This project is having some problems getting its finished product out of China because of Covid-19, but it is worth looking into.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laserknifeedgereader/laser-knife-edge-reader-for-better-knife-sharpening?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=knife%20angle
For reference see https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3104.0
Very interesting!
Ken
after having worked with the Catra for a long time, but always looking for a better solution, because holding the knife in the device was always too wobbly for me, i kept looking around and found the perfect device for me.
this goniometer has a magnet that holds the knife and I can get up to 5,5cm wide knives in. here is the link for all who are interested:
click on LASER GONIOMETER MASTER
https://sharpeningtool.eu/de/catalog/accessories# (https://sharpeningtool.eu/de/catalog/accessories#)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLgQAuZiY6o&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLgQAuZiY6o&feature=emb_logo)
cheers Hanns
I continue to learn from my longtime friend and mentor, Steve Bottorff. On Steve's recommendation, I purchased a Laser Knife Edge Reader. I believe it will prove a useful part of my knife sharpening. The design is clever. The laser component is bullet shaped, originally designed for bore sighting. The plastic component quickly becomes intuitive, even for someone like me who had never used a geniometer previously. I think this product offers a lot of bang for the buck.
I found the customer service excellent. Ken Leonard responded to my questions promptly.
Thanks, Steve, for the recommendation.
Ken
Laser Knife Edge Reader
I'm glad this popped up. I just ordered, perhaps the last one, from Amazon. I'd seen this before but was not aware that the had gone into production and were available. Good price.
I just ordered, the last one, from Amazon. The link now shows it is no longer available (https://www.amazon.com/Laser-Knife-Reader-sharp-precision/dp/B07RQW6PLR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3K3FOOV7IFH87&dchild=1&keywords=laser+knife+edge+reader&qid=1594300022&sprefix=laser+edge+reader%2Caps%2C297&sr=8-2).
I have on order also one of the LASER GONIOMETER MASTERs, but it seems to be held up indefinitely in shipping. Vetako reports that due to COVID-19 things are not making it out of the EU. It's been a month or more and there is no indication as tracking does not yield any useful information. I've given up on it at this point.
Rick
I found the same thing with Vetako. I wanted (and was ready with cash in hand) to order their Master+ Goniometer, but despite trying to contact them via email, telephone, and Facebook Messages - for every four or five communications I sent to them, I was lucky if I received one email back indicating whether the item was in stock, and/or what the shipping charges and arrangements would be to get the item to Canada. In the end they couldn't answer any of my questions.
I finally gave up.
I concluded that they're simply not at all set up to ship to North America, and actually have zero answers to any questions related to shipping to North America.
It's too bad, as it looks like incredibly well engineered equipment ... so nice that I may try again at some point, but not until I read of some successful North American Vetako customers.
Quote from: RickKrung on July 09, 2020, 03:24:45 PM
I have on order also one of the LASER GONIOMETER MASTERs, but it seems to be held up indefinitely in shipping. Vetako reports that due to COVID-19 things are not making it out of the EU. It's been a month or more and there is no indication as tracking does not yield any useful information. I've given up on it at this point.
Rick
Hi Rick,
at thze moment for example DHL dont send Packages to
USA
Kanada
Australia
Newzeeland
all because of covid-19
i have also orders here from customers from Kanada and Newzeeland. NO WAY
but we will test to send by FEDEX, they offer Transportaition anyways.
I know the owner of Vetako and will send him a Mail and ask to test fedex
cheers Hanns
Quote from: Roger M. on July 09, 2020, 05:14:03 PM
I found the same thing with Vetako. I wanted (and was ready with cash in hand) to order their Master+ Goniometer, but despite trying to contact them via email, telephone, and Facebook Messages - for every four or five communications I sent to them, I was lucky if I received one email back indicating whether the item was in stock, and/or what the shipping charges and arrangements would be to get the item to Canada. In the end they couldn't answer any of my questions.
I finally gave up.
I concluded that they're simply not at all set up to ship to North America, and actually have zero answers to any questions related to shipping to North America.
It's too bad, as it looks like incredibly well engineered equipment ... so nice that I may try again at some point, but not until I read of some successful North American Vetako customers.
Roger maybe i have 20 or so in my shop in the future so u can buy there. I answer all the time at the same day :)
cheers Hanns
Quote from: Hannsi1957 on July 09, 2020, 08:53:26 PM
Quote from: RickKrung on July 09, 2020, 03:24:45 PM
I have on order also one of the LASER GONIOMETER MASTERs, but it seems to be held up indefinitely in shipping. Vetako reports that due to COVID-19 things are not making it out of the EU. It's been a month or more and there is no indication as tracking does not yield any useful information. I've given up on it at this point.
Rick
Hi Rick,
at thze moment for example DHL dont send Packages to
USA
Kanada
Australia
Newzeeland
all because of covid-19
i have also orders here from customers from Kanada and Newzeeland. NO WAY
but we will test to send by FEDEX, they offer Transportaition anyways.
I know the owner of Vetako and will send him a Mail and ask to test fedex
cheers Hanns
Not sure about that. I just received a shipment from Germany via DHL. Took 3 days to get to Canada.
This is the Note on german DHL site:
Canada:
It is generally possible to send items to Canada (i.e. letters, packages, merchandise mail and parcels).
Due to the currently very limited transport capacities available, we will ship parcels to Canada by sea freight until further notice. We do not recommend sending parcels as "Premium" and would like to point out that significant delays in transit time must be expected.
Quote from: Hannsi1957 on July 09, 2020, 08:56:15 PM
Roger maybe i have 20 or so in my shop in the future so u can buy there. I answer all the time at the same day :)
cheers Hanns
What is the contact information for your shop Hanns?
i don't know if I can use this like this.
if not, the moderator can delete the contributor
www.schleifjunkies.de
the page is still in construction but I have tried to translate the most important things into English, French and Italian.
if there's any excitement to this, I'd like to write something to you.
cheers Hanns
Hanns,
The moderator does not have a problem with posting a link, as long as the forum does not become the marketing platform and the product does not directly compete with a Tormek product.
Ken
Quote from: Hannsi1957 on July 09, 2020, 08:53:26 PM
...snip...I know the owner of Vetako and will send him a Mail and ask to test fedex
cheers Hanns
Whatever... I've been in touch with Vetako, which is how I learned of the reason for not receiving my shipment. I doubt it will do me much good if they test FedEx and find that it works as I doubt they will ship a second unit without the first being returned first.
I've given up on them.
Rick
Quote from: Ken S on July 10, 2020, 04:46:41 PM
Hanns,
The moderator does not have a problem with posting a link, as long as the forum does not become the marketing platform and the product does not directly compete with a Tormek product.
Ken
Hi Ken,
because off this i hold back to write here the whole time :)
i dont want to make promotion here but i am always open to answer questions.
i do almost same with the wheels like Vadim and a few different tools that can make life easier with tormek.
cheers Hanns
Quote from: RickKrung on July 10, 2020, 04:53:20 PM
Quote from: Hannsi1957 on July 09, 2020, 08:53:26 PM
...snip...I know the owner of Vetako and will send him a Mail and ask to test fedex
cheers Hanns
Whatever... I've been in touch with Vetako, which is how I learned of the reason for not receiving my shipment. I doubt it will do me much good if they test FedEx and find that it works as I doubt they will ship a second unit without the first being returned first.
I've given up on them.
Rick
@Rick,
i stay in contact with the owner of Vetako.
I go on a Business trip to Prag at 23th this month.
My Plan is to buy maybe 15-20 Goniometers from him and sell this in my shop later.
I own one at myself and i think this is the best u can get because of the Knife holding magnet.
you just put the knife in and the measurement is ready without long alignment and shaking.
very simple.
next days i make a short video from each of my tools and how to use.
think this Goniometer will be one of this videos.
cheers Hanns
Quote from: RickKrung on July 09, 2020, 03:24:45 PM
Laser Knife Edge Reader
I'm glad this popped up. I just ordered, perhaps the last one, from Amazon. I'd seen this before but was not aware that the had gone into production and were available. Good price.
I just ordered, the last one, from Amazon. The link now shows it is no longer available (https://www.amazon.com/Laser-Knife-Reader-sharp-precision/dp/B07RQW6PLR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3K3FOOV7IFH87&dchild=1&keywords=laser+knife+edge+reader&qid=1594300022&sprefix=laser+edge+reader%2Caps%2C297&sr=8-2).
I have on order also one of the LASER GONIOMETER MASTERs, but it seems to be held up indefinitely in shipping. Vetako reports that due to COVID-19 things are not making it out of the EU. It's been a month or more and there is no indication as tracking does not yield any useful information. I've given up on it at this point.
Rick
I'll be gotaH@ll! My Vetako LASER GONIOMETER (VLG) showed up today. Had to sign for it at the PO. AND! The Laser Knife Edge Reader (LKER) I ordered (above) ALSO showed up today. Delivered on the same day. Sheesh! There is a substantial difference between them, in terms of what they are, but there is also a substantial difference in their price. Fitting.
I was surprised to learn the LKER uses a rifle laser bore sighting device, in the form/shape of a bottle-neck rifle round, as the laser module. Very ingenious. A little bit of a bother in that there is no On/Off switch. One has to unscrew the base and remove the batteries. I find it curious and I do not agree with, that the instructions say and the laser scale shows some narrow color bands and relates them bevel angle, to sharpness and to function: 8º = RED: "razor sharp" - straight razors only, 15-17º = YELLOW: "super sharp" - used with high quality and hard steels, 19-21º = Green - "kitchen sharp" - used with majority of kitchen knives, and 23-25º = BLUE: "utility sharp" - used for outdoor and general purpose knives. What bull is this?
VLG is impressive. I got the PRO+ model rather than the MASTER. The PRO has a more narrow range of angle measurement (30º per side) but a more widely spread scale/increments. It displays in 1/2º as the finest increments. It is also the model that does not have the magnet that holds the knife blade. In part, I selected this model in order to get the 40X loupe, which I like a lot. It may prove to be a more functional magnifier than the 60X hand microscope I've been using the 40X has a much wider field of view and focuses a bit easier. I'll see if I like the extent of magnification better. I have no doubt I'll continue to use the 60X when I really want to see the detail along the apexes.
HOWEVER, despite their differences, THEY MEASURE THE SAME... That seems like an important bottom line... LKER is a much more cost effective alternative, if you can get one. I'm still going to keep the Vetako. My LKER, the last one available on Amazon is available. PM if interested.
Rick