Sharpmaker with ANY ANGLE

I wouldnt make the parts adjustable, I would just 3d print them in different angle setups. I would be interested in one at 17.5 degrees.
 
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I also would really like the option of having at least one more sharpening angle. I experimented once by alternately propping one end up and then the other a bit so that I could achieve less than 15 degrees. Problem for me is that I clamp my Sharpmaker down to my work surface allowing me to use both hands to control my strokes minimizing tip slip and vertical wobble. Also I can eliminate the brass safety rods. But no way will I frustrate myself in having to remove and reposition the clamp and prop block each time I work the other side of the blade…insane.

What would work perfect for how I use the SM, would be have a second housing minus the rods (I have a full set); butt the two housings up to each other and clamp the center where the two meet while propping up both ends. Voila! No repositioning; still use both hands for stabilizing.

Smoke dream, I know because I’m not kicking for another SM just to satisfy that “sharp fetish.” At least I don't think I will.:)
 
I'd certainly be interested in an adjustable, or even a "set" of blocks that could do various angles. In fact I gave my GF my old single slot sharpmaker and I steal it back once and awhile because if I remember right it's 45 degrees and there's some factory knives I don't feel like re-profiling that it hits the edge on that my newer one won't. Each block could be rotated 180 degrees so you could get away with 2 pair to get +- 2 and 4 degrees. That would give you 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 degrees inclusive.

That's one thing that's always bugged me is how many knife companies make such large inclusive angles on their blades. Even in high end blades I'd be willing to bet 75% of them the 40 degree sharpmaker slot does not even hit the whole edge, and it's not just a microbevel most of the time it's hitting the shoulder before the edge grind even starts. Meaning I do a lot of re-profiling. I don't think that many people are chopping with their folding knives that they need such steep angles, perhaps it helps keep the blade damage down from people that don't sharpen knives.
 
I also would really like the option of having at least one more sharpening angle. I experimented once by alternately propping one end up and then the other a bit so that I could achieve less than 15 degrees. Problem for me is that I clamp my Sharpmaker down to my work surface allowing me to use both hands to control my strokes minimizing tip slip and vertical wobble. Also I can eliminate the brass safety rods. But no way will I frustrate myself in having to remove and reposition the clamp and prop block each time I work the other side of the blade…insane.

What would work perfect for how I use the SM, would be have a second housing minus the rods (I have a full set); butt the two housings up to each other and clamp the center where the two meet while propping up both ends. Voila! No repositioning; still use both hands for stabilizing.

Smoke dream, I know because I’m not kicking for another SM just to satisfy that “sharp fetish.” At least I don't think I will.:)

Sorry for the crappy pic but this is how I use my SM these days since I mostly have 14 dps bevels and touch up with this setup which will produce around an 18 dps microbevel. Quite a noticeable improvement between 20dps and 18dps microbevel.

sharpmakerwithrubberban.jpg
 
OP.

You put to much thought into it.

I have a 20yr old SM with one angle on it.

It has never failed me. Always works.
Is DEAD KISS near perfection.

That is why I like it
 
OP.

You put to much thought into it.

I have a 20yr old SM with one angle on it.

It has never failed me. Always works.
Is DEAD KISS near perfection.

That is why I like it

You see, I like cholocate cake. Always did. It's been 20 years I eat it whenever I can. It has never failed me. Always works. Is DEAD KISS near perfection.

But that does not mean I will ONLY eat chocolate cake forever. If the same bakery cooks an awesome vanilla cake, I'll try it for sure! :)

I love the Spyderco SM. I use it almost daily. I think, however, that there is always room for improvement in everything in live. And that's a good thing. Try do get better always: that's not a bad goal IMHO.

Reading the replies, I feel that I am not alone in the idea of wanting a "multiple angle" sharpmaker. And, in this very thread, people posted some cool home made ideas of how to do something like that. If it would be viable with a small piece (or set of pieces), why not? Of course, as Sal said, there are many variables involved... But we are talking about Spyderco. What can't they do? :D
 
As someone with a some machining & tool-building experience, the polar serrations on the adjustable "gooseneck" (for lack of a better word) would probably be fragile if made in 1° increments.

Here's my suggestion -- widen the base to accommodate an extra row of holes in the top with different angles.

I don't own a Sharp Maker, but have used a friends -- without a doubt, it is a well-designed, good-working system.
 
Great idea, and the drawing was cool. I'd definitely be interested in an additional piece that allows for more angle options, especially a 17 degree angle (many Japanese kitchen knives are this angle). Make one and I will buy it. :)
 
Just make an adapter that fits into the triangle holes that is molded to a different angle. So it fits in the current triangle rod hole but was make to a different angle setting to change the angle from say 20 degrees to 1i.5 or 22.5 degrees.
 
Another idea might be to allow the base of the rods to slide but have a fixed rod support point. A scale could be put on the base to indicate angle and it would be infinitely adjustable. If you put the tracks next to each other so the blocks could slide past each other the base could be made quite a bit shorter. As the blocks move closer to the supports the inclusive angle is reduced and as the blocks get closer to each other it gets larger. Support height would dictate max/min angles or at least the amount of block movement to change X degrees.

Forgive the horrible drawing. The red lines are the rods, the other vertical lines would be non-moving supports that the rods would pivot on. The black blocks would slide back and forth and be able to be tightened in place. The only complicated bit would be the rods would need to pivot in the blocks.

sharpener.jpg
 
As someone with a some machining & tool-building experience, the polar serrations on the adjustable "gooseneck" (for lack of a better word) would probably be fragile if made in 1° increments.

Here's my suggestion -- widen the base to accommodate an extra row of holes in the top with different angles.

I don't own a Sharp Maker, but have used a friends -- without a doubt, it is a well-designed, good-working system.

Yeah, this is probably the simplest and most practical solution. You could probably even do it without widening the base much. Just put some 25 degree holes right next to the 30's and some 35 degree holes right next to the 40's. Giving 1/2 degree (or even 1 degree) increments is kind of excessive. I would think with a 25, 30, 35 and 40 setting that would satisfy just about anyone's sharpening needs. Would be a simple design change with no additional parts.
 
Another idea might be to allow the base of the rods to slide but have a fixed rod support point. A scale could be put on the base to indicate angle and it would be infinitely adjustable. If you put the tracks next to each other so the blocks could slide past each other the base could be made quite a bit shorter. As the blocks move closer to the supports the inclusive angle is reduced and as the blocks get closer to each other it gets larger. Support height would dictate max/min angles or at least the amount of block movement to change X degrees.

Forgive the horrible drawing. The red lines are the rods, the other vertical lines would be non-moving supports that the rods would pivot on. The black blocks would slide back and forth and be able to be tightened in place. The only complicated bit would be the rods would need to pivot in the blocks.

View attachment 465327

I like your idea a lot!

The only downside is that the curret SM project would be history... Maybe Spyderco would not be willing to rebuild it from scratch. But if they would, your idea seems to be a great path to go!
 
:encouragement:
You see, I like cholocate cake. Always did. It's been 20 years I eat it whenever I can. It has never failed me. Always works. Is DEAD KISS near perfection.

But that does not mean I will ONLY eat chocolate cake forever. If the same bakery cooks an awesome vanilla cake, I'll try it for sure! :)

I love the Spyderco SM. I use it almost daily. I think, however, that there is always room for improvement in everything in live. And that's a good thing. Try do get better always: that's not a bad goal IMHO.

Reading the replies, I feel that I am not alone in the idea of wanting a "multiple angle" sharpmaker. And, in this very thread, people posted some cool home made ideas of how to do something like that. If it would be viable with a small piece (or set of pieces), why not? Of course, as Sal said, there are many variables involved... But we are talking about Spyderco. What can't they do? :D

Bravo! No need to stick with only chocolate cake when there are other great tasting options out there. I guess we'll just have to think about it.
 
Your sliding base is a good idea. The only drawback I see is the swarf falling on your adjustment parts.
 
I own several Sharpmakers but built an adjustable model that holds bigger stones. I made the turnbuckles out of tie rod ends and the clevises out of split 1"X3" box channel. I can adjust the angle to 1/10 degree using an angle cube.View attachment 464861
I own several Sharpmakers but built an adjustable model that holds bigger stones. I made the turnbuckles out of tie rod ends and the clevises out of split 1"X3" box channel. I can adjust the angle to 1/10 degree using an angle cube.View attachment 464861

Hi. Just came across this thread and wondered if you could repost the attachment showing your adjustable model. I'm looking to build one that's variable, and your set up sounds like its in the ballpark of what I'm trying to do. I tried to private message you, but discovered that that's only an option if you're a paid member. On some other forums replying to a members post registers under the writers alerts, so hopefully this works.
 
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