New question for Sharpmaker users

K

Knyfe

Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
8
Do you use the safety rods when using your Sharpmaker?

I bought a 4 rod crock stick sharpener, which uses a 5"x1.5" piece of plastic that sticks up at a 30 degree angle as a safety device. It attaches with a screw, so either I have a rather ungainly shape for storage, or I attach it and remove it each time I use it - a bit of a nuisance. Can I get by without it if I'm careful, or is it more important than I think?

Thanks!
 
Yes. I use the safety rods in the SM. It only takes a second to drop them in the holes. Sure beats the crap out of tourniquets:D
 
I use the rods everytime mostly because they only take a second to install. However, the knife did slip a couple times and it hit one of the rods. The rod actually has a couple little nics in it from the blade. Glad its in the rod and not my finger.
 
Artilary6 said:
I use the rods everytime mostly because they only take a second to install. However, the knife did slip a couple times and it hit one of the rods. The rod actually has a couple little nics in it from the blade. Glad its in the rod and not my finger.
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Deciding whether or not to use the rods is a form of natural selection! :D:D

Those who choose to not use the rods provide employment for paramedics, emergency room personnel, medical examiners, and undertakers!:p:p
 
I pulled the plastic guard off my round rod set about 7 years ago and I haven't used the brass rods on my Sharpmaker for about the same period of time. I have cut myself numerous times sharpening knives, but never on a V-rod system. As long as the rods are long it tends to not be a problem.

What I consider a more common problem is hitting the top of a rod with a nice thin edge and dinging or flattening that edge. I need to find some plastic caps to put on the end of my rods.
 
I'm with Jeff on both counts. I stopped using the rods when I started laying DMT stones on the rod flats to reprofile and never started using them again. (Not having them in makes it easier to hold the stone flat on the rod.)

And I've come down on a corner of a white rod and put a nice scratch up the side of a Tighe custom.:(:foot: Among others.:o Wasn't the happiest day of my life.
 
Jeff Clark said:
What I consider a more common problem is hitting the top of a rod with a nice thin edge and dinging or flattening that edge. I need to find some plastic caps to put on the end of my rods.
Click to expand...

Electrical tape works well.
 
I may try that. I know it irritates me no end when I'm going along real good and suddenly * bam * my last few minutes work gets dinged. :(

It's usually caused by something obvious like the finale of the 1812 Overture kicking in ... :)
 
Knyfe said:
Do you use the safety rods when using your Sharpmaker?

I bought a 4 rod crock stick sharpener, which uses a 5"x1.5" piece of plastic that sticks up at a 30 degree angle as a safety device. It attaches with a screw, so either I have a rather ungainly shape for storage, or I attach it and remove it each time I use it - a bit of a nuisance. Can I get by without it if I'm careful, or is it more important than I think?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


I use the safety rods. Its like asking "Do you wear your seat belt when you drive? " Sure its annoying to take on and take off but for that one time that you need it and don't wear it you are going to wish that you did.
 
Yeah I hit the top of those triangles once in a while to. I usually sharpen so gently though that it doesn't seem to hurt it. If I had a loupe or whatever they are called, I might see the damage and think differently. Hmm....think i might get one.
 
Nope.....

Never cut myself when using the Sharpmaker or my Lansky crock sticks or even come close...

I still feel the best safety device is the one between the ears, ie don't sharpen knives when drinking and keep your eyes on your hands at all times.

Most importantly of all... go nice and slow.
 
Actually, I use a large magnifying glass with a 4" lens mostly. I do have a Widgets 5X but I don't use it for knives. I would recommend at least 10X or 20X.
 
You should have made this a poll...

I don't use the safety rods. But then again I hardly ever use my Sharpmaker any more.
 
I dont use the safety rods, mainly because I have both hands on the knife and use a spring clamp to fasten the Sharpmaker to the table or whatever. I get more even bevels this way and can comfortably do longer knives, like 10" chef's knives and 9" carving knives.
 
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