Wicked Edge Mod that cut down my sharpening time

[Sharpski]

Hey members,
Here is a mod I did of my wicked edge that saves me a little time. It makes it easier to put stones down for edge checks, change stones, and just makes sharpening easier and less of a hassle. Check it out!

Not perfect but it was "tangent projec"t that a did in a few hours with limited tools (not at my place) and didn't care if it was dead even. Although now that I notice it I may have to make a version 2.0. haha
This helps with change between stones. I don't even have to touch the rods!
There is also decrease grit contamination bc I know the stones are always touch a clean surface. They stones actually hardly touch anything if they do at all!
Note the dedicated resting spots for just the rod and the rod with stones.

Anyway just thought I would throw it out there to inpsire people to post their Mods that help them save time or just makes the WE better

Im just sayin..

 

[phillipsted]

Cool! What did you use to make the stone-rest from? It looks sorta like a section of a wooden window blind slat...

TedP

 

[Sharpski]

Cool! What did you use to make the stone-rest from? It looks sorta like a section of a wooden window blind slat...

TedP

Hahah close! it is some molding or base board I can't remember which for sure. It was on the left over pile and was just the right size and it's easy to work with and unfinished so it's what I used.

 

[duro]

Nice. Did you order the new arms, or what? I would prefer the new arms compared to the old.

 

[Mountain Wildman]

Good idea, Thanks!!
My W.E. Pro just came in today, I
haven't even un-wrapped it yet.

 

[Sharpski]

Nice. Did you order the new arms, or what? I would prefer the new arms compared to the old.

Yea I did order the new arms and the riser. Yea they are much better really takes the system to a new level. Even if it costs you a knife I would do it its worth it haha

 

[Sharpski]

Good idea, Thanks!!
My W.E. Pro just came in today, I
haven't even un-wrapped it yet.

I was so excited I don't think my box lasted two minutes ahah! You wont be disappointed! Its a great system are the pro packs coming with the new arms out of curiosity?

 

[OldawanBob]

Nice mod - Great to see what mods people make to make the system work better for them :thumbup:. I've seen a number of rests for the guide arms but never one so tall or with the rest notched for the rods and rods with stones. And nice color too.

Wondering why you did it with the rest on the front instead of the back - or perhaps you use the sharpener reversed so you can do the screws with your right hand? I lay down my guide rods going away from me and when I put on new handles I hook the rods with the handles where they hang off the front of the base. For me I think this would interfere with getting to the set screws on the collars as I grab them straight on to tighten them

I also noticed in your pics that you have the shorter (original Gen II) base rod mounted on the sharpener - do you prefer it over the longer one that comes with the ball joint arms?

are the pro packs coming with the new arms out of curiosity?

Only Pro Pack IIs are including the ball joint arms kit in the purchase price - but the kit will fit the sharpener no matter what accessories pack you buy it with - or if you just buy the sharpener alone.

Wicked Edge has just recently made a change to the original basic kit arms too that reduces the possible angle play. They are fitting the top of the joint where the joint and the guide rod come together with two thin metal washers. This is similar to the mod they were charging $15 to complete before, except that was done with plastic washers and the top pin was replaced with a screw. The screw let you tighten down the fitting since the plastic washers would wear and were thicker. The new metal washers are super thin (can't hardly see them, at least with my less than stellar eyes) and they fit right in snugging that joint up without having to spread it or thread in a screw. They'll fit your arms with the washers at no charge - you just need to cover shipping to them and back.

 

[Sharpski]

Nice mod - Great to see what mods people make to make the system work better for them :thumbup:. I've seen a number of rests for the guide arms but never one so tall or with the rest notched for the rods and rods with stones. And nice color too.

Wondering why you did it with the rest on the front instead of the back - or perhaps you use the sharpener reversed so you can do the screws with your right hand? I lay down my guide rods going away from me and when I put on new handles I hook the rods with the handles where they hang off the front of the base. For me I think this would interfere with getting to the set screws on the collars as I grab them straight on to tighten them

I also noticed in your pics that you have the shorter (original Gen II) base rod mounted on the sharpener - do you prefer it over the longer one that comes with the ball joint arms?




Only Pro Pack IIs are including the ball joint arms kit in the purchase price - but the kit will fit the sharpener no matter what accessories pack you buy it with - or if you just buy the sharpener alone.

Wicked Edge has just recently made a change to the original basic kit arms too that reduces the possible angle play. They are fitting the top of the joint where the joint and the guide rod come together with two thin metal washers. This is similar to the mod they were charging $15 to complete before, except that was done with plastic washers and the top pin was replaced with a screw. The screw let you tighten down the fitting since the plastic washers would wear and were thicker. The new metal washers are super thin (can't hardly see them, at least with my less than stellar eyes) and they fit right in snugging that joint up without having to spread it or thread in a screw. They'll fit your arms with the washers at no charge - you just need to cover shipping to them and back.

Its mounted on the front relative to the way I use it haha. Its mainly bc I have always used it that way and was the way I decided to put them on. Most likely because its easier to tighten the screws you are right. Its funny how our mind automatically think like that without any real thought. My dad always said work smarter not harder! haha I have had a few people ask me that actually. Good observation! As far as the bar I was one of if not the first to order the production model of the new arms and the bar actually did not fit in the new arms so I had to send it back and that was the new on they gave me. I know they changed the bar a little but this was after they had sent me a new one.

Thanks for the info I may send it in although I would hate to be without it! ha

 

[OldawanBob]

I think that you should be able to get the longer base rod from them. I thought that they sent that out for all the early purchasers through the dealers (they asked me for a list of everyone I had sold to) and from their lists when they added it to the kit so maybe you just got missed. I'd call and let them know you bought early and haven't received the new longer base rod for your ball joint arms, I think you'll like it (ask them if you can get a set of the new screws too).

Just in case I wasn't clear - the washer mod won't affect your ball joint arms, so unless you are using the original arms still it may not be worthwhile - also not worthwhile if you don't notice the play. If you are using the basic arms to get lower angles with the riser in place, you could keep using the ball joint arms while your basic arms are getting worked on.

Thanks again for sharing the mod

 

[Billabong]

Wicked Edge has just recently made a change to the original basic kit arms too that reduces the possible angle play. They are fitting the top of the joint where the joint and the guide rod come together with two thin metal washers. This is similar to the mod they were charging $15 to complete before, except that was done with plastic washers and the top pin was replaced with a screw. The screw let you tighten down the fitting since the plastic washers would wear and were thicker. The new metal washers are super thin (can't hardly see them, at least with my less than stellar eyes) and they fit right in snugging that joint up without having to spread it or thread in a screw. They'll fit your arms with the washers at no charge - you just need to cover shipping to them and back.

Can you post a pic please Bob?

Great to see they finally decided to do this.
If WE says it only affected a smaller number and was caused by uncontrollable variation in manufacturing, then that small number should have been pulled out at quality control level, not sold.

It's a shame the actual stainless steel standard arms are not getting replaced with ones of the same thickness as the upgrade version. (1/4")
It seems once upon a time there was also variation/inconsistency in the paddle/stone hole diameter and the standard arm size was reduced.

"Yes - a while back we reduced the thickness of the arms to allow for the variation in the handles.
The new rods are thicker to answer the feedback we'd been getting about too much play.
I like the thicker arms and just reaming the whole a little as a solution because it eliminates most of the play."
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index....id=4307&limit=10&limitstart=50&Itemid=63#4921

Perhaps Clay will give this some thought also?

Are they also doing the washer mod to the standard arms that are left in the box with the PPII?

As for the longer crossbar, from memory it was a free upgrade for the early adopters.
Then it added $25 to the upgrade kit cost, from the original $120 to $145.

Clay sent out an email and posted about it here-
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index....id=4307&limit=10&limitstart=60&Itemid=63#5026

 

[Billabong]

Double!

 

[Billabong]

To the OP, it's a great idea to have something to rest your arms/paddles on.
I like it.
I use a length of square, high density foam attached by velcro.

I'll post a pic of the current "L" brackets that hold the arms, I put your type of screws in them so you can see how WE has also changed the distance between the screws since yours were current.

This means if you get a new bar, the default angles will be out.
I would try for a replacement bar and L brackets, good luck.

Your arms.

The black screws in my pick are the latest idea.