I was at an estate sale yesterday and found a pile of old electric ceramic rods for cheap and got the idea of homemade crop stick for presents. I had a pile of cherry cookies that I cut last year and thought what a perfect base. The rods are angled at 20 degrees for kitchen and pocket knives. This is my prototype. The darn jig slid a bit. I will clamp with the next set.
Here's the lansky link. Knife Sharpeners | 4 Rod Ceramic Turn Box | Lansky And one of thr video reviews.
My friend was a charter captain in high school and early college years. He introduced me to crock sticks about 25 years ago. I use them for a quick tune up on regular knives. I only use really good stones like vintage Belgian on my super good knives or ones that I want a very fine edge. Edge geometry changes with what you are using a knife for. Filet knife 10-15 degrees. Pocket knife 20-25 for more durability. Kitchen around 20. I have a tendancy to go lower on my degrees across the board. For people like my family that never sharpen their knives the crock sticks are perfect and easy to use.
If you had a family member with advanced knife sharpening needs like yourself, you could do 3 sets of holes at the angles you mentioned, suitably labeled, so the crock sticks could be moved accordingly.... unless you’re epoxying them in...? Would also make a fine gift for FHC Secret Santa....
LOL. I was happy getting my jig to get one angle just to see if I could. I have a couple pieces of ipe that I picked up at a repurpose place 3 x 8 or 10 x 1/2 " that I want to do a multiangle set.
The ceramic is a nice tight fit. I wanted to be able to remove to wash. They load up on metal after time.
Did you saw a block of wood to set the angle with for the base wood, or do you have a radial drill press?
On a piece of furring strip I used a protractor and matched the angle that I wanted to the drill bit. 3/16 pilot hole just to get what I wanted. 25/64th was the final size. Drilled both holes the whole way through while clamped to a 2x4 piece. No fancy tools, tried to be creative... For the holes in the crock sticks base I just held in place and used the furring strip holes as my guide. I should have clamped also. Slid just a bit on the first hole.
Just finished these crock sticks for Christmas presents! I changed it up a bit from using the cherry cookie wood. There were a couple pieces of ipe that I was saving for a special project. It found its place. Check out the copper finger guards!
My first thought on seeing your title was maybe something like tobacco sticks or bean poles or something in that vein. Like your idea and nice execution thereof!
