EP/Spyderco UF rod clash (pictures)

[.357 mag]

So, my Sharpmaker isn't coming. (sucks I know) I could order another but I got thinking about something else. Maybe I could fit the Spyderco sharpmaker rod in the EP. Then I would have hassle free stones and would last just about forever. Also cheap and easy!

I happen to have a UF rod that I got for sharpening my serrated knives. So I put my thinking cap on and this is what I came up with.

First problem you run into is that the rod is 7 inches long. EP stones are 6 inches and the system is designed for that. So I removed the brass tube between the black ball and the blank holder and replaced it with in shorter item. In this case I used a nut I had around the house. Later I will replace the bolt with shorter brass tubing.



Second problem is the rod isn't made for the system! The differance is the EP rod that runs ontop of the stone will now run along side the Spyderco rod. From my sharpening so far, you will have to lower your angle about 3-4 to sharpen the angle you want. (if you want 18 degrees you will have to set at 14-15.)







And last but not least, IT WORKS!!! Not as mirror polish as I would like. I'm betting because I didn't have a stone between my 600 grit Congress stone and the UF rod.





I will be ordering a medium rod and a fine rod soon. More to come!!

[2cha]

Way to think outside the box!!! Thanks for sharing your innovation.

[jackknifeh]

Great thinking. I wanted to try my double stuff something like you did but it is only 5" long. I thought about contacting EP to see if I could buy another brass tube. I think I would have to cut it to fit holding a 5" stone using it with the one that is already on there. That would move the front stone holder closer to the other one. I never persued it though. I have the UF rod that you used and may try your idea. If Ben would sell me a brass rod I could cut it and replace the existing one with a shorter one doing what your nut is doing. Do you know where you are going to get your brass tubing?

Jack

[.357 mag]

Great thinking. I wanted to try my double stuff something like you did but it is only 5" long. I thought about contacting EP to see if I could buy another brass tube. I think I would have to cut it to fit holding a 5" stone using it with the one that is already on there. That would move the front stone holder closer to the other one. I never persued it though. I have the UF rod that you used and may try your idea. If Ben would sell me a brass rod I could cut it and replace the existing one with a shorter one doing what your nut is doing. Do you know where you are going to get your brass tubing?

Jack

I have it aready. I found a brass flang that fits. Its from a bathroom fixture I had left. I have to cut it down a little but its all good.

I'm going to call Ben today and buy both of the blank plastic holders because I will cut into them to seat the rod better in place. Right now the rod just sits on the plastice pieces and will come loose if you put to much pressure on it. Work in progress!!

[.357 mag]

Also, keep the EP rod on the right or left side but don't switch sides when you sharpen both sides of the knife. I've found that is changes the angle by a bunch.

[jackknifeh]

I have it aready. I found a brass flang that fits. Its from a bathroom fixture I had left. I have to cut it down a little but its all good.

I'm going to call Ben today and buy both of the blank plastic holders because I will cut into them to seat the rod better in place. Right now the rod just sits on the plastice pieces and will come loose if you put to much pressure on it. Work in progress!!

I remember now. I have the double stuff but thought about getting the grits seperate and gluing them to the blanks for the EP to hold. With your idea the blanks could be cut to the length to hold a 5" stone without empty blank area. That makes it easy for the stone to drop off the knife edge. You can imagine what that could do to an edge. Of course that would happen on your last stroke after spending an hour or two on a re-profiled, razor sharp, mirror polished edge.


Jack
PS: I already sent Ben an email asking about the tubes. He's going to think we are redesigning the sharpener. I know it's not the first time though.

[.357 mag]

PS: I already sent Ben an email asking about the tubes. He's going to think we are redesigning the sharpener. I know it's not the first time though.

That's what is great about this system. I've been thinking to. Another thing to do is remove the brass spacer completely, and fit the 701 stones in there.

[.357 mag]

I fugured since I have the UF rod is there, why can't I sharpen serrations?



I worked good. Was able to sharpen the edge with a fixed angle, take my time and hit the whole edge. Worked great.

[.357 mag]

To keep the rod into place, I notched out the middle of the plastic pieces that would hold the blank in place. I can still mount EP stones with no problem. Now the rod will stay in a fixed position and I will be able to mount the rod in the same spot everytime.





I will be ordering the medium and fine rods soon and use the congress stone for just reprofiling. It will be nice to have a clean system that I won't always have to use water.

[Donut]

Hey Mag, you know that Congress tools sells triangle shaped stones that are an approximate fit for the sharpmaker, right? Also, those stones are 6" long.

[.357 mag]

Hey Mag, you know that Congress tools sells triangle shaped stones that are an approximate fit for the sharpmaker, right? Also, those stones are 6" long.

I didn't know that. I would assume you would have to use oil or water with them. I like spyderco's stones which I why I'm trying to go this route. If spyderco made a UF pocket stone, i would have just got them but they don't. Going this route, i will be able to sharpen recurve blades easier too.

[SQSAR]

That is a brilliant idea using the SM rods on an EP to do serrations. Will try that in the morning to see for myself. Thanks!

[.357 mag]

That is a brilliant idea using the SM rods on an EP to do serrations. Will try that in the morning to see for myself. Thanks!

Yup, I'm brilliant! It works great.

[.357 mag]

PS.. I'm at about 30 degrees!!!!

[razorsharp]

i do that with my lansky rods and diamond steel sometimes, (on my home made EP) its a great idea

[Slash]

Looks like a great way to handle recurves.