your own sharpener design...

grnamin

grnamin

Joined
Oct 6, 1998
Messages
2,269
If you could design your own sharpener or sharpening system, what would it look like or consist of. I, personally, would like to see a ceramic rod sharpener like a sharpening steel with a built in angle guide for field use. I can never get the angle consistent on a sharpening steel.

-Greg
 
I would like something like the sharpmaker, an already great design, but with the rods in a base that would allow the angle to be altered. One you could set anywhere from, say 15 to 25 degrees. Maybe more?

Kinda like a crock stick form of the Apex.

Throw in some steeling rods with the regular sharpening hones, and we'd really be able to fly.

How's that sound, Greg?

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"

[This message has been edited by CD Fleischer (edited 27 January 1999).]
 
Hey CD,
That's a good idea. A Sharpmaker with incrementally adjustable sharpening angles!
-Greg
 
CD's idea is exactly my dream sharpener also. Out of all the gizmos, v-sharpeners have the advantage of the absolute easiest set-up and takedown time. That's a nice advantage.

Maybe the system would be hinged at the apex of the V. You could adjust the legs on each side up or down, and that would tilt the sticks in and out. Better yet, just have some way to adjust the hinge up and down, so you only have to adjust one place.

I've been toying with prototyping this by just propping up one side of my Triangle Sharpmaker. If I prop up the left side by say 1/8", that will lower the angle on the leftmost stick. Then of course I'm stuck using that stick exclusively, since the right stick will have a bigger angle..

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
Joe: One stick is enough. All you have to do is walk around to the other side of table and sharpen the other side of the blade on the same stick. Or you could stay put and simply turn the sharpenar around. No doubt you've already figured this out.

On your variable angle V-stick invention, you could have the sticks set in a protractor-like thing that will give a precise indication of angle. Adjustment could be made by means of a threaded screw or wing nut: loosen to move the sticks and tighten to hold them firmly in place.

I think I like the one stick idea. Why not have just one stick, and sharpen both sides as described above, turning the rig around as necessary. Once your about done sharpening, you may wish you could alternate sides on every stroke. At this point, a person can go freehand, since the strokes are very light, just for final burr removal.

Of course two sticks would be better if you have them and cost is not an issue. Okay, two sticks it is.

I'll buy one. How much are you gonna sell it for?

David Rock
 
I have to say that I also like the adjustable 2 stick idea(if you turn the gizmo around, you will have either extra handguards or an overly long base).

The one thing I would like is to have significantly longer rodsthan the Sharpmakers. I feel that would greatly improve the ease and consistency of edge on my longer fixed blades.

Derek
 
Actually, this seems like a lot of work for something I should be doing freehand
smile.gif
but I figured out the poor-man's method for this, and it does not require you walking around to the other side of the table.

On the bottom of your Sharpmaker, where the apex of the V would be, tape a thin dowel. It'll be perpendicular to the base, so it looks like a lower case "t". Flop one side down (say the right side). Then the left stick will have a lower angle. When you want to switch sides, you just flop the other side down instead. Playing around with this briefly, I found I could flop back and forth with my left hand, so I could switch which stick has the low angle with my left hand as quickly as my right hand could bring the blade over -- and I could do this from behind the thin metal guards.

Yeah I know it seems like more work than it's worth. But frankly, playing here with it, it seems like it'll work great. I'll sharpen a knife tonight this way and report what happens.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
I like David's idea, a lot actually. Too bad there isn't a better Lansky type that can do this consistanly.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Lansky produces a product called the "Fold-a-
Vee". hinged at the "V", held from the top (doesn't need guards) stands on a rock or a stump. folds up or unfolds in one second. 30 & 40 degree angles. Under $20. Invented & Designed by Spyderco. Might be "your ideal" design.
sal
 
Sal, interesting design but again only a choice of two angles.

Okay, I did my experiment. What I did is use an unravelled clothes hanger. I stick the thin metal rod under the Sharpmaker, then tilted the left side down and sharpened to a burr on the right side. Then push the right side down and repeat on the left stick. Now it's time to go from side-to-side, I push the left side down and slide knife down right side, then push right side down while I'm moving the knife to the left stick.

This actually worked pretty well! One problem is I got a little too comfortable, and at one point mixed up which side to sharpen on, so for a while I was pushing the left side down and then sharpening on the left stick, etc. Which means I double-ground the edge thicker than I wanted. If I had paid attention, I would've ended up with a nice thin edge.

Anyway, I'm probably going to try this again, next time my Calypso Jr. needs sharpening. Not worth the trouble, but that's why we're knife knuts

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
How about the straightforward solution. Just take another block of wood and drill holes the right size for the ceramic sticks at the angles of your choice. You do have a drill press, don't you? Well, if you don't, you probably know somebody who does. You can even make a whole set of them with different angles for the cost of a couple of small pieces of wood. (And, of course the original crock sticks from the Sharpmaker or similar system.) Sounds good. I think I just might do it.
smile.gif



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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
 
Hello.Very interesting topic! I was wondering for a while as to how I can tell what the angles are on some of my knives? Is there an industry standard? a gauge, or does it take a keen eye with alot of knowledge? Or has it been changed by me when I sharpen it?
Barton314@aol
 
It sounds like everyone is describing the Edge Pro Apex. Its a take it with you. Set angle guides, and all the water stones a person could ever need plus polishing tape, and a ceramic rod. All in a nice carry bag.
I havn't been able to beat it. I even got a 600 and 1200 grit EZLap in a 2X6 and mounted it on a blank plate so I can sharpen my ceramic MX.
 
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