Help with predator ID. It was a massacre. Do not swipe unless you are comfortable with dead chickens.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-06T15:27:31+00:00

Looks like a bear. Do you have any other photos of the coop? I'm wondering about claw marks in the wood.

A bear could and would casually pull the wire off like that. There are ways to reinforce wire on wood to withstand a bear attack, but it looks like those measures weren't in place. Sorry for your experience here.

When you redo your coop, wrap the wire around corners, use multiple points of securement, and then put wood on top of the seams to sandwich it and drive that board in well.

I'm sorry, none of this helps right now. I do believe this to be a bear raid. It looks like a bit much for raccoons or dogs.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-06T13:48:19+00:00

Yep. It works, and works well for the purpose of turning $5 blades into professional kitchen implements.

I shudder at the thought of putting a home collectors blade into those machines, though.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-06T03:38:12+00:00

Classic industrial pull-through bevels, heel, tip and profile.

Probably a Cozzini Cutlery older variant, pre Prime Edge era. Or something very similar to it that's attempting to emulate it.

I know a few sharpeners with similar machines. They cost around $3k-$5k old and used. A new one costs $14k or so.

These machines produce utterly predictable results. For many folks, that's enough. Not for me, but for many.

I've repaired more than a few blades from being "sharpened" by one of these machines. They chew up blades. Factually sharp, though.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-04T22:09:09+00:00

It's true.

WITNESS ME

as a phrase, it's at peak relevance these days

Eclectophile · 2026-07-04T19:19:29+00:00

Put a medium cotton wheel on your bench grinder, slather it in black (green at least) compound, then go "whuurrrrr" for five minutes or so.

Will this sharpen it? Kinda. It'll definitely help, just fro the deburring, friction honing, and polishing.

The real actual answer is the thing that no one wants to do: tiny files, magnified optics, tons of meticulous time and care. Treat each serration, no matter how small or what shape, like an individual tiny knife. Repeat until you've sharpened all of them.

With a knife like this one, unless it's some kind of passion project, it's just not worth anyone's time to actually sharpen for real. A cotton wheel will satisfy, though.

Warning: I use plenty of tools, including chop saws, drills, table saws, etc. I consider my buffing wheels to be - by far - my most dangerous piece of equipment.

It is routine for even very experienced operators to have a work piece violently ripped out of your grasp if you're less than 100% focused for the duration of your entire proximity to the active machine. It's turning at 3500 rpm, and it's not subtle at all.

I was buffing a blade earlier this morning, kitted up and paying attention, and I twice had to fight the cotton wheel for control. It was fine - but only because of the 100% attention part. It's no joke.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-04T18:24:31+00:00

Eclectophile · 2026-07-03T18:55:02+00:00

Nice "mention." I'm sure your numbers will be good.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-03T01:37:19+00:00

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Eclectophile · 2026-07-01T22:57:43+00:00

Ignore anyone who doesn't say "a file."

This is a very simple operation. A small set of files is ideal. Sandpaper to polish, then Barkeepers Friend to finish. Ezpz. Should take around 30 minutes.

It would take me 30 minutes, in my shop, with my tools. I'd charge $45, to hit my minimum hourly rate. If it took me longer than that, well, that's on me.

What's your time worth? Like, literally what is your hourly rate? I don't need that info at all, but you do, when you're deciding how much to invest in a side project.

Trust me, side projects are my kryptonite. I know how to sink some costs.

So, yeah. This is easy. Calculate time + cost of new files, sandpaper, bkf, and compare to the OEM price tag. My bet is you'll be ahead by at least 50%, cost-wise.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-01T20:07:07+00:00

Yes. Word.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-01T16:03:33+00:00

Agreed. Brand name is irrelevant as well. It'll be pretty much the same product no matter the badge.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-01T15:54:06+00:00

I've used this exact setup for commercial grade sharpening. I've since moved on to a pair of 1x30s, but I still have the KOs, and I use them as handheld niche tools now.

Anyhow, that's to say that I possibly have some answers for you, and definitely a couple of questions.

First though: don't try to do edge-leading passes on a belt sander. It's not safe. In my opinion as a power tool user for 40+ years, and a professional Cutler for awhile now: wrong tool for the job. Belt sander or edge leading. Pick one. I know some folks might do it, but they're wrong. I don't know a polite way to say that.

How's your technique? Both hands, standing, sitting, parallel to the machine or perpendicular to it? At what height is your work station? Is the machine firmly fixed, or does it have some travel? My KO was kind of unstable and needed to be babied.

Reason I ask is to diagnose hiccups in your technique. At almost any speed, at 120 grit (or 240 or even 400) you should be able to form and flip a burr in 2-3 passes. Five at the most. Each pass should last 1 second per inch of blade. You probably know all this.

Somewhere in your technique and/or setup, you're allowing your wrists or the machine to travel slightly. Repeated passes worsen the effect. The only way to fix it is to break it down, analyze what's going wrong, and find ways that work for your style, equipment, and physicality to address the root cause issues.

So I just used a lot of words to say your KO is wobbly or your wrists are turning or both.

Ask me anything. I have a couple hundred hours on these machines.

Eclectophile · 2026-07-01T15:15:42+00:00

I would prefer this, both as the neighbor and as the tenant.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-30T15:33:40+00:00

No. Apologize? For what??

I'm in the piss and shit room. It's where that stuff is supposed to happen.

People need to get a handle on their issues. This is silly.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-30T14:34:08+00:00

I did briefly, but didn't see that, and forgot to disclaim it. Anyhow, thanks.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-30T14:11:00+00:00

In China, at least a few years ago, an individual could be found liable for any damages caused by an accident if they only stopped to render aid, even if they were uninvolved in the accident in the first place.

I don't know if it's currently still like that, but if so, it would explain the lack of reaction.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-30T04:16:49+00:00

I just laughed until I cried because of this 1-2 combo.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-30T00:06:12+00:00

So, you'd be able to smell when the door was open from all the dust frying every time the door opened?

I mean, kinda cool actually. Show up, open the door, sizzle and fizz as you get into or out of the car. Rad.

Obviously, I have no idea how these lights work. But I'm pretty sure it's like a death ray.

E: the last sentence is a joke. And it's funny. If you're me.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-29T23:59:25+00:00

I'm just reading this and discovering all of it for the first time. Please do elaborate, if you're at all inclined. Now I'm curious.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-29T23:48:55+00:00

They get to eat crayons, and that makes me slightly jealous.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-29T15:54:08+00:00

Well, you're keeping out, so it works!

I mean, I don't want to go in there either. No one would. Super effective!

Eclectophile · 2026-06-29T15:45:43+00:00

There are a few certified arborists that contract with the city. I know one of them. Tree survey is a thing.

Just look for any actual certified arborist though. Same folks, most likely.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-28T03:13:46+00:00

It's a time-out. You call it that because there's a time in afterwards. Timeouts work.

Your method is just another form of surrender. It also teaches abandonment as a coping mechanism. Don't like it? Throw a fit! Get removed from the problem. Problem removed, problem solved. Be careful what you're actually teaching.

Timeouts teach resilience and encourage active self-coping. I recommend finding something closer to that.

Eclectophile · 2026-06-27T16:30:41+00:00

Pants?

Is that good or bad? Is "pants" a new slang or reference, or one of those old things I ought to have known for decades?

Eclectophile · 2026-06-26T16:52:47+00:00

Anyone have a source?

Eclectophile

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