The Accessory I Wish Came with the Xarilk Gen 3 Knife Sharpener
I've spent a lot of time with the Xarilk Gen 3 Knife Sharpener, and overall I've been extremely impressed with the system.
The clamp is solid, the sharpening performance is excellent, and the system offers a lot of value for the money. Like many sharpening enthusiasts, I've accumulated a collection of stones and accessories, and the Xarilk Gen 3 has become one of the systems I regularly reach for.
However, after using it for a while, I found myself running into the same problem over and over again.
The Problem Wasn't Sharpening
The problem wasn't getting a sharp edge.
The problem was keeping everything organized.
Every sharpening session seemed to start the same way. I'd gather my stones, find my marker, locate the Allen key, grab the guide rod, and find wherever I had left the oil bottle. During sharpening I'd set things down, move them around, and by the end of the session my workbench looked like a yard sale for sharpening equipment.
I started thinking that the Xarilk Gen 3 really needed some sort of organizer that mounted directly to the system.
Looking for a Solution
I searched around to see if something already existed, but I wasn't finding exactly what I wanted.
Most solutions either stored only stones or required additional bench space. I wanted something that kept all of the frequently used accessories together and within easy reach.
Most importantly, I wanted it attached directly to the sharpener so everything moved as a single unit.
So I did what I usually do when I can't find a product that fits my needs.
I opened my CAD software and started designing.
Several Prototypes Later...
This project ended up taking several prototypes before I was happy with it.
Some versions held stones well but wasted space.
Some versions stored accessories but made the tray too large.
Others worked great until I actually sat down and sharpened a knife and discovered something needed to be moved.
I had a great idea to attach the tray to the base using magnets, until I later realized that the base is aluminum and not magnetic.
After several rounds of testing and redesigning, I finally arrived at a layout that felt natural to use.
What Ended Up Making the Cut
The final organizer tray mounts directly to the Xarilk Gen 3 Knife Sharpener and locks in place using a rear securing latch.
It provides storage for sharpening stones, guide rods, the stone holder, Allen key, marker (included), oil (included), and even a small parts tray for screws and hardware.
One feature I'm particularly happy with is the included guide rod holder. When flipping a knife, I always found myself looking for somewhere to safely set the guide rod. Now it has a dedicated place to go.
I also included a phone tray because many sharpeners already use a smartphone as an angle finder. Rather than purchasing another tool, you can simply place your phone in the tray and use your preferred angle measurement app.
Two Versions for Different Stones
Because Xarilk Gen 3 users tend to use a mix of sharpening stones, I created two versions.
One version is designed around standard 6 inch by 1 inch sharpening stones.
The second version is designed specifically around Xarilk branded stones.
This allows users to choose the version that best matches their sharpening setup.
Built by a Xarilk User
One of the advantages of being a sharpening enthusiast is that I get to design products that solve problems I personally encounter.
This organizer tray wasn't created because I wanted another product in my store.
It was created because I wanted one sitting on my own kitchen counter.
After using it for several weeks, I decided other Xarilk Gen 3 owners might appreciate it as well.
Where to Buy
Some customers prefer Shopify, while others prefer Etsy, so we make the product available in both places. Please note that we do not sell to the EU through Etsy, only through Shopify.
Final Thoughts
The Xarilk Gen 3 Knife Sharpener has earned a permanent spot in my sharpening rotation. It delivers excellent results and offers a tremendous amount of capability for the price.
As my collection of stones and accessories grew, however, I found myself wanting a better way to keep everything organized and within reach. What started as a simple idea eventually turned into a product that I now use every time I sharpen a knife.
The organizer tray won't make your knives sharper, but it will make the sharpening process more organized, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Everything has a dedicated place, which means less time searching for accessories and more time focusing on the edge you're creating.
If you're a Xarilk Gen 3 owner and have ever found yourself trying to find a marker or oil, moving stones around the workbench, or looking for a place to set your sharpening accessories, I think you'll appreciate what this organizer tray brings to the system.
And as always, I'd love to hear your feedback. Many of my best product improvements have come directly from other sharpening enthusiasts, and I'm always looking for ways to make these systems even better.