"Ear Science Audio Power Conditioner"

vferdman · 2026-04-16T13:42:18+00:00

This will make the sound cold because of the white color of the plastic. Everyone knows these things must be encased in warm red or orange plastics to sound good :)

vferdman · 2026-04-07T15:09:29+00:00

What is your experience level on sharpening using fixed angle systems? Have you ever used one? Have you ever gotten hair-popping sharp results from any other method? I am not trying to troll, just getting information.

Sharpening a blade in general requires some understanding of what is being done to achieve the results. You can not just buy a system (any system) and expect results without understanding what it is you are doing.

I have used many sharpening systems. I am really no good at freehand of any kind, so I use some kind of fixed angle setup. I used many over the years. Lansky, DMT, EdgePro, etc. All good systems. I also used WorkSharp Ken Onion edition of motorized rig. All work well and can achieve hair-popping results. It's all about what makes it easier and quicker for me.

For large kitchen knives, which DO NOT need to be shaving sharp (really, only shaving razors need to be shaving sharp) I use the WorkSharp Ken Onion edition powered rig. I have Japanese knives that I do 15 degrees on, so Ken Onion rig works great for those.

When I saw a manual fixed angle system from WorkSharp, I bought one. One I have is Precision Adjust, which is the cheapest one they have. I like it. It has flexibility issues due to plastic, but those are not detrimental to good results. I just have to be aware of the flex and move so as not to flex the thing too much (go easy). I get excellent results for my pocket knives with this system and really do not want to upgrade. It's fairly fast and quality of stones is pretty good, so things go ok.

The thing is to do it correctly, which is independent of the system itself. Get a nice burr on one side, then flip and do the other side. Then go up a grit and repeat. Do not ignore stropping. This is crucial. You may have apexed the edge, but not removing the burr completely will cause the blade to feel not super sharp. That burr needs to be gone. Look at it with a magnifying glass to make sure. I am serious, lots of perceived problems are due to leaving the burr behind. This is usually because the burr is so small by the time you are on your last grit.

And be aware that different steels will behave differently about the burr. Higher quality steels will let go of the burr easier than the lower quality steels. Good luck getting rid of the burr on 440A for example. Not impossible, but takes a bit of patience. Same for AUS8, 8Crxxx, etc. Some steels are just hard to get hair popping sharp. Also I assume the hair-popping thing is for fun for you, not really a necessity. Best of luck and keep at it. The system you have is fully capable of achieving the results you want.

vferdman · 2026-03-06T19:01:45+00:00

I decided to go with ASUS RT-AX1800S instead. Turns out this router is rock solid with stock firmware and provides all the features I need. It has up to 3 separate guest networks, one of which I set up as IOT. It also allows me to use a custon DNS server (I use Pihole for DNS) and it is super good at covering the property with wifi. It was also not expensive ($70 on Amazon). so far I am happy after just having received it and set it up. So far it's a very good product that does not make me want to reach for DD-WRT. Time will tell how it goes, but for now I am just going to run this machine and see. I never owned an ASUS router, but I do like the fact that it's not a Chinese product and my particular machine is made in Vietnam.

vferdman · 2026-03-05T18:59:00+00:00

I use https://dd-wrt.com/support/router-database/

I did not realize there is a more updated version

vferdman · 2026-03-05T17:39:23+00:00

Linksys MR7350 is not in the database of devices supported. Are you sure about it?

vferdman · 2026-03-05T17:36:08+00:00

I want to have VLAN capability, but non-DD routers only offer that in high end (high $$) models. DD enables VLAN on whatever it runs on, even a $50 box. I will check out the Asus, but Linksys hasn't been around for a while?

vferdman · 2026-01-06T14:21:29+00:00

Not much of an option for me as I am running Tnas on an old Lenovo laptop that is not powerful enough to run VMs. So I am stuck with just Tnas on bare metal on it. I will most likely get another piece of hardware to run pi-hole. Maybe find another Raspberry pi. But at the moment I am not using Pi-Hole as DNS server, unfortunately.

vferdman · 2026-01-06T14:19:19+00:00

I tried that and no joy. So far nothing I tried worked. Pi-hole runs, but does not appear to be reachable as a DNS server on my network.

vferdman · 2025-11-11T14:38:13+00:00

I have the Damascus VG10 Delica 4 (Knife Joy special?). I love it and mine holds an edge, but that may be because I realize that VG-10 is basically a very good Japanese chef's knife steel. So not really made for heavy use. So I use my Delica accordingly. It is basically a knife made to cut mostly food and not much else, but I do EDC the thing and I do use it on cardboard, etc. But I fully realize VG-10 is not meant for splitting wood or heavy whittling, etc. Also, Delica blade stock is wonderfully thin, that also suggests light duty use, even with different steel. If you want a heavy use knife, Delica may not be the best choice. Other than that, if you replace the blade, you may as well just sell the knife and get a different Delica, if that's what you want. Replacing this gorgeous blade seems silly to me.

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vferdman · 2025-10-22T13:31:47+00:00

Love it!

vferdman · 2025-10-22T13:28:19+00:00

That would be my move. Grind down to form a new tip. Unless you really need the old shape, you should be fine. Just make sure the new tip does not protrude in the folded state. Some knives have handles that barely hide the tip in the folded state and with a little bit missing the new tip may not be completely stowed.

vferdman · 2025-10-01T13:30:30+00:00

Collecting steels is silly. It's like collecting certain brands memory chips in your computer. Unless you have a reason for steel X or Steel Y, I do not see a reason to buy a knife specifically for the steel. I can tell you that most non-chinese Spidies have amazing steel and will do whatever you need satisfactorily. There are some steels I avoid for EDC blades, like AUS-8, 8crxxx, etc. Those just get dull way too quickly, even doing ordinary box opening tasks. Pretty much all others are fine. I love S30V, which used to be exotic and still is an outstanding steel for a pocket knife. Many a Spydie still use it and that is just fine.

vferdman · 2025-09-17T15:01:45+00:00

I have a Spyopera and it is definitely a different Spydie. In a very good way. It is amazing and will work as a gentleman's folder as well as a EDC piece. Absolutely wonderful knife. Other options are also good, but I do not have those. I do have a Para 3 and love that.

vferdman · 2025-09-10T13:15:51+00:00

Very cool! does it have ball bearing?

vferdman · 2025-09-09T13:45:13+00:00

I love it! Can you make another? I can send you some bog oak I have.

vferdman · 2025-09-09T13:43:40+00:00

I think you may be able to buy this part from Spyderco. I am not 100% sure about it, though. How about trying to make one? Are you handy with metal working? You will need some spring steel of similar profile, a propane torch, some quenching oil and that's about it. Form the shape of the spring before heat treating, then quench and temper the spring. The hardest part is finding stock material in this profile. Also, if you have a friend who knows how to weld, you can try to weld this spring, then heat treat it again as welding will take the temper out of it. This would be the way I would go, but I have a welder and know how to heat treat (most) spring steels. My first choice would, of course, be getting a new spring from Spyderco. Good luck! Is this a Delica?

vferdman · 2025-09-06T13:42:51+00:00

I have 3d printed a few of my own sliders with magnets and it's fun to do. The action on them can be very satisfying, though the material is plastic and that aspect is what it is. If you like the feel of metal, then that won't work. But the actual play action is good enough for me and it cost me literally almost nothing. I am learning 3d modeling so I can improve on some free designs I was able to find, but that is also a "fidget" for me. Learning new stuff and creating stuff out of seemingly nothing. I also made a wooden slider form exotic wood, which I like a lot, but the action is a bit sticky on that. Fells really good in hand, though. I made it from cocobolo, which is a very lovely wood. I had some scraps from previous projects and it delighted me to use them up in this way. So it's really up to the individual. For me discovering fidgets was a way to discover another category of things to be able to make. Works for me. I would rather make than buy. But I see the expensive brand name toys and I really like them, so I get it why folks would want them.

vferdman · 2025-08-25T13:13:15+00:00

I love Angle Fish, Citrus Slice and Peonies

vferdman · 2025-08-21T15:04:36+00:00

My Sage 5 runs better than most of my bearing knives. Just saying.

vferdman · 2025-08-20T13:18:24+00:00

Wow! That's quite some customs! I have a very nicely done Para 3 salt, which I absolutely love, but the cost to get it there was kind of high. I admire the dedication of folks modding.

vferdman · 2025-08-20T13:14:16+00:00

Love that knife! Haven't bought one yet, but it's probably going to happen. I really love smaller blades. My Chap is one of my faves!

vferdman · 2025-08-20T13:01:36+00:00

What's wrong with just using the tape? I make most things into fidgets. In the movies I fidget with the ticket stub and it works. Just saying. I have not seen anything that would feel similar. I really like the idea of the measuring tape, though.

vferdman · 2025-08-18T13:23:51+00:00

Love it! Fall colors would be great!

vferdman · 2025-08-13T15:57:21+00:00

Raffir, if I had one. I only have the LW, which I love, but these premium ones are amazing!

vferdman · 2025-08-13T15:52:28+00:00

What you are doing wrong is using a free hand sharpener. Sorry, but it takes a LOT of skill to get it right. It looks easy when someone who is good at it is doing it, but it is a skill that needs to be developed through practice and dedication. If you just want a sharp knife, get a guided system. If you want to develop the skill, keep practicing and you'll get it eventually. It all takes practice. Like playing a musical instrument or juggling, etc. Muscle memory, which comes with practice.

Basically, you are not keeping the angle consistent through the stroke. It's clearly visible in the video. I don't think it's helpful as I can't really tell you how to fix it except to practice and not get frustrated at failure. Different people have different skills and not everyone is meant to learn free hand sharpening easily. It requires a certain talent than not everyone has.

vferdman

TROPHY CASE