Polarlight

I've been using and sharpening Step Steel for several years. I used one pair of Velocity and didn't understand why they offer steel that can't be stoned - and I have the same question with BlackSteel. While it may be better for those who don't use a stone, I don't see how it can match a properly stoned and glazed edge. What am I missing?

[osted 09 January 2011 - 12:57 AM Polarlight, on 21 October 2009 - 06:04 PM, said: Blademaster continues to disappoint: 1) Form dressing is as old as dirt, and Blademaster should have delivered this disruptive technology before Blackstone. 2) Blademaster's "The truth sheet Flat Bottom" is defensive, petty, and unprofessional. They could have demonstrated the advantages of their method but instead wrote a poorly constructed mess that makes one question their credibility. Talking about the potential for "no edge" on FBV, and then admitting the true width of a 90/75 flat bottom is actually 70 thousandths doesn't wash. Moreover, does anyone believe Blademaster used a "representative" Blackstone diamond roll in the numbers they published? While Blademaster may have a better method, I don't trust Blademaster now. 3) Blademaster's BFD isn't available on portables, and for tabletops, it's a Rube Goldberg device if I ever saw one (check out the YouTube video for a good laugh). While I'm a Blademaster portable owner and Maximum Edge (Bob Allen) fan, Blademaster should be a Harvard Business Review case describing how not to address disruptive technology and the response to a competitor's actions. I'll enjoy using my Blackstone FBV convertible spinner on my Blademaster portable. Actually there was some credibility to their document, although I can't locate it anymore, they must have pulled it. When the BS first arrived I ordered up a small handful of spinners and after reading the BM sheet, I thought what the hell and since I had an in at a military technical unit, I had the spinners measured up with their laser equipment. . . . the BM document was pretty well on. . . the BS spinners were no where near their aclaimed tolerances. . . let's face it, they claim in one document to have 100/50 & 100/75 etc. . the 100 being thousands of an inch wide and the 50 or 75 being in 10 millions (their website)of an inch deep, their tech sheet claims the 75 or 50 is in one hundred thousands. Give me a break! Unless you did as I did and have them measured up with laser technology, you will not know. I'm afraid your standard micrometer isnt going to cut it here! According to the military the spinners were plus/minus 25% Thats right TWENTY-FIVE % !! {largest tollerances found were in the depth} I have the spinners and use them when clients are eager for an FBV, but with the blade thickness differences, it is a real pain in the a$$ to set up each different pair to ensure centering on a spinner with a +/- 25% tolerance. I offer it to clients only if they insist. . .and caution that it is not near as accurate as acclaimed. These are the facts. I know it is the popular thing these days. People can be readily sold on almost anything. . . . I mean look at Bauer selling people the crap metal in their Lightspeed Pro holders...... some of those are like grinding plexiglass ! This post has been edited by Blade-Tek: 09 January 2011 - 01:10 PM Thank you for the analysis Blade-Tek. I purchased a Blademaster MPFD when they first became available, and agree the roll design appears superior to the Blackstone Mag-50. The size and construction of the roll suggest they are more consistent- and have been told by others (like you) that this is true. I only sharpen for a few skaters (all on Step) and they all prefer the Blackstone because of the options. Blademaster and their supporters will tell you that form dressing has been done many times before (over many decades), and the edge is not as good (roll "crushes" grinding media rather than cutting it). Thus, Blademaster apparently believes this "fad" will pass (as demonstrated by lack of roll options). I now believe form dressing can be preferable to the traditional method for some skaters provided the roll is "fresh", and the sharpener is skilled and willing to take more time than is common at commercial sharpeners. Thanks again for your input.

Steve, Thanks for putting up the profile key. You're right - it does lead to many questions - including: Why does second variable go from 1 to .75 to .05? X-axis makes sense, yet one would expect a correlation between edge and grip on Y-axis - no? Key suggests those looking for maximum speed and grip can get both with 105-.05. Why don't you just make that spinner and be done with it! :) What happened to 100/50 and 90/50? I use 90-.75 and it appears 95-.05 is an alternative that offers more speed and better grip, but I admit I'm bewildered. I have both Blackstone FBV and Blademaster BFD (both used on a Blademaster portable), and appreciate your many choices! Thanks for leading the way. Best wishes!

Does anyone know anything about all of the new spinners on the Blackstone website (see "Accessories" - "Dressing Tools" - go to bottom)? I don't see any communication from Blackstone. Some of the relative bite/glide is simple to determine, others not so (i.e. 100/1).

I bought one set of Velocity after using many sets of the standard Step blades. I immediately returned to the standard Step because it doesn't make sense to me to suboptimize the sharpening in the interest of retaining the shine. Proper stoning before, during, and after sharpening is critical, and is undervalued by many sharpeners.

Blademaster continues to disappoint: 1) Form dressing is as old as dirt, and Blademaster should have delivered this disruptive technology before Blackstone. 2) Blademaster's "The truth sheet Flat Bottom" is defensive, petty, and unprofessional. They could have demonstrated the advantages of their method but instead wrote a poorly constructed mess that makes one question their credibility. Talking about the potential for "no edge" on FBV, and then admitting the true width of a 90/75 flat bottom is actually 70 thousandths doesn't wash. Moreover, does anyone believe Blademaster used a "representative" Blackstone diamond roll in the numbers they published? While Blademaster may have a better method, I don't trust Blademaster now. 3) Blademaster's BFD isn't available on portables, and for tabletops, it's a Rube Goldberg device if I ever saw one (check out the YouTube video for a good laugh). While I'm a Blademaster portable owner and Maximum Edge (Bob Allen) fan, Blademaster should be a Harvard Business Review case describing how not to address disruptive technology and the response to a competitor's actions. I'll enjoy using my Blackstone FBV convertible spinner on my Blademaster portable.

Bite is a function of both depth to flat bottom of "V" and angle of "fangs" (both numbers are needed to determine bite). 80/75 would offer bite between 90/50 and 90/75. 80/75 would have same depth to bottom of "V" as 90/75, but less aggressive fang angle.

How many dressings are you getting out of a FBV spinner? I'm getting a Mag-50 to use with a BM portable, and am curious how often I'll be replacing the spinner.