Sharpmaker needs (IMHO)

Ben Dover

Ben Dover

Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
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Wouldn't it be wonderful if Spyderco offered an optional extra base with slots for 40,30,20, and 15 degrees? More choices are always a good thing.

Along with the diamond rods, this would be great for re-profiling to a thinner edge.

Also, the "extra" base could remain screwed down to my workbench, while the standard base went with me to the field.

A set of optional coarse, or even XX coarse diamond rods would be a wonderful thing as well.

IMHO, the Sharpmaker is one of the greatest sharpening ideas ever. But it's too basic at present. Some more flexibility needs to be offered as options!

Just my 2 cents worth. What do the rest of you think????
 
Wouldn't be bad, but I think it would significantly raise the cost
($50 is quite a lot already imho, and I think the price is VERY important for utility things (sharpeners are just utility, nothing more, nothing less)

(BTW I personally think best combo would be $30 coarse or medium DMT benchstone, $30 medium $30 fine and $45 ultra fine spyderco benchstones BUT it sums $135, and that is way more than I am willing to spend :(
 
Huugh,

I was eferring to OPTIONS, not the basic unit. Of course they would cost a bit, but to me, at least, they would be well worth it.
 
Ben Dover said:
Huugh,

I was eferring to OPTIONS, not the basic unit. Of course they would cost a bit, but to me, at least, they would be well worth it.
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If it were sold as an upgrade like the ultrafine stones it would be ideal.
 
A great idea. I would buy one. I also like the idea of more options for the rods.

If it is an optional base, it could be made with only the 20 & 15 slots.

Would it be practical to make it with one set of adjustable slots instead of multiple sets of slots at different angles? (Probably not is my guess, but I like the idea.)
 
I would be happy with a base with just the 15 and 20 degree slots in it (perhaps molded in a different color?) since I already have one with the 30 and 40. It could be molded just like the existing one (aside from the slots), and then I could use it to store my UF and diamond rods.
 
I like most all of the ideas presented...especially the xx coarse rod thing. It takes forever to thin out a thick bevel on it. (thankfully I have an eze-sharp to do that, but the sharpmaker xx coarse rods do seem a really good idea anyway)
 
guyfalks said:
Would it be practical to make it with one set of adjustable slots instead of multiple sets of slots at different angles? (Probably not is my guess, but I like the idea.)
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I dunno if it would be practical, but it sure would be nice if it was. WOW!!! ANY angle, and/or backangle you wanted. That would be truly awesome!
 
I think an optional new base with different angles would be great!
I also think slightly coarser diamond rods would complement the set very well.
 
Antoher vote for the Extracoarse rods (diamond or not) and the new base with more angles. I think that's the only I'd change in the Sharprmaker.
 
To economize, the new diamond rods could be made like the old speed sleeves. Why not XXC,XC,C,F,XF?
 
guyfalks said:
To economize, the new diamond rods could be made like the old speed sleeves. Why not XXC,XC,C,F,XF?
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Honestly if they kept it down to 2 more sets of stones like XC and XF they could sell a second sharpmaker with 2 more angles that came stock with both sets of rods.

So youd have a standard 204 which comes equiped with medium and fine stones which set into 30 and 40 degree slots.

Then you could also get a second kit, say the 205, which comes equiped with diamond and ultra fine stones which set into 15 and 20 degree slots.

This way you would have four sets of stones that all fit one of four preset angles and store in one of two bases. Everything folds up nicely for storage too.
 
I say the only thing we need is 2 small pieces of plastic. They would be half solid triangle bases that fit into the existing slots, and the other half would mirror the slots of the SM, except they would have a 5 degree cant. Insert them, and you just changed your 30 to a 20. Of course, sticking them in the 40 would just make another 30. Going down to 7.5 per side seems a bit much, but those could be made as well. Heck, any company that molds plastic could make them, Sal wouldn't have to do it himself, might not be worth it for new molds.

Coarser stones would be nice, but really you don't need a guide system for that kind of work.
 
I think Ben truly has a great idea. To sell them as extra modifications to the basic unit would be an excellent idea. Also by having more angle selections would make the unit more desirable to woodworkers and possibly other markets as well.

Also I would like to add that they should offer some type of a case in which you could put all of the extra add-ons so if you were to travel, move or take your work elsewhere then you would have everything organized. Ben I definitely think that your heart is truly in the right place. Your thinking is really in line with what a lot of us steel junkies and sharpening-heads have been thinking about for some time but just didn't go as far as present the idea like you did.

By making the 204 Sharpmaker available and useful to other trades would sure make the Spyderco knives much more well known too. I can't hardly believe all the people I talk to and I very rarely run into many guys who have heard of Spyderco. And these guys are guys who are in to using knives :confused: . This idea would certainly be a huge step in the right direction. JD Spydo
 
Thanks, JD. I just hope that someone from Spyderco reads this forum and also thinks it's a good idea.:D
 
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