The GAUNTLET Sharpening System? WHEN??

I'm not quite sure I get this one. I assumed it was going to be cheaper than the sharpmaker when I first saw it, but it looks like it's actually going to be more expensive. What's the reason for choosing this when the sharpmaker gives you more options and is portable?
 
GlockMonkey said:
I'm not quite sure I get this one. I assumed it was going to be cheaper than the sharpmaker when I first saw it, but it looks like it's actually going to be more expensive. What's the reason for choosing this when the sharpmaker gives you more options and is portable?
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My thoughts exactly.
 
GlockMonkey said:
I'm not quite sure I get this one. I assumed it was going to be cheaper than the sharpmaker when I first saw it, but it looks like it's actually going to be more expensive. What's the reason for choosing this when the sharpmaker gives you more options and is portable?
Click to expand...

When I first learned about it, I was worried that the Sharpmaker would be discontinued after the Gauntlet is released but there really is no comparison between the 2. I read a comment made by Sal over a year ago in the Spyderco Forum where he said that the Gauntlet is designed mainly for "kitchen use by the general market" and, as a result, is not intended to supplant the Sharpmaker.

However, if so, I too am puzzled why the Gauntlet (most notably the Premium) is priced w/in the same range as the Sharpmaker. I believe, based on what Sal also said previously, the cost of making the rods for the Gauntlet (which are oval or elliptical, I believe) is part of the reason.

However, even for a novice, if given the choice between the more versatile Sharpmaker and the more limited Gauntlet for basically the same price, I think the choice would be obvious and, unless a greater pricing distinction is created, it will be the Gauntlet that eventually will be discontinued due to the lack of sufficient demand for it.
 
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Trusting my memory here. Sal had said it was for industrial applications; so I'd guess commercial kitchens and restaurants?

In that world they won't be fussing with back bevels and the like. That's probably the same reason the hand guard is permanently attached. If it was "optional" like the rods someone would chop their hand off and then sue because why not?

I'd guess it's the result of customers and potential customers coming to Spyderco and saying "why don't you make one of these" and then measuring it against what other sharpening fixtures you'd find in a place like that.
 
Danke42 said:
Trusting my memory here. Sal had said it was for industrial applications; so I'd guess commercial kitchens and restaurants?
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There's a different one called the Gauntlet V, I believe, which is designed for commercial use which my guess would be even more expensive than the Gauntlet Premium designed for the general market.
 
Barman1 said:
I went by this search and the first sharpener shown.
Zoom in and you can see Spyderco molded on the side.
As I said, I'm just speculating and as usual, came up with the wrong answer....:(
I'll edit my earlier posts so as to not muck up your Gauntlet thread.
https://www.google.com/search?q=spy...yIMKHQtMAgkQ_AUIEigC&biw=732&bih=332&dpr=2.63
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This is the Gauntlet. Basically the differences I see are the plastic shell that protects your hand instead of the brass rods + the now lenticular cross section rods vs the triangle sharpmaker rods. Also I think it may come woth fine rods and diamond or cubic boron as the stock rods.

SP603FCBNn.jpg


I doubt I’ll get one as I have the diamond sharpmaker triangle rods anyway. Also I imagine the lenticularnrods are harder to freehand on bs the triangle rods where I use the flat of the triangle typically for free hand sharpening.
 
GlockMonkey said:
I'm not quite sure I get this one. I assumed it was going to be cheaper than the sharpmaker when I first saw it, but it looks like it's actually going to be more expensive. What's the reason for choosing this when the sharpmaker gives you more options and is portable?
Click to expand...
I must admit that I'm highly disappointed seeing the final product. Because I had been told a completely different story about this tool. Other than the Cat's Eye stones I don't see any advantages over the 204 Sharpmaker and it's doubtful that I'll ever get one.

Now I do think this more simple sharpening tool could be nice for the average homeowner wanting it for sharpening their kitchen knives. But for a serious knife afi or a serious user of premium blades I think that the 204 Sharpmaker wins by a large margin. Yeah I just don't get this one at all.
 
It should be called "the snail" rather than the gauntlet. :)

I've been considering picking up a Sharpmaker again for quick touch ups. I'd probably get that over this.
 
This unit must just be target marketed for basic homeowners like I alluded to in my previous post. Because other than some advantages you can have with those "Cat's Eye" stones I just don't understand how this is supposed to a serious unit for most people like us here on Bladeforums. Like most of you have said the 204 Sharpmaker has far more options and advantages.

I have an older, late 1990s Spyderco GALLEY V Sharpening kit and it has those Cat's Eye stones. I might buy some of the other grits of these stones for the GAUNTLET that is if they fit in the old GALLEY V Kit. Does anyone yet know what the size dimensions of these GAUNTLET stones are???
 
GlockMonkey said:
That makes a little more sense. I had seen it on dlt with a $100 msrp but bladehq has it at $80. The sharpmaker is only $105 so I was struggling to see why anyone would choose the gauntlet.
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Price.

For some folks the lowest price is the be all and end all.
 
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