Kazak Pro - Just when you thought you already have enough great sharpeners....

[777 Edge]

So, my collection grows to the level of ridiculous right now as I just got myself a "Kazak Pro Black" with pedestal and accessories to add to my list of systems. Browsing on Gritomatic always makes me spend too much money...

I received it recently and oh Man, what a nice system! They have a very impressive smooth and accurate angle adjusting system (similar to the TSPROF K03 but a slightly different design) but what really impresses me is the LED light system. I never even knew how much I would LOVE the articulated arm and light system while sharpening. It's a game changer.

What is also very nice, is the fact that the whole clamp bar (with clamps and knife attached) is removable with a quick release lever and it makes for easy inspecting of the edge. Their optional magnetic knife table is also very clever. The same unit can be used for knives, chisels and other tools. Their optional angled adapters to mount their clamps vertically is also genius. It means that you can use the same clamps for scissors as you do for your knives.

What also impresses me about the Kazak system, is their ingenuity with their accessories. They have an optional Hinged table accessory that is simply genius - the same unit is a magnetic table for small or large blades, and it is a scissors, chisel and other tool clamping system all-in-one.

I would say this is definitely a top ranking competitor right up there with TSPROF and Hapstone in quality and usability, but it is even better thought-out on many other levels.

Kazak PRO [BLACK] Knife Sharpener

Kazak Sharpening System is designed for sharpening kitchen, hunting, folding knives of various shapes and sizes. Thanks to the precise and stable fixation of the knife in the clips of the device, as well as the ability to turn the knife without removing it from the clips, sharpening is fast and...

www.gritomatic.com

Has anyone else tried their systems? If so, share your thoughts.

 

[crn3371]

Looks nice, I like the light attachment, providing it works. It is on the pricier side of things though, a lot will depend on 3rd party support. Currently I think the Hapstone system is the sweet spot in the sharpening market, well built, well priced, and plenty of support.

 

[Daniel]

We are truly living in the "Golden Age" of knife sharpeners!!

 

[Mister Coffee]

777 Edge If that were a little less complicated, you could assemble a nuclear device with it.


Just kidding. Actually, it looks irresistibly cool.

 

[777 Edge]

Looks nice, I like the light attachment, providing it works. It is on the pricier side of things though, a lot will depend on 3rd party support. Currently I think the Hapstone system is the sweet spot in the sharpening market, well built, well priced, and plenty of support.

I agree, Hapstone is still King when it comes to value for money and a great product.

The light attachment system...it works WONDERFULLY and I don't ever want to sharpen without one now!

I spoke with Konstantin at Gritomatic, and they will apparently be selling light fitting attachments for most other sharpening systems soon, including Hapstone and TSPROF! Can't wait!

 

[CplMurdock]

I was recently shopping for an upgrade to my trusty old Lansky guided system that has sharpened many knives for me over the years. My search landed me on the Gritomatic page and with the decision I think many of us has faced at one time or another…. What guided system to buy? Is it the TSProf, the Hapstone, Edge Pro, or at the bottom of my list and mostly out of contention the KME. I debated over the size for storage, the upgrade ability options, ease of use, and a great deal on reviews. I ended up ordering a TSProf Blitz 360 since 95% of what I sharpen are the folders and small fixed blades that I carry daily. I also am currently finishing graduate school and have limited space until I am done and we once again have a garage so unit size was a consideration.

Literally a day after my blitz was delivered the Kazak units were listed on the Gritomatic website and I was immediately impressed by the quality that appears to be evident in photos. I know that I will one day add at least one more system to my stash of tools and I am hoping that by then there are some good video and written reviews of these units. The price ranges and options seem to be in line with what the other guys are offering but the quality of materials and workmanship “at least from photos”, looks to be above and beyond what you get from Hapstone, Edge Pro, or TSProf.

 

[777 Edge]

I ended up ordering a TSProf Blitz 360 since 95% of what I sharpen are the folders and small fixed blades that I carry daily.

You'll love your new Blitz 360. I have one of them and they are solid, good sharpeners and excellent quality. Perfect for your folders and smaller knives. BTW, you will easily be able to to kitchen knives on it of you're careful, just watch the flex on the tip and don't push too hard, especially with a long and thin blade. In my opinion the little Blitz clamps are some of the best around for their size.

...but the quality of materials and workmanship “at least from photos”, looks to be above and beyond what you get from Hapstone, Edge Pro, or TSProf.

The Kazak Pro quality is excellent, far above anything like my KME, Edge Pro or most other systems but I wouldn't call it better quality than the Tsprof or Hapstone systems. Kazak is more innovative in some areas, but not necessarily better quality.

Kazak, Hapstone and TSPROF are all pretty much on-par with quality.

 

[Ramazan Cakir]

You'll love your new Blitz 360. I have one of them and they are solid, good sharpeners and excellent quality. Perfect for your folders and smaller knives. BTW, you will easily be able to to kitchen knives on it of you're careful, just watch the flex on the tip and don't push too hard, especially with a long and thin blade. In my opinion the little Blitz clamps are some of the best around for their size.



The Kazak Pro quality is excellent, far above anything like my KME, Edge Pro or most other systems but I wouldn't call it better quality than the Tsprof or Hapstone systems. Kazak is more innovative in some areas, but not necessarily better quality.

Kazak, Hapstone and TSPROF are all pretty much on-par with quality.

Out of curiosity, given you own both TSprof K03 and the Kazak Pro: which one of these systems best handle pressure applied to the knife in terms of overall flex? Also, does the Kazak Pro need adjusting of the angle indicator upon first use or does it come perfectly accurate - I only ask because the TSprof one needed adjustment back in the day..

 

[777 Edge]

I'd say they are both pretty equal when it comes to flex. I don't apply any force when sharpening, so neither of them gives me any flexing issues at all. The Kazak comes standard with milled aluminium clamps, not spring steel clamps. Some spring steel TSPROF clamps have a little flex, but less so in the whole milled TSPROF clamps.

As for the angle indicator, I really don't use them at all. They are more than a gimmick and just a rough reference than anything. I always use a digital angle cube on all my systems.

The analogue angle indicator (or angle marking on some other systems), is really only for a very specific calibrated or adjusted width of blade and specific length of clamp. It will not be accurate at all when a wider blade is used, or when shorter / longer clamps are used.. I would really not rely purely on the analogue angle dial if you wanted accurate angles.

One thing I love about the Kazak system, is their optional accessories which are really well though out and much better & more versatile than most other systems.

 

[Ramazan Cakir]

Thanks for the info. Are there any benefits to the spring steel clamps over milled aluminium ones?

 

[777 Edge]

Thanks for the info. Are there any benefits to the spring steel clamps over milled aluminium ones?

Yes, depending on the grind of the knife you're sharpening and how best to clamp it. Most knives work very well in both Kazak and TSPROF whole milled clamps. (Especially if you use 2 clamps. One clamp on the small flat tang area and the other closer to the tip of the knife).

If the knife has no flat area, combined with the fact that it's a full flat grind blade with an aspect ratio that doesn't suit the closure angle of your whole milled clamps, then the spring steel clamps often work better.

The manufacturer that has the most options of clamp internal closure shapes and angles with whole milled clamps, is KakBritva. You can purchase them from Gritomatic in the USA if you're ever interested. Gritomatic also sells clamp adapters so they can be used on various sharpening systems.

 

[Ramazan Cakir]

Yes, depending on the grind of the knife you're sharpening and how best to clamp it. Most knives work very well in both Kazak and TSPROF whole milled clamps (especially if you use 1 clamp on the small flat tang area and the other closer to the tip of the knife).

If the knife has no flat area, combined with the fact that it's a full flat grind blade with an aspect ratio that doesn't suit the closure angle of your whole milled clamps, then the spring steel clamps often work better.

One company that has a LOT of options with clamp internal closure shape and angles with whole milled clamps, is KakBritva. You can purchase them from Gritomatic in the USA if you're ever interested. Gritomatic also sells clamp adapters so they can be used on various systems.

It seems Tsprof also launched an electronic inclinometer/stoneholder in one with their K03 Pro 2022 model called the Axiscube, yet they are only available from their Russian site for some reason

 

[777 Edge]

It seems Tsprof also launched an electronic inclinometer/stoneholder in one with their K03 Pro 2022 model called the Axiscube, yet they are only available from their Russian site for some reason

Now that's friggen cool. I just checked it out, seems like it's called the Axicube-i.

I've been working on making something just like that for my own Leading Edge sharpening system that I have available online for free. I've been struggling to find a supplier that can make an angle cube small enough to suit the needs of installing it in a stone clamp. I'm glad TSPROF has managed to source one from somewhere.

The first place the Axicube-i may likely be available in the USA, would be Gritomatic. I hope they have it soon!

 

[Paul57]

So, my collection grows to the level of ridiculous right now as I just got myself a "Kazak Pro Black" with pedestal and accessories to add to my list of systems. Browsing on Gritomatic always makes me spend too much money...

I received it recently and oh Man, what a nice system! They have a very impressive smooth and accurate angle adjusting system (similar to the TSPROF K03 but a slightly different design) but what really impresses me is the LED light system. I never even knew how much I would LOVE the articulated arm and light system while sharpening. It's a game changer.

What is also very nice, is the fact that the whole clamp bar (with clamps and knife attached) is removable with a quick release lever and it makes for easy inspecting of the edge. Their optional magnetic knife table is also very clever. The same unit can be used for knives, chisels and other tools. Their optional angled adapters to mount their clamps vertically is also genius. It means that you can use the same clamps for scissors as you do for your knives.

What also impresses me about the Kazak system, is their ingenuity with their accessories. They have an optional Hinged table accessory that is simply genius - the same unit is a magnetic table for small or large blades, and it is a scissors, chisel and other tool clamping system all-in-one.

I would say this is definitely a top ranking competitor right up there with TSPROF and Hapstone in quality and usability, but it is even better thought-out on many other levels.

Kazak PRO [BLACK] Knife Sharpener

Kazak Sharpening System is designed for sharpening kitchen, hunting, folding knives of various shapes and sizes. Thanks to the precise and stable fixation of the knife in the clips of the device, as well as the ability to turn the knife without removing it from the clips, sharpening is fast and...

www.gritomatic.com

Has anyone else tried their systems? If so, share your thoughts.

I just bought and received this same system as well. I was using a Lansky sharpener for many years before this, and always thought about something much more precise. I came across the Kazak system on YouTube and was pretty much sold right then and there. After receiving the Kazak system I am really impressed with the quality throughout. I originally was looking at the UBR model with some of the upgraded attachments, and found the Kazak Pro Black to have everything I needed. I also purchased the CN2 attachment, along with the undercut clamps. I'm still trying to figure out the CN2 as it came without instructions. The only video was by KnifeKrazy on YouTube and was still not as in depth as I would like. Time will tell.

 

[777 Edge]

I just bought and received this same system as well. I was using a Lansky sharpener for many years before this, and always thought about something much more precise. I came across the Kazak system on YouTube and was pretty much sold right then and there. After receiving the Kazak system I am really impressed with the quality throughout. I originally was looking at the UBR model with some of the upgraded attachments, and found the Kazak Pro Black to have everything I needed. I also purchased the CN2 attachment, along with the undercut clamps. I'm still trying to figure out the CN2 as it came without instructions. The only video was by KnifeKrazy on YouTube and was still not as in depth as I would like. Time will tell.

That's awesome, congratulations on your Kazak!

 

[Letoff]

Dang it !!
I'm trying to wait until the blade show in Atlanta the first week of June before I buy a new sharpening system. You guys are making it tougher and tougher as I stay on this forum. I want to see these sharpening systems in person before I buy one but you're making it very difficult !!
My current setup is the Blitz 360 which I do love, have no complaints and no problems with. Used it last night and did a fantastic job.

A Ninja would be proud to own this knife after I was done with it!!

 

[777 Edge]

Dang it !!
I'm trying to wait until the blade show in Atlanta the first week of June before I buy a new sharpening system. You guys are making it tougher and tougher as I stay on this forum.

I'll tempt you with yet another one...

Just yesterday, I received my TSProf Pioneer. This (I think) is the first one in the USA. I'm testing and will be working on some small accessories for for it.

So far, it's very nice and will be very affordable.

This will be TSProf's entry level sharpener, but I can already see it will do a stellar job with most knives. Excellent clamps, even though they are smaller than the K03/Kadet clamps. They clamp most knives that I've tried very well and their geometry works well.

 

[Letoff]

You can't hide money !!
Congrats on the score. Pics ??

 

[777 Edge]

Congrats on the score. Pics ??

Here you go, just some basic pics for now.

 

[Paul57]

I originally looked at that unit, along with the Kazak UBR, but then lost control and bought the Kazak Pro Black with the CN2 attachment. Still trying to make heads and tails out of that because there are no instructions. Curious to how you posted the pictures?