We’re close to finalizing the design of a new, Pelican-style, carrying case for the sharpener. It’s designed to fit the Pro-Pack II with a few extra accessories. The Pro-Pack I and the Basic Kit will also fit. We’re trying to make a decision about whether to go with the option of wheels and a telescopic handle. Between all the components of the Pro-Pack II and the case itself, weight should be around 30 lbs. I’m curious what people think about this option. It will add a decent chunk to the cost to include the wheels and handles. Is this a feature that you guys think you’d want? I’m also trying to gauge interest in such a case overall. How many would want such a case?
I think the case is a great idea. My vote would be for no wheels or telescoping handle. Just a standard carry case handle would be great. What would the price range be for either option?
Thanks,
Sauce
[quote quote=“Sauce” post=9330]I think the case is a great idea. My vote would be for no wheels or telescoping handle. Just a standard carry case handle would be great. What would the price range be for either option?
Thanks,
Sauce[/quote]
Thanks for the feedback Sauce. I’m not sure yet what we can get done on pricing - they’re not cheap but the quality is awesome. Do you have a sense of what you feel like a reasonable price is? The company we’re working with is trying to make it happen for us and they’re much more reasonable than Pelican, but the cases are still expensive.
For me part of it’s size as well as weight… if it’s not too big, I’d say no wheels. I had a case a few years back you could carry a laptop, small printer, and some books (back when these things were big & heavy)… thing had wheels but it was small enough that rolling it was a bigger PITA then carrying it.
Plus I suspect some will use it more for storage than transportation?
One thing that would be nice… you could pull out your base and set it on top of the case to sharpen?
Oh, and no more than $5.00 
Looking back at the thread “Case for Wicked Edge” about 7 weeks back page 5 bottom (#8127) user Dicamp posted 3 photos of a Pelican 1600 case. This was the best setup I have seen, it was a big case, but every part had a place. The base and vice Pro 2 placed on top upside down. Every part easy to get to without removing the packing. Plent of room to expand as you add more stones… Very clean…
Clay, I look forward to seeing what version WE might offer.
James
I’m of the opinion that it would be more “storage” then carry case? I really don’t see myself lugging the whole set up around with me? But I would like a handy place to keep everything in the reloading room.
Also I can not see myself wanting to pay anymore then $50.00 and that would be tops for me. I’m comfortable around $25-30?
[quote quote=“EamonMcGowan” post=9338]I’m of the opinion that it would be more “storage” then carry case? I really don’t see myself lugging the whole set up around with me? But I would like a handy place to keep everything in the reloading room.
Also I can not see myself wanting to pay anymore then $50.00 and that would be tops for me. I’m comfortable around $25-30?[/quote]
Great feedback, thank you. I’m not sure if we can get them down that low. Which model sharpener do you have?
I’ve been doing some research about making myself a pelican case for storage while awaiting my WEPS to arrive. Based on what I’ve found and the size of case required to hold everything, not to mention all of the time and effort trying to get everything just perfect… I’d be willing to pay around $125-$150 for a pre-made case for my WEPS. Gotta protect your investments!
Great feedback, thank you. I’m not sure if we can get them down that low. Which model sharpener do you have?[/quote]
Just got the Pro Pack 1 in yesterday. Did some practice on knife #2 today. I had a lot of fun!! Knife came out pretty well? Not any better then I can do free hand? But I think I’m on to something!!
I’m not really happy with the tolerances of the arms? I think I’m in need of the washers or the upgrade??
Clay,
How many sets of stones/strops will it hold? Will the slots for stones be versatile? I.e. hold a thick Chosera as well as a thin strop?
I would go for no wheels. Even if it’s heavy this is something I won’t roll it around. I would understand a traveling knife sharpener would want wheels. For me it is just storage. The other reason I don’t like wheels is I would set it on a table to unpack.
I assume all WE bases are the same size? I have the black paperstone base. One of these days I was planning on getting a piece of granite cut, maybe a little wider and longer in the back. This might affect my decision (to cut a larger base) if the case is sized for the standard base.
I also will carry it handcuffed to my wrist, the telescoping handle doesn’t work as well for this. :woohoo:
A second thought. If this fist case only holds the stones that come with PPII then maybe a 2nd case, not as deep, but just as large to hold just stones/strops with a little misc. space for other stuff (paste, tape, etc.)
I vote no wheels.
As far as cost, would like to see the minimum margin you can do without killing yourself. Hopefully under $99.99, but then again, it is what it is.
Don’t want to sacrifice quality, but am hoping since we have “partaken of the kool-aid” that a lesser profit margin works . . . . But also realize that there is ~no market for a case other than us addicts . . . . Sigh.
As far as cost, my feeling is to let Jiminy Cricket be your guide, and it is what it is.
I vote not wheels, too. But that’s partly because I have my own home-made base which is not too heavy. Additional considerations:
- Will the case be able to store the WEPS with the vise attached to the base?
- How many additional stones/strops and other stuff (sharpie, loupe, handle, stropping compounds, …) can be stored?
[quote quote=“wickededge” post=9331][quote quote=“Sauce” post=9330]I think the case is a great idea. My vote would be for no wheels or telescoping handle. Just a standard carry case handle would be great. What would the price range be for either option?
Thanks,
Sauce[/quote]
Thanks for the feedback Sauce. I’m not sure yet what we can get done on pricing - they’re not cheap but the quality is awesome. Do you have a sense of what you feel like a reasonable price is? The company we’re working with is trying to make it happen for us and they’re much more reasonable than Pelican, but the cases are still expensive.[/quote]
Price range aroung $100 maybe, probably wouldn’t go much higher. Large enough to hold the base with vise installed and all the extras we use with it(loupe, cube, marker, roll of tape,extra stones etc..) would be nice.
Sauce
[quote quote=“mark76” post=9351]I vote not wheels, too. But that’s partly because I have my own home-made base which is not too heavy. Additional considerations:
- Will the case be able to store the WEPS with the vise attached to the base?
- How many additional stones/strops and other stuff (sharpie, loupe, handle, stropping compounds, …) can be stored?[/quote]
We’ve get it set to hold all the contents of the PP2 assembled, so room for the sharpener on its base with the vise and rise assembled, 100-1000 diamond plates, micro-fine ceramics, 1.0/0.5 strops, angle cube, 4 additional stone/strop sets, marker, loupe, alignment guide, knife brace etc…
[quote quote=“wickededge” post=9354][quote quote=“mark76” post=9351]I vote not wheels, too. But that’s partly because I have my own home-made base which is not too heavy. Additional considerations:
- Will the case be able to store the WEPS with the vise attached to the base?
- How many additional stones/strops and other stuff (sharpie, loupe, handle, stropping compounds, …) can be stored?[/quote]
We’ve get it set to hold all the contents of the PP2 assembled, so room for the sharpener on its base with the vise and rise assembled, 100-1000 diamond plates, micro-fine ceramics, 1.0/0.5 strops, angle cube, 4 additional stone/strop sets, marker, loupe, alignment guide, knife brace etc…[/quote]
Sounds to me like it will be worth every penny of whatever price you come up with!
I vote no wheels, no telescoping handle. It would be nice to have a case that sharpener and all accessories, stones would fit into for storage and transport. Price? You get what you pay for! With something that is custom made its going to be a little pricey, but worth it for what it will hopefully do.
Yes, under $5.00 and can you make it weightless and unbreakable out of polished unobtanium too?
I think many of the answers can be found in the case’s final use. Many of us would use it as storage, but some to carry around. In the old days…I had a job for a year as a copier tech, we all had 30lb briefcases full of tools, so that’s not an unheard of goal, though I don’t think they weigh that much, even with granite base. (they might)
What we always ran into was either the handle broke from the weight, or the base split from setting it down too hard.
So I’d say no wheels, and price…no idea.
[quote quote=“cbwx34” post=9332]For me part of it’s size as well as weight… if it’s not too big, I’d say no wheels. I had a case a few years back you could carry a laptop, small printer, and some books (back when these things were big & heavy)… thing had wheels but it was small enough that rolling it was a bigger PITA then carrying it.
Plus I suspect some will use it more for storage than transportation?
One thing that would be nice… you could pull out your base and set it on top of the case to sharpen?
Oh, and no more than $5.00 :D[/quote]
I don’t think that the wheels and handle are necessary especially if it adds to the cost. I have been waiting patiently for some time for my Pro Pack II and want something to pack it away in. I have looked for other options but I would rather get something that is suited just for the WEPS. With the money that has been invested so far I really want this thing to be protected, even if I am taking it with me somewhere. Do you have any idea how long until the deal is finalized?
I vote no wheels, since it shouldn’t weigh more than ~25 lbs fully accessorize. Otherwise I question why carry the damn thing to a travel site if it’s over that amount in the first place. I’ve traveled with mine on road trips and it works just fine being carried in a canvas tool bag, but my next travel plans call for a trip overseas and that’s where a lockable pelican case would really work for me in that instance.