I haven't seen this as an issue, in fact, I like the fact they "stand up", makes stone changing even easier. (I actually tried to fashion a clip on the original arms to do this).

I don't think they need lube, but if you do, I would do what Fred used... something dry, that won't attract debris. Otherwise it might become gunky?

I also finish my knives by doing edge trailing strokes from the tip to the heel. This sets up the "teeth" in a direction that facilitates slicing. Not totally necessary, but if you try both ways, you should see a difference. An alternative would be straight up and down, but I like the first way better.

TedS wrote:


I'll be interested to hear your experiences once you put them to use and also after you sharpen them. Will you sharpen them first or use them as is and wait to sharpen until they need it?

X50CrMoV15 is probably the most common steel coming out of Germany right now. Ted, how have your knives held up so far since you got them?

TedS wrote:


I think Curtis is right - the paper has a grain and is easy or difficult to cut depending on the direction of the cut.

I test sharpness in a few different ways... Slicing paper (for kitchen knives), shaving just a bit of arm hair (all knives), and actually cutting rope (for edc's to check for bite). Slicing paper does have to do with how you hold each. Cutting directly down perpendicular to the edge is harder to do then slicing at an angle...

I'm still working on that, it's actually very close to completion.

Most paper has a grain... so it will cut easier in one direction than the other.

I personally have found that, as my sharpening experience increased, the level of sharpness went up. There are a lot of subtle factors in sharpening you'll discover, everything from how you hold the stone, how much pressure you use, the direction/pattern you move the stone, etc. all can effect the level of sharpness.

Do you have any strops? Light stropping can clean up an edge and noticeably increase the level of sharpness.

Also, as your stones break in more, you'll get a more refined edge.

(Just throwing a few thoughts out there).

Billabong wrote:


I'm away with my family for the weekend without my computer and giving long answers on my phone is a big challenge. In a nutshell, we may eventually have all the Basic Kit units shipping with the screws and washers, but it's a slow process with our factory to get that done, so we probably won't see them shipping that way until the second half of next year. I don't personally find it to be a problem but do recognize that others do, hence the option to send yours in for us to mod, if you're not satisfied with the arms as they are.

Welcome to the forum Ted!

Just outta curiosity, did you find a problem with the arms you received, or just bothered because you expected something different? The reason I ask is, most users have had excellent results with the standard arms, I think only a few have needed the pin replaced with the washer/screw modification.

I think because a few we're pretty vocal about the pins, it was perceived as a problem that needed replacing. I'm not sure of the numbers, but I'm guessing that if it was a large number it would be replaced, if for no other reason than it would quickly become time consuming and costly to replace a large number after they're sent.

If you want/can do it yourself, drop them an email... and they'll send a set to you.

I have the screws, but have yet to replace the pins, they've been working great for me. (I also have the new ball joints, but still trade off with the original arms.)

Hope this helps. Clay pays attention to threads like these, so posting your initial thoughts I'm sure is helpful.