knife sharpening DVD suggestions

[Ken S]

We have requested more training DVDs.  I have some thoughts to share for a more in depth knife sharpening DVD.  I hope other forum members will add their thoughts.

Jeff Farris' knife sharpening you tube is very well done, and a worthy pattern for a more in depth version.
i believe more "intelligent repetition" of the basics would be valuable.  i would like to see the new video include sharpening several knives.  In the real world, some knives need more work than just sharpening.  Some knives need to have the bolsters thinned.  Some knives have less than ideal edge curves.  I would like to see both these issues addressed and followed through to good sharpening.

I would like to see several knives of different sizes sharpened.  This should include both the Tormek small blade and long knife sharpening jigs.

I would like to see scalloped knives included.  Anyone who has read my posts on this knows that I have different ideas, but at least the standard procedures should be included.

I believe a more in depth and repetitious fifteen minute knife video would be most valuable. Please add thoughts.

Ken

[Rob]

I think your ideas are great Ken.  They start to flesh out the content of any such undertaking and because you're a real customer, we know that content is sincerely focused.  Little effort or debate need be expended on the what.

I however would like to raise a very necessary first step that precedes the "what" and that's the "will it be".

You see it's all very well going into peals of detail about the what and the how but we did this before if you recall when we (the customers) arbitrarily decided (in a vacuum) that a series of training stickys would help new users.  Due to a variety of reasons which I wont bore readers with that never really got off the ground.

So in my view what's needed before we go wasting a lot of time volunteering content ideas is some kind of feedback/accountability loop from Tormek.  Essentially what's needed first is a statement acknowledging whether or not this initiative is worth pursuing.  Is this a valid idea (given Kenny K's experience) or does Stig believe the current support infrastructure setup is meeting all new customer demands for support?

Tormek/Stig...we need a decision please.  Is this DVD idea worth pursuing and if so would you like this forum's contribution to the content?  If so, how would you like to structure the management of the input?

If the response is no thank you, not at this time, that's a valid and useful response so we don't all go stampeding down a content creation path with no rational goal at the end.

[Ken S]

Good point, Rob. I spent thirty five years repairing telephone and data lines, so my mind path is oriented toward fixing problems.  In this case, Rob is right.  The ball is Tormek AB's court.

Ken

[Stickan]

 I´m listening 
The biggest problem is time, were can a man buy more hours ?

Stig

[SharpenADullWitt]

I´m listening 
The biggest problem is time, were can a man buy more hours ?

Stig

A day on Pluto is approximately 153.36 hours.
Otherwise, what did you do with all that time off?  (I have been trying the last several years to take a vacation, too many people not at work getting injured, and their hospital stays, keep preventing that). Last vacation, was over 22 years ago.
Doesn't matter what you do, there is also more projects, then time.

[Elden]

What is the current status of action in regard to this post?

[Rob]

I think we can take it that Tormek don't have the bandwidth to resource this idea. 

[Ken S]

Elden, I am glad you revived this topic.

I believe Stig has posted a very honest answer. I know Stig well enough to believe him when he says he is listening. He posts a very good question: Where can a man buy more hours?

My answer is when the company management allocates more funding and personnel to the situation. In fairness to Tormek AB, their training material is better than much of the industry. As Tormek users, we can see room for improvement. As much as I enjoy the Tormek Friends, these do not address the specific issues we requested.

I hope Steve Bottorff's soon to be released knive sharpening DVD will cover the knife issues. Steve, I hope you will update us.

Ken

[Elden]

Thanks for the replies Rob and Ken. I can understand what you are saying, Ken. I am looking forward to Steve B' s as well. I was pressed for time when that was written this morning so I didn't mention that. As you stated earlier in the thread, I would like to see a genuinely dull knife sharpened. Preferably one that has some persuaded nicks in it.

[bobl]

I agree, there should be a more realistic DVD on used knife sharpening. I have a small part time knife sharpening business and have recently purchased the T7. Sometimes I think when I am using the T7 instead of my other machine the Catra I100, I think its not going to work. Actually it does work ( the T7 ) but I am bench marking the time on the sharpening between the T7 DVD on a relatively un-damaged knife and my own experiences on a different machine. Plus I am still getting to grips with the T7 and enjoying it very much, in fact the T7 is a very therapeutic machine and I will be using it more than the Catra machine as time goes bye.
My point is and I agree with Ken, that there should be a second DVD for people like me, sharpening chefs knives and repairing badly used/old knives so both the enthusiast and the professionals get a good overview in relation to the Real time for all different types of knives to be sharpened. If you do this, then it will put you ahead of the competitors, who all, in my experience, give an unrealistic demonstration as to the time required to sharpen a knife on their given machines. ( I have seen many and tried Many )   
Tormek are very good, they have a great machine. It should be shown on a realistic basis for professionals too.
Thanks for putting up with my rant.
I look forward to your views.
Bob The Knife Grinder.

[Jimmy R Jørgensen]

What Bobl said

[Rob]

The problem for Tormek marketing folks is the "truth" about how much grinding time is really required is unacceptable as a message to give prospective customers pre-sale.  All the promotional collateral clearly shows the grinding is done very swiftly....almost with zero effort in fact.  The reality (engineering) and the message (marketing) are always at odds in these situations.

[Ken S]

I believe more knife sharpening you tubes will surface. The question for me is who will do the you tubes? 

If Tormek should choose to produce the videos, I would expect them to be well done with solid information. I would also expect both the equipment and technique to be exclusivelyTormek.

If the videos were to be made by a high end, but independent Experienced Tormek user, I would expect the same level of solid information. It might well include other manufacturer's equipment and non orthodox techniques, however, I would expect the same high quality.

If the videos were made by an amateur "expert" who obviously spent at least fifteen minutes with the Tormek, I don't know what I would expect.

I have no problem with any company using educational media to promote its products. Jeff Farris certainly wanted to sell Tormeks; that was how he made his living. While his videos, blog, demos and posts helped promote Tormek, his work also provided honest education for the customers.

I am looking forward to studying Steve Bottorff's upcoming DVD. I hope there will be others, from Steve and other good Tormek experts. I also hope Tormek will see this as an opportunity to increase sales by providing present owners with more in depth training materials.

Ken

[Herman Trivilino]

Volunteers will have to make videos that are realistic representations of what the device and its options will do, including both the good and the bad. That will prompt Tormek to make more videos that accurately represent the capabilities.

One thing I'd like to see is the SJ grindstone's pros and cons.

[Rob]

you can add the SB to that list!  It's theory is clear, in practice I'm less certain.