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In Memoriam

Fixed Angle Sharpening Fixture

FIXED ANGLE SHARPENING FIXTURE

I chose this fixture for 2 reasons .. the all steel construction & cost of < $ 20.oo.

The 4 whetstones included are 120, 320, 600, & 1500 grit.

For < an additional $ 2.50 , I added 2K & 3K whetstones.

For the price .. there was no storage box of any kind included. The assembled fixture is cumbersome & the stones are some what fragile. Disassembled .. it is a collection of parts. SO0o .. I configured a cigar box for storage. I cut the 2 smaller interior spacers down to define storage space between the longer pieces & the outer walls.

The stones are fragile. So I configured the cigar box such that the stones fit between the outside of the box & the longer interior liners .. now acting as dividers. Three stones per side .. room for two more.

Everything fits inside without clutter & the stones are protected from damage.

Nice compact storage .. not unattractive.

I found the fixture quite functional. It works especially well when re-profiling an edge ..or.. setting an initial edge. At any time .. it insures that a set angle is maintained throughout the sharpening process.

The all metal construction adds stability & durability. There are holes in the 4 corners & I considered mounting the fixture to a further stabilizing block of wood. This storage option is simply better .. for me. If I'd thoughts of using it .. 3 times a week .. I'd mount it more permanently.

The initial assembly & set-up is kinda cumbersome .. @ the moment. It’s mostly the clamping of the blade that I’m finding a bit awkward. Just .. not enough hands sometimes. I expect this to be reduced as I further use it & become more familiar with it.

I would highly recommend this ..or similar.. product for anyone. I would especially recommend it to anyone experiencing difficulty in the sharpening process. Typically speaking .. it is the inability to maintain a set angle during free hand sharpening that inhibits most. This fixture will correct that issue.

Enjoy

D ale

2 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on February 6, 2017 at 23:49

That looks like a sweet set-up. And you sure crafted a nifty way to stow it away in that stogie box. I think I would be inclined to mount it just for the convenience of not having to set it up each time, other than changing the stones. But that's only because I'm lazy.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on February 7, 2017 at 11:26

Nicely done, brother Dale.

Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2017 at 12:57

Check the measurements on your stones, and see if you can find good stones you can use from another system.The biggest complaints from the bargain guided systems I have heard are the stones.

Permalink Reply by John Bamford on February 7, 2017 at 12:57

Nicely done Dale , great packaging as always !!

Those fixed angle sharpeners are really useful and give a lovely even grind .

Do you have an angle cube thingy yet , I bought one for the Edge Pro but I don't know if it is all that useful in practice .

Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 7, 2017 at 15:04

I was just about to ask about the Angle Cube as well, John...lol. I am curious how well the bargain sharpeners keep their angles.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 7, 2017 at 16:02

I downloaded a couple apps for angle finding & evaluated.

"Level Ruler Pro"

It has small built in rulers along the edge of the screen

One side is metric .. the other imperial.

The 2-axis angle indicator works well.
Standard bubble level & Digital readout to 0.1 deg.

Don't know if it's truly THAT accurate .. seems repeatable though.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 7, 2017 at 16:24

I've read similar horror stories, Steve.

In some cases .. sounds like the stones are hot glues on

...but...

never pressed flat against the base.

I set a new bevel on a Schatt & Morgan

'n sharpened the small dog tag knife.

did not identify any issue with the one's I've in hand.

However

I have read of issues w/ stones on the bargain versions of sharpeners.

Steve Scheuerman (Manx) said:

Check the measurements on your stones, and see if you can find good stones you can use from another system.The biggest complaints from the bargain guided systems I have heard are the stones.

Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 10, 2017 at 15:32

Another thing that I noticed about this system is the handle on the stone arm. It looks *really* easy to put wayyy too much pressure on that handle. One of the main pieces of advice I have read about these guided systems is to let the weight of the stone do the work for you. Just something to keep in mind.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 10, 2017 at 17:41

Yeah .. there's certainly no reason to "lean into it".

Nobody seems to have told the model that though.

It sure looks like he's "leaning into it" .. he does have a grip on that handle.

The whetstones easily do all the work.

I just let the stones glide over the blade .. they easily bite into the steel.

I would imagine .. if one were to "lean into it" .. it could effect the angle.

If I just go easy .. I get a clean & constant edge.

it's been really nice when I'm setting / defining the edge on a new project.

keeping a clean FLAT edge on a wharncliffe / sheepsfoot / utility type blade.

Steve Scheuerman (Manx) said:

Another thing that I noticed about this system is the handle on the stone arm. It looks *really* easy to put wayyy too much pressure on that handle. One of the main pieces of advice I have read about these guided systems is to let the weight of the stone do the work for you. Just something to keep in mind.

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