Razor Edge Systems guides

samuraistuart · Feb 6, 2015

Does anyone here use the Razor Edge Systems clamp on guides? (Besides the guy behind the keyboard who has his hand raised!) I love 'em. They come in two sizes. Regular and "cub" I think they call it. I actually have two of each. I had a set from years ago, and I found that the cub guide (the other one too for that matter), when clamped on blade properly, was WAY TOO high of an angle. Like factory type edge angles......YUCH.

So I took a saw to it and cut down each side of the cub guide to lower the angle you get. By mounting the guide on the blade at different positions (further in/further out), and using trigonometry (about the ONLY thing I paid attention to in high school), can figure out the angle and change as needed.

Usually pocket knives with small blades (ala swiss army classic and slightly bigger) the guide simply cannot be used. But from that size on up, I can usually use one of the two (actually four because I have two sets and modified the first set) guides and set the exact angle I want.

Rarely do I ever want under 10 dps, and the cut down guide will do that when placed properly on the blade. Usually my edges are 15dps, and the guides work really well.

There is an issue with the stone abrading the guide faces. I have found that if you can concentrate pressure being applied to the blade, the guide face will not suffer too bad at all. Tape works well to minimize the problem as well, and it is really only an issue with diamond stones. I find that waterstones, especially if you don't press down on the guide itself (just let it glide), the wear is minimal. The people at Razor Edge will tell you that you should only use the guides on their stones (which I don't know too much about....but they are proprietary I think), and they will not honor warranty if you use their guides on any stones except theirs.

I just thought I would throw that out there and see if anyone else uses them. Like I said, I really do like them, because I can pick an angle, stick with it accurately, and use any stone I like. The edges formed look like factory edges....cosmetically anyway. Nice and straight! And dead flat bevels.

Something to be said for slightly convex edge bevels due to hand sharpening without guides, tho!!!

samuraistuart · Mar 4, 2015

So NO ONE uses these things besides me?

ricklee4570 · Mar 4, 2015

I have used the Razor Edge system before. I particularly liked their coarse stone as it was really good at removing metal in a hurry. I never got used to the blade clamping system and moved on to the Edge Pro system.

abey67 · Mar 4, 2015

I have used them in the past and they helped me understand the importance of keeping a consistent angle. They worked very well and you can use them on any type of stone.

Spey · Mar 4, 2015

I picked one up years ago at a trade show, but found other options to be better suited to my needs.

I think the "concept" of the design is better done by companies producing guide clamps that do not need to ride in the stone. Example: DMT Aligner Clamp - which can be adjusted so the blade edge rides the stone as the guide arm rides the substrate the stone rests on. This clamp can be used with any size stone, or with the "kit" stones & holders.

I have used this type (guide ride substrate) of sharpening guide since many years ago for sharpening wood chisels, etc.

I the the Razor Edge is a great compact idea, but believe their to be superior options thru the decades.

tiguy7 · Mar 4, 2015

I used to use them. To cut down on set up time, I traced the clamp fingers on the blade with a diamond glass cutter. That way I always got the clamp located in the same spot. I have moved on to equipment of my own design.

stitchawl · Mar 4, 2015

I bought my first set of them from John at a trade show in Houston back in '75. I was impressed by the speed at which they could be used to work up an edge. Over the years I've bought just about every guided device made except WE, and find them all to be quite effective for some things and useless for others. I've worn out two sets of the Razor Edge clamps since then, even though I really don't use them very often. I prefer the Edge Pro for serious work on larger blades, the DMT Aligner for simple tasks on smaller ones, and the Sharpmaker for touch ups. The RE clamps were indispensable back in the day for Bear broadheads, but these days bow hunters all use replaceable inserts.

Stitchawl

bgentry · Mar 5, 2015

I have kind of a soft spot for Razor Edge stuff. I first saw the book and tools advertised in some catalog when I was maybe 13 or 14 and I really wanted them, but I didn't have any money to speak of. I thought about that stuff on and off for years before finally getting a copy of the book. Later, before I had any good sharpening tools, I was shopping and called Razor Edge up. At that time the person answering the phone and running the company was John's daughter; one of the girls shaving his face with a hunting knife in the book!

I don't know who is running it now, but that's always stuck with me: That this was a real deal ground up family business. That's really cool in my opinion.

Brian.

samuraistuart · Mar 5, 2015

OK, cool, thanks guys! I had posted the thread a while back with no one responding, and I am thinking, "No one knows about these things".

I agree about them riding on the stone. Not good at all, especially on diamond! That can be helped with a tape layer, but that comes off if you're using water or oil!

The DMT aligner clamp looks OK. I have never seen one, but they look flimzy to me, I dunno.

stitchawl · Mar 5, 2015

samuraistuart said:
The DMT aligner clamp looks OK. I have never seen one, but they look flimzy to me, I dunno.

They are. They are made of some sort of plastic, rather than metal, and 'look' like they will break easily. Mine has lasted me about 15 years now, often dumped into the bottom of a backpack, tackle box, or hunting bag. At home I use it with its own stones, but just as often (especially when used in the field) use it with sheets of sandpaper to keep the weight down. The only problem I ever had with the clamp was that the brass bushing for the screw worked loose from over-tightening the clamp about 10 years ago. A dab of epoxy restored it, and it's been fine ever since.

I've found it to be the handiest clamp system on the market for small to mid-sized blades. (2"-6") Good range of angle adjustments, easy to use other stones or abrasives besides its own stones, holds the blades well, and weighs next to nothing so great portability.

Stitchawl

Spey · Mar 6, 2015

@ stichawl +1 on your comments

Major attributes: portability & versatility.

I think I bought mine late 90's. Never had a problem with it (but a heavy hand friend, I been working with in sharpening, managed to break his first one within a couple months. One MUST understand pushing harder does not equal faster sharpening - it means broken and worn out equipment (especially true for diamond stones like those kitted with the aligner clamp when buying a package deal).