11-01-2017, 03:02 AM (This post was last modified: 11-01-2017, 04:03 AM by KnifeGrinders.)
(10-31-2017, 11:50 AM)Jan Wrote: KnifeGrinders, thanks for sharing the image of your guillotine for sharpness measurements. Really very nice and simple setup.
I have successfully experimented with Proxxon Drill Stand. It has a well designed feed lever, which operates via ball bearing system and offers very sensitive feed. Smooth and reproducible blade feeding reduces the scatter of BESS readings.
For me, as a Tormeker, it is sometimes important the measure the sharpness while the blade is mounted in the knife jig. Alternatively the Proxxon Machine Vise can be bolted to the headstock with jaws facing the table.
Jan
Jan, that's so cool. I've been having a similar drill press idle on the next bench all the time, and kept struggling to take a neat BESS score not taking the knife out of the jig. Thank you!
V
OK, show me yours and we'll show you ours. Those are right fine fixtures that you have designed there gentlemen! Ours is essentially the same but differs in that we lower the edge using a heavy, threaded steel wheel that rides on a thrust bearing. We use a different rendition, as well, that is spring tensioned from the bottom side. Thanks for sharing!
11-02-2017, 06:53 AM (This post was last modified: 11-02-2017, 07:25 AM by Jan.)
The shared images of different blade fixtures reminded me a quote from Exupery "When by mutation a new rose is born in a garden, all the gardeners rejoice."
Yes Jan, an excellent quotation, and as Agatha Christie looked at it "Invention arises directly from idleness, possibly laziness - to save oneself trouble." When we grew weary of cleaning up our paper and tomato messes some lazy sloth came up with an edge tester. Now we find that pushing down on the knife requires too much effort so we have to build a machine to push the knife down for us. To what depths of lassitude will we sink?
KnifeGrinders, we tried to come up with more knobs, adjustments and shiny things but ran out of ideas. I think that we were just too lazy to think about it any longer. A big to all.
I definitely think consistent weight feeding keeps BESS scores more accurate, with lower standard deviation, which is why I prefer the old KN100 and similar razor machine (sorry the model number eludes me).
Using a drill press sort of mechanism is a great idea for the newer generation BESS machines!
It's not lazy, it's another invention born of necessity! Right on!
11-02-2017, 01:54 PM (This post was last modified: 11-02-2017, 05:01 PM by EOU.)
You are absolutely correct on both counts Mark. Essentially, our feed devices convert our electronic units into upside down KN100's. The KN100 and ME110 are still the most accurate instruments that we have ever manufactured and control and stability are the primary reasons that they are. We still sell them because people still order them.
To jog your memory, the SHARP CHECK PT50A, PT50B, PT50C and ID75A represent model numbers for our electronic testers.
It just occurred to us that the instrument you are referring to as a "razor machine" is the old SE90 analog instrument. The SE90 was a short lived offering of ours that was directed to the straight edge razor users of the world. We figured that product would be a no brainer since the only accurate means they have of testing test a razor is on their face. The "no brainer" was on us as we tucked our tails between our legs and retreated from the marketplace. Apparently new technology isn't well received within the ancient art of straight razor sharpening. To this day, we have yet to receive a BESS number from a straight razor sharpener/user.
to all.
