion in the pic, it's not canted and there are no binding issues.

Been looking for something like this for the longest time, hopefully will get to buy one from gritomatic. Btw, if there is a future version for larger size/thicker stone, that'd also be great too!

If demand is high, I'll definitely consider making one for big bench stones in future.

 

[Blues]

 

[scottc3]

Blues, I was thinking of the same scene as I contemplated 777Edge's PLA 3D sharpener... then drifted to other scenes with no relevance here... then back on track utubing how to carry these kits with fitted kydex or recycled hdpe.

 

[TylerG12]

I'd definitely buy one. I have way better luck with this type of sharpening than I do with just a regular stone.

 

[Blade Lab]

Seems like you should be able to incorporate a built-in angle scale in a system like this.

https://i0.wp.com/www.diktatorgrinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Angle-Grind-Guide-Adjust.jpg

 

[scottc3]

Seems like you should be able to incorporate a built-in angle scale in a system like this.

I have always been drawn to elegantly simple engineered solutions. Using Duckduckgo-fu. I found a magnetic 4.724' long x 1.574" "RV" bubble level with an arc of 40 degrees, 20 each side of zero, inscribed at one half a degree, with the bubble spanning 1.5 degrees. Obviously too big for re-purposing for this application, but it's the first time I have run across a bubble level measuring more then 5 degrees total. I mean instant visual level and quick angle finding on board for life, no batts required.

 

[Blade Lab]

I have always been drawn to elegantly simple engineered solutions. Using Duckduckgo-fu. I found a magnetic 4.724' long x 1.574" "RV" bubble level with an arc of 40 degrees, 20 each side of zero, inscribed at one half a degree, with the bubble spanning 1.5 degrees. Obviously too big for re-purposing for this application, but it's the first time I have run across a bubble level measuring more then 5 degrees total. I mean instant visual level and quick angle finding on board for life, no batts required.

Nice! Want to hear something weird? My wife has a collection of miniature levels. Can't do a blessed thing with them. She just has a thing for them.

 

[777 Edge]

Some slight modifications and additions to the design.

I made the angle adjusting nuts a little bigger, wider hinge points under the stones for more stability and I added some very long adjustable stone holders as an optional extra for the 6 inch holders.

These holders can take stones from 5 3/4 to 8 3/4 inches long, including some bench stones up to approximately 3/4 inch thick. It's not really meant to take honking big bench stones, but many will work.

Using a digital angle cube is best, or sharpee on the edge of you want to match the original edge angle. That being said, I am working on a simple but reliable optional mechanical angle gauge too.

 

[comis]

Some slight modifications and additions to the design.

I made the angle adjusting nuts a little bigger, wider hinge points under the stones for more stability and I added some very long adjustable stone holders as an optional extra for the 6 inch holders.

These holders can take stones from 5 3/4 to 8 3/4 inches long, including some bench stones up to approximately 3/4 inch thick. It's not really meant to take honking big bench stones, but many will work.

Using a digital angle cube is best, or sharpee on the edge of you want to match the original edge angle. That being said, I am working on a simple but reliable optional mechanical angle gauge too.

View attachment 1903275

Thanks very much for the update, the long adjustable stone holder looks great. Personally, I value the integrity of the whole build with no/minimum slack as being one of the more important features being a good sharpener, and this is looking promising!

 

[777 Edge]

Thanks very much for the update, the long adjustable stone holder looks great. Personally, I value the integrity of the whole build with no/minimum slack as being one of the more important features being a good sharpener, and this is looking promising!

It's very stable and secure but note that there will always be a bit of flex if too much pressure is used, as with any system. But the level of ham-handed pressure where it flexes too much will also likely cause edge damage during sharpening.

I've now re-profiled 10 or so knives and touched up plenty more with this system and all works perfectly.

One thing with any V-sharpener that needs to be understood, is that it still takes a little bit of muscle memory and skill. It's not as fool proof as a fixed angle sharpener with the knife in a clamped system, so holding the knife level and making sure to cover the entire edge from heel to tip will still be a required skill to develop.

Also worth noting, is that using stones with oil work better than water on a V system because the water runs down and evaporates fairly quickly. I am typically a soapy-water-on-all-my-stones kind of guy, and soapy water still works just fine on this system but oil sits better with gravity in a system like this.

If you prefer water, it's no problem at all because there are no metal parts that can rust. Lots of frequent water running down the stones won't do any harm to the system.

 

[777 Edge]

Seems like you should be able to incorporate a built-in angle scale in a system like this.

https://i0.wp.com/www.diktatorgrinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Angle-Grind-Guide-Adjust.jpg

First trial of the angle scale that I'll incorporate on the side. This is just the first test to check working and action. I'll post another photo with a more refined guide when I'm done.

The marks will be in 5 degree increments along the top and bottom of the angle scale guide. Top lines will be 5-35 degree notches. Bottom lines will be 7.5-32.5 degree notches.

 

[scottc3]

gotta say this looks sweet. I'd like to see resolution of angle higher then 5, 1 degree would be great, 2 or 3 degrees would let hands know how system and pressure limits were? Any idea what gritomatic's time to market is? Thx for extending out length of stone. REALLY useful for building SIC stone set for s30v and below, With maybe a coarse diamond hone to start reprofile, like AG Russel n Ron at KME do.