Messages

1

General Tormek Questions / Re: BESS Score Increase Due to Using Multiple Tormeks?

« on: Today at 12:57:24 am »

Watch a master sharpener..... He does not seem to find his Tormek waaaay too slow:

https://youtu.be/8zQDmQ_n7wg

Ken

2

Knife Sharpening / Re: Laser Knife Edge Reader for better knife sharpening

« on: Yesterday at 02:07:04 pm »

I continue to learn from my longtime friend and mentor, Steve Bottorff. On Steve's recommendation, I purchased a Laser Knife Edge Reader. I believe it will prove a useful part of my knife sharpening. The design is clever. The laser component is bullet shaped, originally designed for bore sighting. The plastic component quickly becomes intuitive, even for someone like me who had never used a geniometer previously. I think this product offers a lot of bang for the buck.

I found the customer service excellent. Ken Leonard responded to my questions promptly.

Thanks, Steve, for the recommendation.

Ken

3

Wood Turning / Nick Agar you tubes

« on: Yesterday at 12:01:36 pm »

Nick Agar has recently done a series of eight you tubes on sharpening turning tools. I have found them to have solid technique, good organization, and be "right sized" (long enough to contain plenty of information without being overly long). I have long considered the woodturning DVD which Jeff Farris made for Tormek essential training for Tormek turners. Most Tormek related videos I watch only once. Those which I consider Top Shelf, I like to watch multiple times to absorb the subtle points. I consider these you tubes by Nick Agar Top Shelf.
They are part of the Tormek Sharpening Solutions you tube channel. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGpQjduHna4CJJXg2kiw62y-eRf5WTnyg

Ken

4

General Tormek Questions / Re: Sharpening direction question from a beginner

« on: July 08, 2020, 10:59:36 pm »

With this question in mind, I watched a couple videos by sharpeners I respect (Knife Grinders and Sharpco). Both of them used carefully controlled technique slowly moving from heel to tip, only grinding in the one direction. A video by a sharpener I do not hold in such high regard moved more quickly in both directions. I did not detect the same feeling of control. These observations matched my gut feeling.

Maarten, whenever we sharpen, we build muscle memory and form habits. Why not use this opportunity to fine tune our technique?

Ken

5

Knife Sharpening / Re: New Products From Knife Grinders

« on: July 08, 2020, 06:58:56 pm »

I ordered a felt wheel from Knife Grinders. The felt wheel has no indent, like the Tormek grinding wheels. The 50mm thick wheel with no indent looked like very few of the EZYlock threads made contact. Vadim, to his credit, realized the same thing and changed the thickness to 45mm for future orders. He refunded my payment and advised me of the problem.

Regarding the situation with the T4, I measured the shafts on my T4 and T8. The part of the shaft which holds the wheel is the same length on both. Also, for the felt wheel, the 250mm felt wheel will fit with the water trough removed. It's overkill if you are using the T4 for grinding. 200mm felt wheels are available.

Ken

6

General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek T4 Japanese stone

« on: July 08, 2020, 06:05:17 pm »

I would suggest staying with the marker. One of our members, Rich Colvin, has suggested using a red marker. Either would work.

The official Tormek technique lags actual practice a bit. The SG and SJ are two different stones. The stone grader is designed to work with the SG. Try using an abrasive rubber eraser like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Eraser-Sabitoru-Medium-2-piece/dp/B00FS0BFJC

They clean the ground off metal quickly and gently. They are also very useful for general metal stain and beginning rust removal. Frequent touch up use will keep your SJ in tip top condition.

Ken

7

General Tormek Questions / Re: New Stone or new Tormek?

« on: July 07, 2020, 09:49:25 pm »

Brad, I am pleased to see that you are enjoying both your T4 and your T3. One of our members (Jeff55?) made the astute comment that "the fastest reload is a second gun". I have never owned a T3, however, at $75, I would have thought of numerous uses for it and would have not have left without it.

I have "mixed and matched" Tormek parts for several years. One of my earliest impressions when I first received my T4 was how much alike it was with my T7 and other Tormek models. Most of the parts are the same. It uses the same jigs and most of the same accessories. In many ways, the T4 has been the prototype for the major upgrades in the T8.

I think you will enjoy your T4. Do stayintouch.

Ken

8

Knife Sharpening / Re: Introduicing The KenJig Video Calculator...

« on: July 05, 2020, 10:20:12 pm »

Thanks for thinking of me, CB. I am really not as competer adverse as you might think.

Using your illustration as a starting point. If we set the Projection and Distance as shown, and maintain a standard bevel angle, everything will be preset for the next knife or fifteen knives, with or without a computer. The wheel diameter will gradually diminish with use, however, for most of us this will occur very gradually.

For the record, I set up the kenjig using Dutchman's original tables. When I need to calculate a new kenjig, such as to sharpen my Chinese vegetable cleaver, I either refer back to Dutchman's original tables or use your Calcapp. (Dutchman's newest tables require a computer program I do not have.)

Ken

9

Knife Sharpening / Re: Flat bevel on the side of CBN/Diamond Wheels

« on: July 05, 2020, 12:27:07 pm »

Warum?

10

General Tormek Questions / Re: What to do with my new found T4?

« on: July 05, 2020, 12:25:05 pm »

Welcome to the active forum, John.

At $75, you certainly did not overpay for your T4. In fact, if I had seen it before you, I would have had the fastest wallet draw in Columbus! (Actually, if I had known you wanted to purchase it, I would have deferred to you; I already have a T4.)

I agree with Jan's thoughts. The T4 and T8 are both different and remarkably similar. I would not recommend replacing the cracked SG-200 at this time. The T4 can utilize other options. Some future possibilities:

Norton makes useful 3X 46 and 80 grit grinding wheels. The largest size is 8 inches. These can work with the T8, however, they are same diameter for the T4. They are the fastest cutting wheels I have found for a Tormek. I make reducing bushings to fit the 12 mm Tormek shaft out of plastic water pipe. If you want to go this route sometime in the future, let me know. I can help you to get set up.

The T4 frame will hold a 200mm (8”) wheel with a water trough OR a 250mm (10”) wheel with no water trough. I presently have a ten inch rock hard felt deburring wheel on order. I plan to use my T4 as a dedicated deburrer. Incidentally, the EZYlock end of the shafts are the same lengths on both the T4 and T8. The recess depths on the outside of the wheels are different to compensate for the difference in wheel widths.

If you eventually set up a retirement sharpening business, the T4 makes an ideal portable sharpening machine. It weighs half the poundage of a T8, and is more compact. It is a perfect fit for either of the two diamond wheels and the rubber honing wheel for the T2. This lets you operate without water or honing compound if you are mobile.

Be sure to register your Tormeks on the website. In addition to preserving your warranty, registration lets you download the latest edition of the online handbook.

My mentor, Steve Bottorff, used an old SuperGrind for many years at farmers markets. He also volunteered to help sharpen knives at a Boy Scout Jamboree. He had to hike in carrying his Tormek. He was very grateful to have his T4 with him. Incidentally, you should check out Steve's website, sharpeningmadeeasy.com. The DVD Steve made, Sharpening School, is head and shoulders the best training resource for setting up a sharpening business. Steve made it as he was retiring from teaching sharpening. It is an excellent alternative.

Keep us posted.

Ken

11

General Tormek Questions / Re: Upgrade old tormek with US-103

« on: July 04, 2020, 09:41:01 pm »

Ivar,

I received this from a friend at Tormek:

"There is a kit of the vertical sleeves being sold at Clas Ohlson, a chain of stores in Norway and Sweden,  with a description how to mount them."

I hope this helps.

Ken

12

General Tormek Questions / Re: Upgrade old tormek with US-103

« on: July 03, 2020, 05:08:09 pm »

Good thinking, Jan!

Ken

13

General Tormek Questions / Re: Upgrade old tormek with US-103

« on: July 03, 2020, 01:43:00 pm »

Welcome to the forum, Ivar.

You have inherited a very nice old Tormek. In ten years of active involvement, your post is the first I have read of this model.

I agree with Rich about the importance of emailing support (support@tormek.se). I have worked with support often. I have always found support very helpful. Located at the Tormek factory in Sweden, support has unmatched resources and experience. There is no charge for the service.

Please keep us posted.

Ken

14

Knife Sharpening / Re: Tormek wheels bi directional?

« on: July 02, 2020, 10:23:02 pm »

Scotty,

I double checked and looked at both my SG-200 and SJ-200. Both of my wheels have an indent of about 3/16” on the inner third of the side with the label. I have never seen a Tormek matrix wheel without an indent. I do have a non Tormek 600 gritmatrix wheel which has no indent.

Are you sure that your wheels are Tormek wheels?

Ken

15

Knife Sharpening / Re: Tormek wheels bi directional?

« on: July 01, 2020, 07:06:05 pm »

Scotty,

Two constraints; The left hand EZYlock thread would be going in the wrong direction. The grinding wheels are only recessed on one side.
However, with sleeves for the universal support bar on both sides, it is easy to use the Tormek grinding in either direction.

Ken