This is my "Leading Edge" Sharpening System.

NOTE - The LATEST (Major upgraded) version of my system will soon be available as a ready-to-assemble kit from https://www.gritomatic.com. I will not be updating this version on Thingiverse any more, but I will leave it here for free printing.

NOTE - There is NO need to print all the parts. It depends on what type of sharpening you want to do and how you want to customise my sharpener - only print the parts you need. For a basic version of my sharpener (for knives and scissors only), I recommend only printing the following part numbers - A,Bv2,C,D,E,F,G,H(For Scissors),K(For Large blades),M,N.

NOW WITH CLAMP BARS for TSPROF, Blitz, Hapstone (R2 Lite) and KakBritva (Side and Wide Central) clamps as an optional extra.

If you do not want to use the primary magnetic knife mounting method, then I recommend using one of the metal clamps mentioned above, or optionally my knife clamp design can be CNC milled from metal.(CNC .step files available for download) If you want to use the knife clamps in the download files, it's best when CNC milled from metal.

UPDATED - 30 JAN 2022 (Update log at the bottom of this description)

For further information, a member of "Bladeforums" started a thread about assembly and use here - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/leading-edge-3d-printed-knife-guided-sharpening-system-assembly-build-use.1791684/

Youtube video by "CelloDan" about it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_CkHbqfMIw

My system can sharpen knives, chisels, straight razors, scissors, scalpels and countless other tools.

This is the only available 3D printable Knife, Scissors, Chisel, Straight Razor and tool sharpener. My system works very well for almost any sharpening scenario that you would need and works as well or better than any sharpening system currently on the market. It has a magnetic knife holder, a 3-point horizontal knife guide, vertical knife support, scissors clamp, straight razor 2-point guide, large blade sharpening attachment, convex sharpening stone holder and an optional rotating knife clamp (if desired). It also has a fine tuning adapter for extremely accurate sharpening angle adjustment.

One of the best places for purchasing your sharpening stones for my system is from https://www.gritomatic.com . They have a huge selection of every stone your heart desires and they have one of the best selections of sharpening abrasives on the internet. I also have optional stone holders for Lansky stones and Spyderco triangle hones.

Sharpening angle range approximately 0-50 degrees, depending on if the knife clamp / knife guide / straight razor guide / scissors clamp / chisel adapter being used.

I recommend using a digital angle gauge or angle measuring app on your phone to measure your exact sharpening angles. If you don't have a digital angle gauge, I also have my own design of a mechanical 3D printable one here for you - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4787548

Parts Needed:

(NOTE: All metric size M4 parts can be substituted with imperial size 8-32 parts. The 8mm stainless steel rods can be substituted with 5/16 stainless steel rods. I also added a separate .ZIP file for all the parts needed to make a 6mm stainless steel rod version of my system).

(NOTE: I will soon add a modified version of my system that can be assembled with M4 Nuts in stead of M4 brass inserts as an option.)

22 x M4 Brass Threaded Inserts (For all of the 5mm holes) (M4 Nut version to come...)

1 x 8mm diameter steel rod (45cm+ long) (For Sharpening stone holder / Guide Rod)
1 x 8mm diameter steel rod (18cm+ long) (For vertical rod)
1 x 8mm diameter steel rod (13cm long) (For the front foot stand) (OPTIONAL)
Note - I have an alternative fully 3D printable front foot ("B v2" if you do not want to use an 8mm rod combined with small feet.

7 x M4 Knurled Thumb screws
LENGTHS :
3 x 10mm thread length (Fine tuning adapter, Pivot bearing holder, Stone clamp)
1 x 10mm (3-Point Knife Guide / Razor guide)
1 x 15mm thread length (Scissors clamp - cantilever action bottom hole)
2 x 10mm thread (Stopper rings - if you want them, but not necessary)

11 x M4 Button Head screws (Hex socket is my preference).
LENGTHS :
1 x 10mm (To secure the vertical steel rod into the main body)
2 x 25mm (Scissors clamp top 2 screws)
2 x 20mm (Rotatable knife clamp front 2 screws)
1 x 15mm (Rotatable knife clamp rear "cantilever" action screw)
2 x 20mm (Rotating knife clamp Holder - to screw it onto the main body)
1 x 40mm (Rotating knife clamp Holder - to secure / pinch the knife clamp in place)
2 x 30mm or longer (Chisel adapter - if you need it)
Optional : 3 x of various lengths (For high or low angle sharpening with the knife clamp)

Magnets:
(Use N52 Neodymium magnets, or as high a grade as possible for proper magnetic force)
3 x Neodymium Round Magnets (12mm x 3mm)
6 x Neodymium Round Magnets (12mm x 3mm) For the Optional Large Blade Attachment

1 x Spring (Minimum 8mm Internal diameter & about 35mm long)

If you want to use the Clamp Bars for aftermarket metal clamps like TSPROF, Blitz, Hapstone R2 Lite or KakBritva Side or Centre wide clamps, then you will need to print the bars for the clamp types you want to use. You will also possibly need screws (M5x16) for TSPROF and Hapstone; or (M6x20) for KakBritva clamps.

Rubber mastic tape or rubber stick-on pads for the front and rear foot (If desired, but not necessary)

Optional: A Stick-on ferrous metallic surface for a magnetic digital angle gauge (on top of the sharpening stone clamp). Washers stuck on with epoxy glue works well too.

Super Glue - To assemble the pivot bearing holder.(With the plastic swivel ball bearing inside)
Epoxy glue - To glue the ball handle onto the 40cm steel rod; to glue the feet onto the front foot holder after it has been installed; and a little bit to glue the magnets permanently into their holders.

I HIGHLY recommend a strip of rubberised tape (I get great results with clear Surface guard ISC racers tape) over the top of all the magnets and for the insides of all the clamps. This gives everything a secure, non-slip grip and also makes for easier cleaning after sharpening.

Sharpening Stones (Edge Pro type, KME, Hapstone, Chosera, Venev, Chinese clones etc. or similar) Find them here - www.gritomatic.com

My sharpener can be used with any small sharpening stones between approximately 180mm long to as short as approximately 30mm. I also have printable stone holders available for the Spyderco Sharpmaker triangle hones if you prefer those.

INFO:

Both the scissors clamp and the optional knife clamp work with 3 screws in a cantilever action to tightly hold onto your blade. Knife clamps are best when CNC manufactured in Metal, but the Scissors clamp works fine in plastic.

For the scissors clamp, slightly tighten the 2 positioning screws to lightly hold and position your scissors in place and then tighten down the bottom thumb screw for the clamping cantilever action to secure your scissors in place.

If using my optional knife clamp, unscrew the clamp's front 2 screws enough for the clamp to be able to fit flush on both sides of your knife (to follow the grind angle of your knife blade on both sides), then pinch the clamp onto your knife with your fingers while lightly tightening the front 2 screws. Now tighten the rear screw to "cantilever" clamp your knife in position securely, then tighten the front screws again.

If used CORRECTLY, the knife clamp works very well. (Photos attached for reference) The clamp is then easily rotatable while your knife is clamped securely in it. Just loosen the knife clamp holder 40mm screw / wing nut / thumb screw, slide out the knife clamp with knife installed in it, rotate it 180 degrees, place back in clamp holder and lightly tighten the 40mm screw again. (See GIF file attached)

Low sharpening angles with the rotating knife clamp down to approximately 10 degrees per side is possible (Depending on the knife blade width). For a choice of different sharpening angles, you may need some shorter and longer screws for the clamp. 3 x M4 20mm long dome head screws work well for the rotating clamp for most general size pocket knives. For full flat ground knives with a thicker spine, you will need longer screws.

TIPS: (IMPORTANT)

Print with PLA or similar plastic that does not warp or shrink at all. The parts are accurately designed with tight tolerances so be sure to print them with relatively high accuracy settings.

Sand down the ball of the pivot bearing lightly with some very fine grit sandpaper for a nice smooth ball bearing surface before assembling the bearing into the pivot bearing holder. This will make it nice and smooth when sharpening. Make sure not to get super glue on the ball when gluing the pivot bearing holder together after installing the ball. After installing, use a little bit of silicone grease on the outside of the ball for glassy smooth bearing action.

The OPTIONAL small feet of the sharpener are made to fit tightly onto the OPTIONAL feet rod with no extra tolerance, so make sure it is correctly aligned and tap it on with a hammer (after the rod is installed in the sharpener body's feet). If they loosen up too much in time, then add a drop of super glue to stop any movement. Alternatively, use the fully printable front foot.

Print your "Fine tuning adapter" with NO supports in the threads.

I designed the whole system to be able to screw and assemble everything together when not in use. You can screw your knife guide onto the bottom of the sharpener. Screw the reversible clamp onto the top of the sharpener. Stack your long blade attachment, vertical knife guide, chisel adapter and scissors clamp together and screw them onto the front of the sharpener with your screws. Now it's all assembled together for safe keeping so you won't misplace any parts while not in use. There are endless options of where and how to stack your accessories. The positions are interchangeable so stack and stow wherever you want!

I HIGHLY recommend a strip rubberised tape (ISC Racers Tape) for the insides of the clamps and over the tops of the magnets for a proper, secure and clean grip surface.

Place your free hand onto the base of the back of the sharpener to stop it from tipping forwards when you wish to apply a bit more sharpening pressure. When working with your medium or fine stones or strops, don't use much sharpening pressure at all.

FYI for Info only: The base of the sharpener "table" is designed at 20 degrees, so if you don't have an angle gauge and you want to re-profile or sharpen your knife to 20 degrees, just place the knife on the sharpener, install your sharpening stone into the holders and place the stone onto the centre of the blade of your knife. Now adjust the sharpening angle to be level with your work surface that the sharpener is standing on. This will give you a 20 degrees sharpening angle. I do recommend using an angle gauge or even an angle gauge app on your phone for more accurate sharpening, this note is just for reference.

NOTE : If you want to sharpen straight razors, be sure to purchase a set of high quality, very fine sharpening stones (like Naniwa Chosera sharpening stones as an example). If you decide to purchase the Naniwa Chosera stones, I recommend the 1000, 3000 and 10000 grit as a bare minimum for straight razor sharpening. I also recommend making or purchasing some pasted leather strops to use with my system for straight razor finishing. Make sure the angle is set very low (just to barely clear all parts of your razor's spine on both sides) and use my 2 point straight razor guide. Use VERY light pressure when sharpening razors. I regularly sharpen and strop some of my own straight razors on this system with a smooth, irritation free shaving edge.

If you find my designs useful, please go ahead and click on "Tip Designer" to the right of the photos at the top of this page. Proceeds will be used to purchase printing filament so I can keep designing and testing cool new things that you might find useful.

Thank you!

UPDATES:

3 Feb 2020 - I added a Convex Edge sharpening attachment. Simply replace your stone holder clamp closest to your sharpening hand with this attachment to give you the ability to sharpen a convex edge. I have added grooves/notches for different levels of convex sharpening. Each notch of the convex holder is equal to approximately 1.6 degrees.

5 Feb 2020 - I added a vertical blade support to level knives with a sabre grind. When using the magnetic mount, a sabre type grind with a small level surface may not be stable and level on the sharpener working surface in some cases. By supporting it with the vertical blade support, you can perfectly stabilise it and stop any rocking movement.

6 Feb 2020 - I enlarged and refined the pivot bearing assembly for a larger arc of movement to accommodate longer blades.

7 Feb 2020 - I added a fine tuning Adapter for incredibly accurate sharpening angle adjustment. 0.05 degree increments are easily achievable with it.
Description of my fine tuning adapter in link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3644585

13 Feb 2020 - I added a Straight Razor 2-point guide for 2 points of contact on a straight razor spine. It is a lower guide than the 3-point knife guide to enable the very low sharpening angles needed for a straight razor.

16 March 2020 - Optional Stopper Ring added to limit the movement of the horizontal rod (if desired).

30 May 2020 - I added a version of the stone holders with a large platform for your digital angle cube to sit on when adjusting your sharpening angle.

17 June 2020 - I moved the position of the 2 mounting holes of the rotating clamp on the Main Body of the sharpener. The holes are repositioned 15mm more forward, to give the option of being able to mount the reversible clamp on the bottom of the main body when not in use.

29 October 2020 - Upgraded, improved and redesigned "Fine tuning adapter"

7 January 2021 - I designed a Chisel sharpening adapter. It screws into the same holes as the other adapters. Capable of sharpening chisels from 10-50 degrees. Maximum chisel blade width 51mm / 2 inches.

23 January 2021 - I redesigned the Straight razor guide, the Vertical knife support, Convex sharpening attachment and the Large blade attachment. No real functional changes, just small design changes of these items to look better, print easier and be stronger.

1 February 2021 - I added some extra braces to the main body legs. No real functional changes, just for added strength.

13 February 2021 - I designed and added some stone holders for Spyderco Sharpmaker Tri-Angle stones. File name "R.1"

22 March 2021 - Slight change to the Spyderco Tri-Angle sharpmaker stone holders. The previous version worked, but was too tight with some spyderco hones.

26 March 2021 - Small update to the Fine Tuning adapter to assist in easier printing.

31 March 2021 - Pivot bearing holder redesigned for easier printing without supports. Knife guide redesigned to make it 1mm thinner for thinner knife blades.

4 April 2021 - I updated the rotatable knife clamp, knife clamp holder and main body of the sharpener. The rotatable knife clamp is now split with a slit in the centre to allow better distal taper clamping. The position of the holes for the knife clamp is moved forward about 1cm to allow better modular adaptability so you can attach your rotatable knife clamp and holder to the bottom of the main unit when not in use. (NOTE - THE KNIFE CLAMPS ARE BEST WHEN CNC MACHINED FROM METAL)

4 April 2021 - Renamed the Straight razor guide to Straight razor OR Thin knife guide. This guide is used for thin knives, straight razors, or any thin blade sharpening.

10 April 2021 - Added an alternative front large foot, fully 3D printable. (If you do not want to use the small feet and a 8mm steel rod for the front feet, then you can use the one named - "B v2").

13 April 2021 - I added a second (Large) knife clamp for bigger knives / kitchen knives. To be used with the knife clamp holder. Renamed the clamps to 1 (standard) and 2 (large).(NOTE - THE KNIFE CLAMPS ARE BEST WHEN CNC MACHINED FROM METAL)

14 April 2021 - I designed a new 3-point knife guide with a lower profile, and 3-D printable without the need for supports. File name "G.2".

1 June 2021 - I added a clamp bar so you can mount KakBritva aluminium clamps on my sharpener. File name "S-KakBritva Clamps Bar". The Bar slots into my standard clamp holder, and is rotatable. KakBritva clamps available at https://www.gritomatic.com. This is best used with the KakBritva "Side" clamps or "Wide central clamps"

1 June 2021 - Updated the Main Body to add 2 more holes so you can mount the clamp holder much further back on the top of the Main body when using the large clamps.

3 July 2021 -Slight increase in the hole size of the mounting holes in the Knife clamp holder - part "J".

22 July 2021 - Update to file "S.1 KakBritva Clamp Bar". Internal bolt slot error fixed, and I added a slot to assist in mounting the KakBritva clamps at the correct angle. Print this part with a support for the slot. The bar is designed for KakBritva Side clamps, and for KakBritva Wide central split clamps.

8 Sep 2021 - I added Clamp bars for various TSPROF and Hapstone Clamps. See file names "S.2" to "S.5" for description.

9 Sep 2021 - Added additional holes in "A-Main Body" for the option of moving the Knife Clamp holder forward or back. There are now 3 optional positions you can mount the Knife Clamp holder, depending on the clamps used and width of the knife blade.

29 Oct 2021 - Added stone holders for "Lansky" sharpening stones. File name "R.2".

3 Dec 2021 - 6mm Steel rods version added. I made a version of all required parts that works with 6mm Steel rods, in stead of the original 8mm steel rods.

16 Dec 2021 - I redesigned and replaced the Knife Guide so it can be used as a regular knife guide OR thin knife guide / straight razor guide in combination. ("G - Knife Guide"). I Removed the old knife guides (Part "G1" and "G2") and also removed the thin knife guide (Part "O")

30 Jan 2022 - I added some .STEP files of 4 versions of my knife clamps that can be CNC milled from aluminium. They are in a .zip file named "I - CNC Machinable Clamps" Simply use M4 nuts and M4 dome head allen bolts to use the clamps.

NOTE:

Some of my other useful designs and more information on how to use the system:

https://www.thingiverse.com/leadingedge/designs