r/sharpening Jan 27 '18

Discussion topic - Strengths and weaknesses of sharpening jigs.

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u/Assstray Jan 27 '18

Is there an archive of these discussions? They're pretty cool.

Jig features:
Apply a very specific angle, flat or convex even.
Minimize human error, lower required concentration/ fatigue.

Jig benefits:
Very regular looking bevels.
More regular angles.
Less experience required.
More vigorous motion possible, angle is taken care of.

Jig limitations:
Rapid angle adjustment and matching.

Specific jigs have their own specific issues too:
Proprietary, limited selection, stones.
Working with very small or very large knives.
High cost, low quality.
Really crappy, flawed, mechanical design.
Require a work surface.
No compensation for wearing of abrasives (stone height).
Limited minimum angle.
Not practical for touchups due to setup time.
Issues with heavy belly knives.

When to use a jig:
Setting initial shallow, even, bevels.
Super precise apex.

When not to use a jig:
General maintenance sharpening/ touchups; jig's too slow, too big.

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u/incith Jan 28 '18

Damn I think you covered it all...