The new Work Sharp Angle Set Knife Sharpener

[cbwx34]

...
My only question is does it have a hand guard for the protection of the hand holding down the device while sharpening? The Sharpmaker has the two brass rods that instill confidence when the blade comes down the stone on the offhand side.

It's a different design, so the brass rods aren't necessary. (The Sharpmaker puts your hand in the "path" of the blade... the Worksharp doesn't, unless you hold it between the two rods...).

Another video I ran across...

...(probably enough videos...)

 

[kreisler]

The Sharpmaker puts your hand in the "path" of the blade

i am confident that if we start a poll with 2 xor vote options ("do you believe that the Sharpmaker is superior to this new product" vs "do you believe that this new product is superior to the Sharpmaker")

 

[cbwx34]

i am confident that if we start a poll with 2 xor vote options ("do you believe that the Sharpmaker is superior to this new product" vs "do you believe that this new product is superior to the Sharpmaker")

I don't really get your point... but I didn't say one was "superior"... just different.

 

[Hale Storm]

It's a different design, so the brass rods aren't necessary. (The Sharpmaker puts your hand in the "path" of the blade... the Worksharp doesn't, unless you hold it between the two rods...).

Another video I ran across...

...(probably enough videos...)

What? Actually I'm not seeing what you see. That blade is clearly coming down on the left side right above his left hand, just like using a SM.
If he were to actually hold the device in the middle of the two rods, at least the blade would be UNDER his hand during operation. As it is now, his hand is exactly in the position I was questioning and the blade is above and coming down over his hand on each stroke. The difference is only the rods that the SM has to keep you from coming down and slicing a hand or finger. If you get aggressive or careless on that left side, there is nothing to keep you from slicing your own hand or finger. Minus the rods on the SM, this is the exact same principle but with the stones inverted to a more rigid angle. I'm surprised there is no guard on this to protect the user from making a huge mistake with a sharp knife.
Not dissing the product. Most of us could use it with no issue, and I'll probably get one myself, but my point is still valid. If nothing else, the video reinforces my point of the off hand safety.

 

[cbwx34]

What? Actually I'm not seeing what you see. That blade is clearly coming down on the left side right above his left hand, just like using a SM.
If he were to actually hold the device in the middle of the two rods, at least the blade would be UNDER his hand during operation. As it is now, his hand is exactly in the position I was questioning and the blade is above and coming down over his hand on each stroke. The difference is only the rods that the SM has to keep you from coming down and slicing a hand or finger. If you get aggressive or careless on that left side, there is nothing to keep you from slicing your own hand or finger. Minus the rods on the SM, this is the exact same principle but with the stones inverted to a more rigid angle. I'm surprised there is no guard on this to protect the user from making a huge mistake with a sharp knife.
Not dissing the product. Most of us could use it with no issue, and I'll probably get one myself, but my point is still valid. If nothing else, the video reinforces my point of the off hand safety.

The way I see it, the difference is where the knife would go if you run it off the rod, based on the pressure against the rod. On the SM, the force is "out", so if you run off the rod, you could push the knife toward your hand... that's what the guard protects against. On the WS, the force is "in", so if you run off the rod, the knife will go in between the two rods, toward the center.

The only thing you wouldn't do, (more than once anyway...), is put your hand right underneath...

 

[Hale Storm]

The way I see it, the difference is where the knife would go if you run it off the rod, based on the pressure against the rod. On the SM, the force is "out", so if you run off the rod, you could push the knife toward your hand... that's what the guard protects against. On the WS, the force is "in", so if you run off the rod, the knife will go in between the two rods, toward the center.

The only thing you wouldn't do, (more than once anyway...), is put your hand right underneath...

Great point. I see what you mean by the direction of force you're applying to the blade in the downward stroke. Good observation. Thanks

 

[bgentry]

Regardless of the direction of *intended* force, you could definitely skip or slip off of one of the stones and end up with the blade in your hand. Imagine that you miss the side of the rod and instead contact the slick plastic top, and skip off of it. I could see that happening. As the SharpMaker video says: "We're not worried about a beginner cutting themselves. It's the experienced person, who starts going faster that we think is more at risk. Use the protective rods."

Just like guys that have worked with table saws for 20 years and in an instant have fingers missing. They get familiar and comfortable and then accidents happen. This is why the Saw Stop exists (and is super cool by the way!).

Disclaimer 1: I've used the SharpMaker, with the rods, hundreds of times. I don't think I've ever hit the brass rods. But I can't remember for sure. So I think I'd be ok with this sharpener which has no guards. Until I wasn't.

Disclaimer 2: I actually really like Worksharp the company (Darex). I want them to succeed. I own the WSKO. I'm just giving my honest opinion that this device doesn't seem as safe as the SharpMaker.

Obviously this is all just my opinion.

Brian.

 

[annr]

I would tend to agree. I’ve seen some sharpening injuries that seemed “obviously” avoidable (with honing rods). Like you say, until they aren’t.

One person took a good gouge out of left thumb (now uses a protective glove), even after reviewing safety technique.

Another guy came in carrying bandaids (something I would not have thought of for honing), anticipating a cut.

IME, all bets are off regardless of age or experience, even though I would hope most people wouldn’t run into trouble, the potential is there and greater w/o guard.

(The other thing you can’t account for are surprises or distractions.)

 

[cbwx34]

Regardless of the direction of *intended* force, you could definitely skip or slip off of one of the stones and end up with the blade in your hand. Imagine that you miss the side of the rod and instead contact the slick plastic top, and skip off of it. I could see that happening.
...
Brian.

Well no amount of protection prevents stupidity.... , but if someone does what you're saying, hope they got the camera rolling, it will be unique!

If we're now imagining... imagine someone missing the whole thing, and sticking the knife in their leg...

I'll stick with what I said... on the SM, you're pushing toward your hand, on the WS, you're pushing toward an empty space, which is why the brass rods aren't needed. But yeah, I'm sure someone will figure out a way to hurt themselves... (as annr post proves).

 

[annr]

cbwx34
What you may not realize is that there are many people who are not as coordinated as you! They are smart; they are just klutzes.

(The person who sliced the thumb previously broke an ankle stepping off a curb…this is just one example …oy)

 

[cbwx34]

cbwx34
What you may not realize is that there are many people who are not as coordinated as you! They are smart; they are just klutzes.

(The person who sliced the thumb previously broke an ankle stepping off a curb…this is just one example …oy)

Oh... I'm not all that coordinated, I"ve had my share of mishaps... but that's not the point I'm making... the guards on the SM wouldn't really serve the same purpose on the WS model. Doesn't make it "less safe".

 

[Hale Storm]

I'll say this just to make sure. I'm a FAN of the WS and own it along with the SM. I'm just making an observation, not a real criticism. Dumb or clumsy people will always exist and in our world of sharp objects, cuts are almost inevitable.

 

[cbwx34]

I'll say this just to make sure. I'm a FAN of the WS and own it along with the SM. I'm just making an observation, not a real criticism. Dumb or clumsy people will always exist and in our world of sharp objects, cuts are almost inevitable.

What I don't understand, is why they didn't incorporate the lid to be some kind of way to at least hold the device. In the last video I posted, around 1:35, you can see he tries to lay the lids flat, but it raises the center part, so he ends up removing them. Seems like they could have designed them "dual purpose"... at least to hold the device with your hand more out of the way?

 

[kreisler]

that video also shows that the user would bump the device over and over again with the knife, when switching to the other blade side.
this practical observation becomes more of an issue the longer the blade\the bigger the knife is. when switching sides, the 'device hump' is always\directly in the way like an obstacle.
no big deal when you bump the device with your knife (doesn't hurt the knife) but it ain't cool either. would get on my nerves eventually.

 

[Hale Storm]

that video also shows that the user would bump the device over and over again with the knife, when switching to the other blade side.
this practical observation becomes more of an issue the longer the blade\the bigger the knife is. when switching sides, the 'device hump' is always\directly in the way like an obstacle.
no big deal when you bump the device with your knife (doesn't hurt the knife) but it ain't cool either. would get on my nerves eventually.

Hadn't though of that one. I guess that's why all the other rod type sharpeners are "V" shaped versus "A" shaped. Makes sense to me.

 

[kreisler]

"A" shaped has some advantages:
more stable and robust setup (like a tent),
no stone wiggle\waggle\play,
no setup wear (SM holes wear over time),
full stone length gets used.

Having said that, they should have put even more thought into developing this primitive product, making it really untouchable, faultless, uncriticizable. Maybe they should have given it to more numerous honest critical testers during the prototyping stages. Just looking at the few videos i can't help but think wtf.

 

[AFAustin]

What I don't understand, is why they didn't incorporate the lid to be some kind of way to at least hold the device. In the last video I posted, around 1:35, you can see he tries to lay the lids flat, but it raises the center part, so he ends up removing them. Seems like they could have designed them "dual purpose"... at least to hold the device with your hand more out of the way?

Took me a while to figure this out as well (I also have one here for testing), but that was because I skimmed too quickly over the instructions. They point out that you can slide the lid off (you first need to raise it straight up), and then use it as a handguard. While the language is a little vague, I think what they mean is that you can then flip it over and re-attach it. In that position, it doesn't raise the center part and you can keep your hand on top of it and pretty far off to the side.

Andrew

 

[ToddM]

There's a lot to like here if it stands the test of time. The sharpmaker isn't a bad unit, but honestly I think Spydero should have improved upon it years and years ago. I will say one advantage I see the sharpmaker having is while it's more expensive you get 3 sides on every stone, and you have the "corners" that can be used for microbevels and small serrations.

Question:
Do the stones rotate freely or do they have detents when each is in the proper position? Video looks like they just spin free, seems like an easy way to have a stone not flat to the blade.

Likes:
1) the rods all pack up into the base for storage and keeps everything together, I lost my brass rods for my sharpmaker years ago, and at least one set of stones over the years.
2) it has more angles than the sharpmaker offers
3) Hard to argue with 2 diamond stones and a ceramic and all the features for $50
4) replaceable stones, a set of diamond stones for a sharpmaker costs more than this entire unit!


What I'd have liked to have seen:
1) half rounded ceramic plates, flat ones tend to chip at the edges, or be uneven/rough there.
2) A square 4 sided rod, that would allow for another sharpening stone, the only reason the Spyderco is a triangle is to leverage the corners of the triangle rods as well, not an option on this unit, so add another rod. I'd suggest a medium ceramic.
3) a longer base that's easier to hold. The sharpmaker offset rod holders means you have a really good hold of the base while sharpening. Sliding the lid off and "adding" it to the base seems a bit weak/hokey. In every video you can see the user struggles to hold the unit solidly.
4) Plastic case looks very thin/flimsy, would be nice if it was a thicker more robust plastic.
5) Longer stones, these are 6", Sharpmaker is 7" and frankly I wish they were 9". That would also allow them to make a longer base.
6) A better stone attachment system, the magnet system is obviously fast, but in the video you can clearly see the system flex while sharpening. Sharpmaker also has this issue as the stones are not held rock solid. It also makes the base very wide, and increases the chance of hitting the base with the blade on the downstroke.