Standard arms

Got my WE base model today and expected the arms to look like the second set (with washers) shown in this video:

The arms look like the first set but have much less “play”

The arms that you describe as the “first set” are how they come, from any of the dealers or WE.
They may now be a slighty tighter fit, but mine were not.

Wicked Edge offers a service to “modify” them for you.
I’m guessing if you were to request this at the time of purchase from “Wicked Edge” only, they may be able to do this before they send the WEPS?

Failing that, it’s required to send them in to get done.

The arms are not being modified unless it is requested.
There is no option on the site to add this option to the basket at purchase time.

I would also imagine there will be a cost involved?

Hopefully this thread will add some clarity?

A short comment by Clay here-
The small amount of play from the stock arms is eliminated and if that little bit of play bothers you, then you might consider the Upgrade Kit.
Another option is to send your stock arms in to us for modification which involves the installation of a washer and replacing the pins with screws to tighten up the joint.

http://wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=13&id=7173&Itemid=63#7173

Perhaps Clay can add something else here, like a cost etc?

Unit came directly from WE. I incorrectly assumed that they would update the stock arms with the washer and screws for all new units or at least add them to the shipment for self install.

I can appreciate charging for the new ball joint arms due to the extra mfg. costs but to ask users to send stock arms to them for small modification (washers and screws) is surely not “user friendly”.

I guess it’s better than saying, “fix them yourself, we can’t see any problem with them”?

I think only a few have needed the pin replaced with the washer/screw modification.

I think because a few we’re pretty vocal about the pins, it was perceived as a problem that needed replacing. I’m not sure of the numbers, but I’m guessing that if it was a large number it would be replaced, if for no other reason than it would quickly become time consuming and costly to replace a large number after they’re sent.

Here is a good read for you cbw.
TOPIC: Linkage play–your technique for consistency?
http://wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=6&id=1888&Itemid=63

http://wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=6&id=3470&Itemid=63#3471

It seems most topics keep coming around again on here.
I’ll keep searching.

Are you counting only the ones that were sent in to Clay?

Yes, he has me fired up a bit suggesting I’m one of only a few also. 🙁

I might get a list together from posts here on this forum.
See how many is a few!

http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=13&id=7173&Itemid=63#7175

Some of the above was taken out of context. Seems like a tactic to make a point, rather than tell the entire story.

From Clay, same post that was extracted above:

“Personal experience

I just returned from the New York Custom Knife Show where I sharpened several hundred knives over the weekend. I alternated between using the Pro-Pack 2 and the Pro-Pack 1 throughout the show. Neither the customers nor I saw any difference in sharpness or edge appearance from one system to the next. The main difference is in the way the units feel to use, the range of angles available and the ability to adjust the angle to a very fine level with the Pro-Pack 2. All the knives sharpened, regardless of which kit I used, were equally sharp and equally beautiful.”

From Bob Nash, same thread:

“I continue to be extremely happy with my original arms – I own both sets and use them both, but I use my original arms much, much more, getting amazing results with no visible faceting or angle variance showing up. I use my ball joint arms primarily with my choseras and shaptons, to match the angles more precisely.

My advice for folks has been basically – if you are going to be sharpening straight razors or know that you are going to be working with natural/manufactured wetstones that are going to wear with use then you should probably go for the ball joint arms right away. They are also a must for piece of mind if you know you are going to want the most consistent angle you can possibly produce no matter the thickness of the stone or strop you are using. If you aren’t in that group, start with the basic Wicked Edge Sharpener kit. You are going to have more angle consistency and control and you are going to get results that can’t be achieved with nearly any other system out there and you are most likely going to be very happy.”

That is a bit more of the story on the Arms.

There are those among us that are never really satisfied and feel the need to tinker with something good to try to make it “better”. I am in that group BTW. The oringinal arms are plenty good, and will yeild excellent results without modification. I used them on 100s of knives over about a year and a half, and was thrilled with the results, as were my customers.

BTW, checking for discussions on this forum does not give any indication of what the general population that has purchased the WEPS system is concerned about. In this context, I would be willing to bet that the percentage of people owning the WEPS that have worried about arm play with the original joints, much less actually modified them, is very low. This means that even though the subject has come up here and a “few” have posted about it, it does not mean that the difference has been significant to the vast majority of the WEPS users.

Phil

Unit came directly from WE. I incorrectly assumed that they would update the stock arms with the washer and screws for all new units or at least add them to the shipment for self install.

Sorry Ted, it seems this will never happen, even though it’s a great idea.

It’s an “if your not happy” service!

Now I’m in the spotlight for being honest.
I see Clay thanked the post above, but still hasn’t commented in this thread?[/quote]

I’m away with my family for the weekend without my computer and giving long answers on my phone is a big challenge. In a nutshell, we may eventually have all the Basic Kit units shipping with the screws and washers, but it’s a slow process with our factory to get that done, so we probably won’t see them shipping that way until the second half of next year. I don’t personally find it to be a problem but do recognize that others do, hence the option to send yours in for us to mod, if you’re not satisfied with the arms as they are.

I don’t personally find it to be a problem but do recognize that others do, hence the option to send yours in for us to mod, if you’re not satisfied with the arms as they are.

Thanks Clay, if there was an option to add this service to the shopping basket or simply order it through a dealer this would be great.

Perhaps a leaflet in the WEPS box?

Is there a cost involved?