What's going on in your shop? Show us whats going on, and talk a bit about your work!

We have been working on this adjustable "V" sharpener for almost two years. You wouldn't think something so simple in its concept would take so much time to perfect; but it does. Inventing something is just the first part; perfecting it is the second part and thats the part that takes the time. Like making knives; it seems simple when starting out and then along comes perfecting your technique and learning the multitude of skills required to be a good maker.
Anyhow; this is what we are working on at the moment, along with a few knives to boot.
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Fred, I question how much overlap there is between people who care what their sharpening angle is and people who are willing to use a carbide sharpener.

Otherwise looks well made
 
I read back over this post and don't believe I answered anyone's question and could have done better.

Fred
 
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I admit i had never used a carbide sharpener for the concerns about the edge cleanlyness vs a kind of burr; I fear there may be issues in trying to sharpen a keen edge like i'm sharpening a pencil... removing a curl on the edge; i think i may not be able to avoid to gouge the edge itself and ruin it, accounting only to the v angle instead of other important edge attributes that i can obtain with fine abrasion. I figure it like i'm trying to put the finish on the blade not with fine grit papers, but with a "sen" (japanese scraper).
I repeat: i had never used one of those and i see they sell well, so maybe my preconceptions lead me totally wrong and i will become a carbide sharpener addict when i will try one :)
The design is sexy, at first i tought it was an angle gage only for measurement.
Can you please post a loupe view of the obtained edges?
Thank you, and best luck with your project!!!

Stefano
 
stezann said:
I admit i had never used a carbide sharpener for the concerns about the edge cleanlyness vs a kind of burr; I fear there may be issues in trying to sharpen a keen edge like i'm sharpening a pencil... removing a curl on the edge; i think i may not be able to avoid to gouge the edge itself and ruin it, accounting only to the v angle instead of other important edge attributes that i can obtain with fine abrasion. I figure it like i'm trying to put the finish on the blade not with fine grit papers, but with a "sen" (japanese scraper).
I repeat: i had never used one of those and i see they sell well, so maybe my preconceptions lead me totally wrong and i will become a carbide sharpener addict when i will try one :)
The design is sexy, at first i tought it was an angle gage only for measurement.
Can you please post a loupe view of the obtained edges?
Thank you, and best luck with your project!!!

Stefano
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Stefano,

Many have a preconceived idea of the results when they see this is a "V" style sharpener and this is with good reason. But I assure you, the only commonality is in the name.
The results from this tool even surprised me and I'm the inventor. The reason the results are so different is in the precise construction of the tool. Ever surface aligns with all other surfaces. When an edge is set into the "V" it is cradled and you can feel this. There is also a channel between the carbide surfaces that allows the swarf to exit the area in contact with the carbides. I believe this is one of the major problems in using a "V" style sharpener; there is no place for the residue to escape; the edge ends up running through this puddle of hardened steel that has been removed from the edge. Alignment is another reason they never worked. Bad alignment results in chatter as the edge bounces from side to side. :( I am getting some micro graphs done for an upcoming video but for now I think you can get an approximation of the results from these photos. Thank you for your comments.
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I don't want this great thread to turn into a discussion on my invention; please PM me if you want to talk.

Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Stefano,

Many have a preconceived idea of the results when they see this is a "V" style sharpener and this is with good reason. But I assure you, the only commonality is in the name.
The results from this tool even surprised me and I'm the inventor. The reason the results are so different is in the precise construction of the tool. Ever surface aligns with all other surfaces. When an edge is set into the "V" it is cradled and you can feel this. There is also a channel between the carbide surfaces that allows the swarf to exit the area in contact with the carbides. I believe this is one of the major problems in using a "V" style sharpener; there is no place for the residue to escape; the edge ends up running through this puddle of hardened steel that has been removed from the edge. Alignment is another reason they never worked. Bad alignment results in chatter as the edge bounces from side to side. :( I am getting some micro graphs done for an upcoming video but for now I think you can get an approximation of the results from these photos. Thank you for your comments.
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Thank you very much Fred, i appreciated your explanations and the images. :thumbup:
cheers

Stefano
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Dude, my question is why would people not want to use the most accurate and precise knife sharpener on the market. If someone is not "willing" to try a new concept in carbide sharpeners and are holding on to old impressions then they are limiting their own progress.

I can tell by your comment that you have had a bad experience with a carbide "V" sharpener at some time in your life; I offer my sympathy's.

I think you may be the first person I have spoken with in a while who does not understand a cutting edge concept when they see one :). Knife edges carry a broad range of angles depending on their geometry and intended use. Offering a product that adjust in 1 degree increments, accurately and over an infinite range of usable angles makes seance.
I have always been a teacher and when I work with people the goal is to inform and broaden their understanding of what is being taught. Same goes with this. I've put on local show and tells, teaching people how to sharpen a knife blade; these are farmers and hunters and the like and you would be amazed at how intuitive and interested they are in how to sharpen a knife. So I think you sell people short outright.
If we all had this attitude, nothing new would ever be invented and we would still be using clam shells to eat instead of spoons. The sign over my workbench says "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" I can send you a copy if you wish.

Fred
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That's a great idea Fred. I'd probably not use it very often but I'd like to get one for a bug out/ camping bag. To be honest though and to give some constructive criticism, I would be a bit skeptical about those carbide inserts; they look glued in. I'm sure that would hold up just fine or maybe that's just your R&D model but if I were to buy something like that I would want it built like a tank, maybe carbide inserts screwed in or brased in? Looks good though,
 
Why in the hell would anyone give you crap for using a work rest??? I personally know knife making legends who use the rest, it's called control. Work rest or not it is still done by hand. That is the only real problem with forums, sometimes people feel they can just say anything...
NickWheeler said:
There's always some -knife making keyboard warrior- that comes along after I post videos where I'm grinding off a tool rest, that feels the need to point out how REAL knife makers grind free hand.

I always reply that I ground free hand for many years BEFORE learning how to grind off the tool rest similar to how Tim Hancock does. So I can grind freehand, but I choose to use the tool rest. The tool rest combined with a push stick is a very efficient way to grind, with very little wasted movement/effort.

BUT--- just to get those keyboard commandos to shut up, and prove that I'm not an "imitation knife maker" ;) I shot this video grinding one of the JoeP blades freehand with no lay-out lines, just hands and eyes.

The end result is a blade that looks just like the ones ground off the tool rest, but it was a much less efficient process to get it there. So how is that better? :confused: ;) LOL

[video=youtube;-6HOn5dVQqI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6HOn5dVQqI[/video]
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I have really been enjoying this thread.

Here is a little bit of what I have been up to...

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Finishing up this one soon...

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And picked up my first forge. Ready to start learning, just have to hunt down an anvil...

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Bgbdwolf said:
Why in the hell would anyone give you crap for using a work rest??? I personally know knife making legends who use the rest, it's called control. Work rest or not it is still done by hand. That is the only real problem with forums, sometimes people feel they can just say anything...
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Nick,
When "People" I am being polite, give others crap about this work rest or this jig, I ask them if they made their own grinder freehand? Did the make their own grinding belts? Did they dig & smelt their own steel blooms?

I ground free hand for years, guess what, my hands are now getting screwed up and using a rest or templet or any tool that helps me give a better end product is the way to go. If they don't like it? they don't have to buy my knives.

The real key factor is TRANSPARENCY! I have never lost a sale because I told the buyer that I use a water jetted blank of my design etc..
 
setlab said:
That's a great idea Fred. I'd probably not use it very often but I'd like to get one for a bug out/ camping bag. To be honest though and to give some constructive criticism, I would be a bit skeptical about those carbide inserts; they look glued in. I'm sure that would hold up just fine or maybe that's just your R&D model but if I were to buy something like that I would want it built like a tank, maybe carbide inserts screwed in or brased in? Looks good though,
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I have been testing Fred's lapped ERU units daily for two weeks and have nothing but great things to say so far about the construction and design of them, They do one fine job of restoring & refinishing edges on fillet to cleaver sized knives.

For the field, they are the best thing I have seen ever, due to there compact design & ease of function. All I suggest any hunter, camper or hiker add is a black marker to help you tune in the exact edge you are after.
 
Seeing how tool rests just came up, I figured I would post these, One of the first things I noticed when I was looking at grinders getting ready to build mine was that side arm tool rests seemed to me like they would hinder free movement to the left side, So I built a post mount tool rest system which works great,and allows free movement in both directions, And soon after that I figured out that a radius top tool rest was really nice for doing hollow grinds, especially on clip points and trailing points

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I take all of the suggestions for efficiency quite seriously. When you get to my age, you realize you are not indestructible, and as arthritis kicks in, minimizing unneeded strain is a good thing. I am assembling my VFD grinder in a box, and have set up one of Nathan's 9" discs to help prevent the strain on my wrists, as I have a history of carpal tunnel syndrome.
 
Willie.
Don't hesitate to have the operation done if you are advised to do so. A long time ago I had both wrists done at the same time. I was working a pretty physical job at the time but was back to work two weeks later without any further problems of any sort. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
Willie.
Don't hesitate to have the operation done if you are advised to do so. A long time ago I had both wrists done at the same time. I was working a pretty physical job at the time but was back to work two weeks later without any further problems of any sort. Frank
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I had both wrists done a few years ago, and it made a world of difference. I also have a relatively rare mitochondrial RNA flaw that causes soft tissue pain and fatigue with repetitive use. Its easier just to tell people I have carpal tunnel syndrome, as the symptoms overlap a lot. I have been noting all of the efficiency tips posted since I have started here as I want to keep doing this for a long while.
 
Actually, Rick, I was thinking I should spray paint it flat black, hang it on a wall in an art gallery, give it a title involving war, and sell it for a million bucks. :D
 
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