Angle guide for whetstone - (The Uterus / The Bull)

UPDATE 2025-05-03: Added a longer “ball-rod” that could be used for thicker stones and/or larger knives.

UPDATE 2025-03-06: Version 2 has gotten an additional clamp, a lot sturdier clamp that will not work for small knives but will be alot sturdier for heavier knives. You can easily switch between the two, they are completely interchangeable.

UPDATE 2025-03-05: Version 2 added, only two parts are different, the clamp and the backbone which are no longer joined using 4x M3 but instead have new features for positioning and two clamps keeping them together. All 3D-printed. The only hardware necessary is one M5x20 for the clamp and a small M3 for the indicator needle.

When printing version 2, be mindful of the printing direction, it is possible to print without support if you orient the two parts correctly.

UPDATE 2025-03-01: Clamp for small knives uploaded. As you see in the pictures even a small peeler knife can be used with this clamp. I also uploaded an animation showing the working principle, albiet with me holding the phone in one hand so the technique is a bit wonky.

I was inspired by tools such as the knife mate from Zanvak as well as the any stone sharpener. They are difficult to obtain where I live and I figured I could do something similar with the ambition of using as little unprinted hardware as possible.

Version 1 requires 4 Ruthex M3 inserts (if you don't glue the parts) as well as an M5 for the tightening of the clamp.

See the picture for the printing direction. I have printed all components in PETG but PLA should work as well. All threaded parts are printed vertically with 0.16mm layer height and the clamp has been printed on the side at 0.2mm.

The indicators on the side are located at 15 and 25 degrees to support consistent angle adjustment.

Ball_rod_098 and Ball_rod_096 are simply two variants of the thread, 098 is tighter and 096 looser. Depending on how well you printer is calibrated, go for one or the other. I actually managed both in PETG. Otherwise the tighter would be for PLA and the looser for PETG.

I am really looking forward to any comments that might improve the design and reduce the amount of bought hardware to a minimum.

I can say that it is super easy to work with and despite having been sharpening knifes for 10+ years on whetstones, my knifes have never been as sharp as now.