The Modüla™ Sharpening System
The Modüla™ Sharpening System: with three convenient diamond coated grit levels designed for effortless, consistent results without damaging your knife. It's ideally suited to both Modüla™ knives and most Western-style symmetrical blades, giving you pro-level results at home or anywhere.
Your Trilobite arrives with the mounting hardware needed to fit your Modüla™ sharpener head. Follow these five steps to set it up for your preferred sharpening hand.
1. Meet your Trilobite
Place the Trilobite on a stable, flat surface with the ribbed hand rest facing upwards.
2. Check your hardware
Locate the supplied screws and nuts. You will use two sets to secure the sharpener head.
3. Fit the screws
Choose the mounting holes that suit your sharpening choice. If you want a permanent fix for your 2000 grit sharpener head, place the four screws to the outside holes. If you're alternating between grits, use two screws (pictured). Hold each nut securely underneath, then tighten the screw from above.
4. Position the sharpener head
Rest your non-dominant hand comfortably on the ribbed section. Place the sharpener head over the screws, aligning the screw heads with the larger openings in the mounting slots.
5. Lock it into place
Slide the sharpener head towards you until it sits securely beneath the screw heads.
Your Modüla™ sharpener is now assembled and ready to use.
We’ve heard your questions about the diamond coating, engaging the sharpening section and securing the head on the Trilobite. Here’s how those parts work together.
Why is the diamond coating different?
Each head is engineered for a different job:
400 grit - restore. Coarse diamonds cover the entire tine (the flexible fingers) to rebuild blunt or damaged edges.
1000 grit - sharpen. Diamonds cover the lower section to sharpen and refine the edge, leaving a smooth upper section for everyday honing.
2000 grit - finish. Finer diamonds cover the lower section to further refine the edge, with a smooth upper section for honing.
The smooth upper section on the 1000 and 2000 grit heads is intentional. It lets you maintain your edge without engaging the diamonds every time, preserving more of your blade over years of use.
Honing and sharpening require different pressure.
Use light pressure in the smooth upper section for everyday honing. When honing no longer brings the edge back, apply firmer pressure to engage the diamond-coated section below, using a controlled rocking motion.
Light honing strokes aren’t intended to reach the diamonds. They perform a different function.
Choose your Trilobite mounting setup.
For a permanent mount, use all four supplied screws through the outside mounting holes to secure the head to your Trilobite. The 1000 or 2000 grit head is ideal for this setup.
If you’d like to swap between grit heads, use two screws. Place the head over the screw heads, then slide it towards your body into the locked position. Rest your non-dominant hand on the Trilobite’s ribbed hand rest.
The screws should be tight enough to hold the head securely once it’s in position. If the head still feels loose, tighten the screws: push each nut upwards from underneath the base and hold it firmly while turning the screw from above. Check again before use - a correctly secured head should not move.
The below video demonstrates honing, sharpening then back to honing.
Watch Mark (engineer and founder) explain the diamond coverage and honing sections.
If you're having difficulty getting the results you expected and if your head still moves after tightening, or you’re struggling to engage the sharpening section, please email info@solidteknics.com so we can help assess your individual setup and sharpener.
How It Works
The diamond coating removes metal quickly and precisely. The non-diamond upper section hones the edge to a mirror finish.
Three stages total:
Stage 1 (15°, 400 grit) – major sharpening/reconstruction (diamonds along the entire tine)
Stage 2 (20°, 1000 grit) – edge shaping (diamonds located lower half of each tine)
Stage 3 (20°, 2000 fine grit) – final hone and polish (diamonds located lower half of each tine)
Step-by-Step Process: Existing Sharp Edge
- Start with 2000 grit for fine sharpening and honing.
- If your knife still isn't sharp enough, switch to the 1000 grit side. You'll feel a light "tooth" texture — that means your edge is ready.
- Leave it slightly toothy for a fine-serrated edge, ideal for everyday slicing.
Step-by-Step Process: Dull Edge
- Start with 400 grit for reconstruction.
- Switch to the 1000 grit to refine the edge.
- Switch to 2000 grit for a mirror polish, or leave slightly toothy.
If you don't have the trilobite, you can still use the sharpener heads by mounting it in the following ways.
1. Permanent Mount: Screw down through the 4 heart-shaped holes or the 2 larger key holes into any wood surface.
2. Keyhole Screw Mounting: Use a single screw mounted in the corner of a cutting board. The keyhole slot on the sharpener head can be directly dropped over the screw head for quick and convenient sharpening.
3. Bamboo Case Mount: Utilize the bamboo case that houses your Solidteknics Modüla knives. The case features two screw heads mounted at the end where the Modüla sharpener heads can be attached directly via the 2 keyhole slots.
Watch our full instructional video:
- Wipe Clean After Use: Use a dry cloth or soft brush to remove any residue.
- No oil or water needed: Unlike whetstones, the diamond coating works best dry.
- Store in a dry place: Such as a drawer when not mounted.
- Rock, don't drag: Use a gentle rocking motion to sharpen your knives.
- Sharpen + hone in one head: Apply firmer pressure deeper in the channel to engage the diamonds for sharpening, and lighter strokes at the smooth top section to hone.