Sharpmaker Diamond Sleeves

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Islander72

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
58
I remember a couple years back seeing an accessory for the Sharpmaker. It was a diamond sleeve that you can slip on over the stones of the sharpmaker. I no longer see it being advertise on any knife catalog. What ever happened to it?
 
The diamond sleeves were discontinued a few years ago. Spyderco is working on developing a new diamond stone for the sharpmaker but they aren't ready yet.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
1-800-400-1980
("Have a knife day!")
wrightknife@ixpres.com
 
Is there an ETA for these? I'm sure that Sal will post something here as an announcement when they are actually ready. From what I have heard, there is a lot of interest for these and I am sure that they will sell like hotcakes.

-Steven
 
Yep. As soon as they come out, I am buying several to give as gifts to my ignorant sot friends who refuse to learn how to sharpen a knife freehand.
 
Anyone know how the sleeves are going? They are still in the works, right?

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
I take it that the good news is that Spyderco still plans on producing the sleeves, for which many of us are anxious. The bad news seems to be that they do not appear to be anywhere close to production. In other words Spyderco does not seem to have anyone contracted to produce them or be ready to do it in house. I HOPE I AM WRONG REGARDING THE BAD NEWS PART !!! ?????

Gatco Tri-Seps comes in a diamond version now. It is a 320 mesh or medium mesh. I did try leaning it up against my Sharpmaker 204 ceramic elements. I wonder if it would fit in the Sharpmaker if one removed the rubber endcaps? It appears to be a solid core triangular element and weighs about 2.4 oz.

I like the idea of the built in angles on the Tri-Seps, but 45 degrees seems to be a pretty useless. Twenty degrees, or so, would be a lot more useful in keeping a useful angle while sharpening. The ceramic version feels vitually identical to the medium Sharpmaker element, is also 800 grit, and weighs 1.2 oz.

Could Spyderco obtain longer ones from GATCO for the Sharpmaker? The shape is different, but useful. If they did not fit exactly, it would only take some adapters, not ideal perhaps, but better than no diamond elements.

Still hoping for those diamond sharpmaker sleeves, or separate elements!!
biggrin.gif
 
Donald - We're still hunting various parts. The last diamond we tested seemed to stick very well. Most of the diamonds we've tested don't hold up well to Spyderco steels when used in the triangle sharpmaker. One ends up with a little pile of diamonds and unhappy customers.

Gatco's little ceramic stone is half of a ceramic triangle.

We'll be coming put with a half Profile (4") next year.

sal
 
BTTT

I have seen posts in other Forums about Diamond Rods for the 204 coming soon.

What is the latest?

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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
Hi Sal,

Are we talking days, weeks, or months, for the diamond sleeve wait (for the Sharpmaker 204)?

Any other details on the "half Profile (4") next year?" Early, Mid, or Late in 2001? Will it have protective end caps?, and if so will they be at a 20 degree angle versus the not very useful 45 degree angle, or none at all, of other makers? Is the 4" the usable sharpening surface I hope. That would place it right between the 5" Spyderco double stuff and the Dog Bone or Tri-Ceps style ones. The 3" is nice and portable and strong, but 4" would allow a more flexibility in sharpening, i.e., keep my fingers further away from those sharp large blades!!

Assuming one does not drop the Spyderco Double Stuff and it is in the case, how strong is it if it is in a fanny pack or similar kit with other travel/survival items. Is it very likely to snap if you push it, e.g., while packing stuff or leaning up against something with the fanny pack on? I guess if I put gloves on and held it and tried to bend/snap it I would get my answer, but then I might not need the answer need the answer.

Thanks for any info.

Donald.
 
Hi Donald. The Diamond triangles are still in the works. I'd like to keep shooting for the triangle over the sleeves, at least for a while longer. The part (triangle) is more difficult to make in steel than one would imagine (close tolerance). We're waiting on response from someone now. If it turns out to be too difficult for production (at this time), we'll make sleeves.

The 4" Outdoor Profile has no caps. You'll have to go through the learning curve (if not already done) of learning to sharpen a blade by hand. It is an interesting lesson, and worth the time spent, IMO.

Comes in a split leather case, carries easily, the variety of countours makes the ProFile very effective in hand use. Far more so than the triangle shape.

When we can make the diamond triangle, we'll follow up with a diamond Profile.

4" is about as small as I'd go. It carries lightly, permits both grits on the go. No caps saves on bulk, costs and permits access to the sharp edge of the abrasive. As a portable abrasive, alumina ceramic is useful. It will cut just about any hard material, including glass.

sal
 
Sal,

Thank you for the information. I look forward to getting all three new products. The diamond triangle sounds great.

I had just said sleeves because I remember past comments, and rereading the above thread, I did not know there was a distinction until your last post, above. A diamond triangle of diamonds over steel sounds even better, as it could potentially have more uses.
 
Sal,

Have you considered having the diamonds embedded in a coarse Ceramic base like the grey stones?

The only reason I ask is that the Ceramic might hold the diamonds better than Steel and you have already proven the ability to get the Ceramic to meet tolerances.



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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
BTTT

Sal,

I would really love to hear more about the Diamond Triangles.

Do you know if anyone has investigated bases other than metal for a Diamond Sharpener?

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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
I'm supposed to get more info in several days.

The problem is making a hollow steel triangle. A solid one would add a great deal of uneccesary weight to the set.

BTW, Spyderco steels are VERY hard on diamonds. most do not stick well against our steels.

Ceramic is cooked at temperatures too high for diamonds to withstand.

sal
 
This may be a bit OT but is 35 bucks a good price on the 204 sharpmaker? I just got one and all I can say so far is WOW!, got my dad's old delica from dull to scary-sharp (scared him anyway)in no time.
 
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