Powered Sharpener Setup Recommendations

[grepper]

Ok, thanks, I'll order the blue. Yes, grepper sent me all the info last night about the Kallyrest. It looks very nice. I was wondering how it would be made to wrap around to the front if someone decided to do it. I'm still trying to decide.

I don't understand what you mean by wrap around to the front.

[tyee]

Great, can't wait to try it out. I also ordered the belts from rshughes, being sent to my stepdaughter who lives in CA but orders a lot of stuff sent to WA state. RSHughes only ship via UPS, Fedex or DHL, no USPS. UPS, Fedex brokerage is too high, and for DHL I needed my own DHL account, so you can see why I chose WA state!

Wrap around, I meant just the design technique to get from the post to the sharpening position. It doesn't really wrap around, your right.

[blgentry]

Yes, grepper sent me all the info last night about the Kallyrest. It looks very nice. I was wondering how it would be made to wrap around to the front if someone decided to do it. I'm still trying to decide.

Having an angle guide has changed the game for me.  I did a number of blades freehand before I got the kallyrest.  They worked.  But some of them have some ugly places where I made the bevel much wider than the rest of the blade.  Still very sharp.  But ugly bevels.

The angle guide helps me keep it far more consistent.  It also lets me put a number on things if I want to:  "This blade was sharpened at 12 degrees per side."  Not all that important, but if you're a sharpening nut like I am, sometimes you want to quantify things.

...which is also one of the reasons I bought the EOU BESS tester.  Now I can put a number on sharpness.  I can do my normal tests with phonebook paper, hair shaving, fingernail stick, three finger test, etc.  But I can't really precisely say anything with those tests other than:  yes it passed, no it failed, or it passed and it seems better than normal.  With the EOU tester, I can say:  140, 160, 225, etc.  ...and not be satisfied with that 225 edge until I can get it under 200.

Which has also taught me some things about deburring that I didn't know.  Having the tester makes it brutally apparent when I have not done my job all the way.

I probably sound a bit like an advertisement for both of these products.  I tend to do that:  I evangelize for products I believe in.  I like both of these quite a bit.

Good luck with your sharpening.

Brian.

[grepper]

I think I get it.  Good question.  It attaches to the Kally on the left with a clamp on the mast.  The right side is open so there is nothing in the way when changing belts.  Changing belts is as quick and easy as with the stock platen.  Was that your question?

       

[tyee]

I guess it wasn't really a question, I was just wondering how to design one of these rests about a year ago but hadn't seen any until now, I think the design is awesome! Is there any youtube video showing it in operation? I know it's kind of obvious, place the knife on the rest and pull it across but videos are nice to watch!

Brian, thanks for the tips!

[grepper]

Sorry, there are no videos yet, but basically you have the idea.  Place the knife on the rest and pull it through.  You can’t just close your eyes and do it blindly however.  It takes a bit of practice and care must be taken to keep the blade flat against the rest, especially around the tip when most of the blade is off the rest.  

The other area where care must be taken is that because it sharpens edge trailing there is a tendency for the blade to be pulled into the belt and over the front of the rest.  This is easily resolved by placing an index finger against the side of the rest and on the spine of the blade while gently pushing the knife against your finger as it’s pulled across.  I have found that with a little practice it’s not really an issue.  Nonetheless, it’s been mentioned in the limited feedback I’ve received, but the finger on the spine of the blade trick seems to have resolved it as far as I know.

Like any power equipment you actually have to pay attention and take care while using it, but it’s basically tool rest, not rocket science.  It’s a lot like sharpening a lawn mower blade on a bench grinder.  It's not particularly difficult and after a couple of blades it’s pretty easy, but it does take practice to become really proficient.

[Rupert Lucius]

Mr. Grepper

Up and off your chair bottom - and start marketing.

Beautiful workmanship - for sure not a prototype or one off.

Sharpening Supplies would be a candidate?

You may have my Email address?  If the answer is yes, please send me a hard number and we will go from there.

Your
Friend
Rupert

[grepper]

Yes Dear. I told you it was on my to-do list! Um…, sorry I said that. I’ll get right on it Honey.

Kidding aside, thanks for the well deserved nudge Mr. Rupert.

[Rupert Lucius]

As you know I am in my late, late 80's and if we do not get something going - we will be doing it in some other life.

Rupert

[blgentry]

Oh look a video on the Kally Rest. 





Brian.