I preface what I say below as my own opinion and I may have to stand corrected later.
I am certain that Clay will do what he can to replace the bent parts, but having said that the users should carefully check to see that they are following the directions for tightening/clamping the knife in the vise. The sequence as I understand it is, tighten the top screw snugly and then tighten the bottom screw very firmly. I believe when material like chamois, double-sided tape etc. are added to the mix, that the tightening instructions become even more important.
Anyone who watched the video by Chris will note how powerful the hold of this vise is when the knife is clamped in the jaws in the proper manner…he lifted the whole unit in the air by the clamped knife… In my opinion that tells me that this vise is capable of great power unlike any other I have run into over six decades. With such power, even with aircraft grade aluminum, there is the possibility of damage to either one of the vise sections if care is not carefully applied when tightening the screws.
There may have been some faulty units but IMHO I don’t see a design flaw here. In over a year, this is the first time I have heard of this kind of bending occurring. My bet is on a faulty unit.
Indeed this sharpener is a wondrous invention of good value to me.
Leo
