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- Jul 16, 2007
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- 1,145
A while ago I was given a TSProf Pioneer guided sharpener by the company in exchange for a review. I did post a review here as well as a few other places. I did like the system quite a bit but there were a few areas I felt could be improved. Recently I finally found the Height Adjuster kit and Extended Guide rod in stock. They've been out of stock for quite a while nearly everywhere including the TSProf website. Well, for some odd reason the TSProf Store at Amazon has bunch of stuff out of stock on their regular site.
No pictures right now but I'll try to add some soon.
The Height Adjuster is an add-on that bolts onto the back of the existing Pioneer. It ads a rack-and-pinion gear very similar to the Kadet, the main difference being that it raises and lowers the arm versus moving the clamp on the Kadet. You just remove the arm, drop the adjuster on and tighten it down. If you want it more securely and permanently mounted there's a strap that goes through the frame and attaches with two screws. Since I don't plan to ever remove it I added the strap.
The upgrade makes it easier and more precise to change the angle but it also allows one to use lower angles, and probably to sharpen larger/longer knives. This requires the purchase of the Extended Stone Arm, too, which luckily was in stock at the Amazon store.
Once set up I tried it out at my shop doing a couple of small Japanese gyutos. The difference was profound! I found it much easier to raise and the arm in fine increments vs the original adjustment which is just moving the arm freely up and down until you tighten a set screw. The gears are very smooth and precise, and of course the arm rotation mechanism still locks up like a bank vault. The one minor issues I had was that the small rubber ring on the "mast" of the adjuster is fairly flexible and loose. It's main function is to serve as a stone thickness compensator. They do sell one which I didn't think to buy. It's only $8 or so but shipping is $15. I can pick it up at Gritomatic with free shipping next time I have a large enough order, but for now I ordered a pair of cheap drill stop collars from Amazon. I've used one on my Edge Pro Apex for 20+ years and it works fine, the only minor issue being the need to use an Allen wrench vs the thumb screw of the TSProf piece. Not a big deal, I just leave it in my marble stone pond.
I guess the $64k question is which is better, the upgraded Pioneer or the Kadet? That is a tough call! In capability they're extremely close to identical. In part it depends on the deal you get. The Pioneer is only $250 now, and I got the kit on sale for $90 (normally $190 or so). The arm set me back $30 or so, and realistically I'll probably pop for the L-Adapters. Lastly I ordered the Glide Hinge Adapter so another $30. I think newer versions of both machines come stock with it though so if you're buying new it's a wash. I got my Pioneer for free so for me it's a no-brainer, it was cheaper to do the upgrades than buy a new machine. That said, I think the new normal price for the Kadet is $400.
If you already have a Pioneer I think it's well worth the upgrade! If you're buying your first one it's pretty close. I think I prefer the flipping mechanism of the Pioneer and it seems a bit more natural/intuitive to raise and lower the arm vs the clamp. Mechanically it seems a bit more solid. I think I may slightly prefer the upgraded Pioneer, and now they ship a version that already has the upgrades included.
This is getting a bit long but in summary the upgrades to the Pioneer elevate it from good-for-the-money to truly elite! It's a great bang for the purchased in one go and a no-brainer if you already have the Pioneer unit. They really hit out the park and I recommend it without reservation. It's a fantastic system!
No pictures right now but I'll try to add some soon.The Height Adjuster is an add-on that bolts onto the back of the existing Pioneer. It ads a rack-and-pinion gear very similar to the Kadet, the main difference being that it raises and lowers the arm versus moving the clamp on the Kadet. You just remove the arm, drop the adjuster on and tighten it down. If you want it more securely and permanently mounted there's a strap that goes through the frame and attaches with two screws. Since I don't plan to ever remove it I added the strap.
The upgrade makes it easier and more precise to change the angle but it also allows one to use lower angles, and probably to sharpen larger/longer knives. This requires the purchase of the Extended Stone Arm, too, which luckily was in stock at the Amazon store.
Once set up I tried it out at my shop doing a couple of small Japanese gyutos. The difference was profound! I found it much easier to raise and the arm in fine increments vs the original adjustment which is just moving the arm freely up and down until you tighten a set screw. The gears are very smooth and precise, and of course the arm rotation mechanism still locks up like a bank vault. The one minor issues I had was that the small rubber ring on the "mast" of the adjuster is fairly flexible and loose. It's main function is to serve as a stone thickness compensator. They do sell one which I didn't think to buy. It's only $8 or so but shipping is $15. I can pick it up at Gritomatic with free shipping next time I have a large enough order, but for now I ordered a pair of cheap drill stop collars from Amazon. I've used one on my Edge Pro Apex for 20+ years and it works fine, the only minor issue being the need to use an Allen wrench vs the thumb screw of the TSProf piece. Not a big deal, I just leave it in my marble stone pond.
I guess the $64k question is which is better, the upgraded Pioneer or the Kadet? That is a tough call! In capability they're extremely close to identical. In part it depends on the deal you get. The Pioneer is only $250 now, and I got the kit on sale for $90 (normally $190 or so). The arm set me back $30 or so, and realistically I'll probably pop for the L-Adapters. Lastly I ordered the Glide Hinge Adapter so another $30. I think newer versions of both machines come stock with it though so if you're buying new it's a wash. I got my Pioneer for free so for me it's a no-brainer, it was cheaper to do the upgrades than buy a new machine. That said, I think the new normal price for the Kadet is $400.
If you already have a Pioneer I think it's well worth the upgrade! If you're buying your first one it's pretty close. I think I prefer the flipping mechanism of the Pioneer and it seems a bit more natural/intuitive to raise and lower the arm vs the clamp. Mechanically it seems a bit more solid. I think I may slightly prefer the upgraded Pioneer, and now they ship a version that already has the upgrades included.
This is getting a bit long but in summary the upgrades to the Pioneer elevate it from good-for-the-money to truly elite! It's a great bang for the purchased in one go and a no-brainer if you already have the Pioneer unit. They really hit out the park and I recommend it without reservation. It's a fantastic system!
I must have set it aside and forgot about it! I used a bit of 0.5 micron StroppyStuff and finished the knife.
This strop is the real deal, I wish I hadn't forgotten it for so long! The knife came out unbelievably sharp. I don't have a BESS tester, maybe I need to get one eventually.