04-04-2017, 04:01 AM (This post was last modified: 04-04-2017, 08:23 AM by Ken S.)
Watching Maxtheknife's video on sharpening scissors, I caught Max' comment on the Viel scissors clamp, it is "adequate". This mirrors my own limited experience with it. It works well, but has a tendency to slip for me. Max mentioned having James Hammon of Ace Sharpening in Kansas City machine an adaptor for him. The adaptor fits over the nub on the Viel scissors support, allowing a Wolff Twice as Sharp holder to work with the Viel belt grinder.
Max emailed me contact information. I telephoned James yesterday. He was very helpful. I am looking forward to using my modified Viel.
Very interesting, Rupert. This forum is my first contact with most of you and many new (to me) ideas. This adaptor is also my first contact with James' machinist magic. I have been thinking of ideas for several years. I look forward to working with James on some of my dreams.
(04-04-2017, 04:01 AM)Ken S Wrote: Watching Maxtheknife's video on sharpening scissors, I caught Max' comment on the Viel scissors clamp, it is "adequate".
Hi, new member here. I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering where I could find Maxtheknife's video? I've searched here and on youtube, but haven't found anything. I was thinking of ordering the Viel scissor sharpener and would love to see the video for more info.
Max can probably send you a link to the video. He made it while set up to sharpen scissors at a local quilting group meeting. I recommend it. Like you, Max's video inspired me to get the Viel scissors jig, the adaptor tube from Jim Cammon, and the Twice as Sharp holder. It also inspired me to convert my Viel to variable speed. (This turned out to be a longterm project. I ended up putting many hours into converting two Viels and a Kally. With help from fellow bessexers, I posted several lengthy topics detailing the process in the General Conversation tab.)
I especially like the soft grip of the Wolff (Twice as Sharp) scissors holder. They are sold in three different clamp widths. I chose the regular width. In younger tool buying days, I would have all three, however, I have found the one size adequate for my low volume needs.
Max checks in occasionally. He is a very helpful guy. I have enjoyed several emails and telephone calls with him over the years. If he doesn't reply, contact him. He will gladly share his years of experience.
There is one question I have been meaning to ask Max regarding his comment about the Viel scissors clamp being "adequate": The original Viel clamp was redesigned several years ago. Was he commenting about the original clamp or the redesigned version?
Ken
ps When my adaptor arrived from Jim Cammon, he had forgotten to ream the lock screw hole. The adaptor fit was too tight. A ball pein hammer quickly corrected this, although it also meant that I could not remove the adaptor to use my Viel clamp. My heat gun solved this in short order. A minor bit of reaming at my local machine shop corrected the difficulty. If your adaptor does not have a sliding fit, correct it before moving on.
Now this has me wondering about a scissor attachment for my new Kalamazoo 1SM... I watched a local sharpener sharpen quite a few items at a local shop last week. Including 2 pairs of scissors. It looked surprisingly straight forward. He used a grinding wheel setup, which was designed for scissors, with a clamp and arm that looked very familiar. The grinder had a table of values stuck to the top of it, showing the edge angles for different kinds of scissors: Pinking shears, etc. Though my local guy found the angle by inspection: Rotating the grinding wheel with his hand and scratching the bevel of the scissor arm until it hit the whole bevel. Then he kept that clamp locked at that angle and sharpened that arm.
Finishing was surprisingly simple too: He used a finger stone, which I think was an India. Lubricated with kerosene, he just rubbed the stone lightly on the flat back side of the arm, and then again lightly on the beveled side, to make sure the burr had not flipped over.
I think I could do scissors. It's not nearly as mysterious as it is made out to be every time it's discussed on sharpening forums.
Thanks for the replies. I watched the video last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did pick up a few tips. Like Ken said, I was hoping he would elaborate on why the Viel clamp was "adequate" and why it was worth upgrading to the Wolff. It would be nice to know whether he was using the new version or the older one too. I'm pretty new to sharpening in general so I'm pretty sure the Viel will be more than adequate for my needs. I'm in Canada too, so shipping from the states makes other options much more expensive.
Thanks again. I've still got a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to exploring these forums more.
01-07-2020, 09:51 PM (This post was last modified: 01-08-2020, 11:43 AM by Rupert Lucius.)
(01-06-2020, 11:19 AM)streetcore Wrote: Thanks for the replies. I watched the video last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did pick up a few tips. Like Ken said, I was hoping he would elaborate on why the Viel clamp was "adequate" and why it was worth upgrading to the Wolff. It would be nice to know whether he was using the new version or the older one too. I'm pretty new to sharpening in general so I'm pretty sure the Viel will be more than adequate for my needs. I'm in Canada too, so shipping from the states makes other options much more expensive.
Thanks again. I've still got a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to exploring these forums more.
Andy
There are other forum members that sharpen scissors - one that i know of - who has all of the three mentioned clamps, the Wolff is his favorite.
Another professional sharpener only uses the Wolff clamps.
(01-06-2020, 11:19 AM)streetcore Wrote: Thanks for the replies. I watched the video last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did pick up a few tips. Like Ken said, I was hoping he would elaborate on why the Viel clamp was "adequate" and why it was worth upgrading to the Wolff. It would be nice to know whether he was using the new version or the older one too. I'm pretty new to sharpening in general so I'm pretty sure the Viel will be more than adequate for my needs. I'm in Canada too, so shipping from the states makes other options much more expensive.
Thanks again. I've still got a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to exploring these forums more.
Andy
There are other forum members that sharpen scissors - one that i know of - who has all of the three mentioned clamps, the Wolff is his favorite.
Another professional sharpener will only used his Wolff clamps.
Rupert
2017 was a long time ago when you deal in blade sharpening. shortly after that video, i carried my Wolf (TAS) arm into the shop and added an adapter so it would slide into the Viel slot. the stock Viel arm is ADEQUATE........Meaning it is narrow......guessing 3/8" wide or so. ADEQUATE for most scissors from time to time, but with many scissors the Wolf clamp is Superior due to the extra width like maybe 1/2" and 3/4" models......i have both, both i have never used the 1/2" one.......3/4" works good at farmers markets for large head trimmer and scissors........i guess one could even insert a big kitchen knife in it as well if one had the desire.
Sat. the 18th i have a invitation to sharpen at a 3 day Basket Weavers Convention.......that should be interesting adventure.
.
(01-06-2020, 11:19 AM)streetcore Wrote: Thanks for the replies. I watched the video last night. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did pick up a few tips. Like Ken said, I was hoping he would elaborate on why the Viel clamp was "adequate" and why it was worth upgrading to the Wolff. It would be nice to know whether he was using the new version or the older one too. I'm pretty new to sharpening in general so I'm pretty sure the Viel will be more than adequate for my needs. I'm in Canada too, so shipping from the states makes other options much more expensive.
Thanks again. I've still got a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to exploring these forums more.
Andy
There are other forum members that sharpen scissors - one that i know of - who has all of the three mentioned clamps, the Wolff is his favorite.
Another professional sharpener will only used his Wolff clamps.
Rupert
2017 was a long time ago when you deal in blade sharpening. shortly after that video, i carried my Wolf (TAS) arm into the shop and added an adapter so it would slide into the Viel slot. the stock Viel arm is ADEQUATE........Meaning it is narrow......guessing 3/8" wide or so. ADEQUATE for most scissors from time to time, but with many scissors the Wolf clamp is Superior due to the extra width like maybe 1/2" and 3/4" models......i have both, both i have never used the 1/2" one.......3/4" works good at farmers markets for large head trimmer and scissors........i guess one could even insert a big kitchen knife in it as well if one had the desire.
Sat. the 18th i have a invitation to sharpen at a 3 day Basket Weavers Convention.......that should be interesting adventure.
.
.
i forgot to add, i have heard that Wolf does not sell their arms any longer unless you have history with them......rumor maybe, but my buddy tried to purchase an arm and was denied. i think he said he Sharpening supplies is where he bought his arm and clamp....FYI
