I've looked at this for a long time and studied different materials with various durometers but there are some challenges:

1. If it's a piece that goes over the top like a sleeve it will limit how low an angle can be achieved because it will add thickness to the outside of the top of the jaws.
2. I've looked at milling a channel on the inside faces of the jaws to fit a rubber piece but am concerned about the weakening it there where it's thin.

If it's something a lot of people want, I'll talk to the shop about removing a little material and then try gluing some hard, grippy rubber.


PhilipPasteur wrote:

Of course... nothing is ever as simple as it seems on the surface.

I was thinking of the sleeve approach, but did not consider the low angle aspect. For me, and with about all of the blades that would require it, this would likely not be an issue, as long as I could get, say 16 degrees.
They could be removed when the blade did not need them for support, or the angle needs to be at the minimum possible.

I have been able to do fine with double stick tape, but I don't like the cleanup. I have been using Scotch blue painters tape and a couple of layers open weave soft bandage gauze. Again, this works out just fine for holding the blade straight and protecting it, but it is fiddly. It also collects abrasives and requires another cleaning step. If I am not careful I have dulled the finish of the blade slightly by rubbing the abrasive off. I did learn, I now clean it under hot running water.
I guess we all have become extremely lazy...


How about designing something where I just have to THINK about it and the knife gets sharp...

Clay,
It is because of this kind of customer responsiveness and forward thinking that I am happy to pay a premium for this system.

I had a thought based on your consideration of milling out a piece of the clamp. Might it be easier to just create a pair of say aluminum or hard rubber spacers coated with soft material such as the rubber you described that fit the length of the vice with cutout holes for existing screws and if needed longer screws. The spacer could be notched at the top to allow the softer grippy rubber to prevent uneven pressure at the top of the vice.

The advantages to this I think are that it would be usable with the existing clamp making it a cheaper accessory for those who need or want the rubber without buying a whole new clamp and a definite step up from asking users to put different kinds of tape on their knives to protect the finish or hold some knives so they don't slip.

In any event, thank you for your consideration of this since I am now vested in your (our) system. This seems to be the one thing that does not feel finished or complete on an otherwise beautiful system. I know most guys here will find this a minor annoyance since they are very handy and have great resources and skills but possibly there are others like me that just don't want to have to find home made remedies after spending so much for a sharpening system.

Thanks
Scott

Scott,
Use some chamois on the Shuns, they are FFG by and large and can use the help for dead center.
Plus, I use something on everything to protect the blade.

Good luck!

Thanks Zig,
I think I like the chamois better since I am not to crazy about the idea of cleaning off sticky tape gum from my expensive blades. This is a hobby for me and if it's not fun, it becomes a job and it won't last. Not sure what FFG is though.

ScottSherman wrote:


FFG= Full Flat Grind (or ground).
An unbroken taper from the spine to the primary bevel.

Phil