THis is the last e-mail I received from Handamerican folks. THis system looks great especially for you convex grind guys. Is this the first/only one on the market specifically designed for that type of edge? Anyway I like what I hear, and am a big fan of this company in the first place so... Very nice folks. For whatever reason they choose not to post here? Let's see what happens when this deal comes out. E-mail is below:
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Subject: Re: new stuff
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 07:43:17 -0400
From: keith <degrau@handamerican.com>
To:
Jcarnes@optonline.net
References: 1
Hi Joe,
This is a comprehensive sharpening/finish honing system that provides approx. 25 different grits of wet/dry silicon carbide papers ranging from 150-12,000. The papers are loaded onto a Corian work base/plate that weighs over 3 pounds and is dishwasher safe. The papers are loaded in such a way that they either lay completly flat on a Corian work plate or over a flexible canvas pad.The plates are held securely with a locking mechanism we developed. When working on blades such as plane irons and certain knives the flat plate is used, when working on blades with convex surfaces the canvas pad is used. We also provide a plate that features two types of honing leather, one on each side of the plate. One leather would be used with a compound, the other is our version of Russian/German red leather and is used alone.
We will be offering two sizes, one 3"X10" for knives and tool irons, the other 1-1/2"X9" for small knives and carving tools.
I'm working on an intro price now which will include one of our smooth/micro grooved steels.
I've been at this for 10 years ( we're in our anniversary year), I developed this specifically to deal with the problems associated with maintaining the integrity of convex faced blades, and/or blades such as Busse with asymetrical shapes.The difference between a blade that has had the entire face evenly honed from the spine to a razor edge, and one that has only had the edge sharpened and honed is extraordinary. Working just the edge is contrary to the design of most knives, as the edge depends upon the overall shape of the blade for strength and for it to perform
properly.
Now, the reason for the hold up is we are trying to avoid including chromium oxide with the unit for use on the leather as it can be messy. We have found a fine silicon carbide suspended in a non wax, non oil medium that seems to work perfectly. I'm pretty sure we're going with this and will have the details worked out in a day or so.
Thanks for your interest - hope this helps, I'm sure when you see the entire design you'll be pleased.
Best,
Keith De'Grau
