Zero Tolerance 350 Sharpening Techniques

[Stephen M]

Good Morning All!

I hope everyone is healthy and safe during this time of crisis.

One of my co-workers owns a Zero Tolerance 350.  It has an odd blade shape, I'm not educated enough to know what exactly you would call it so I included a picture.  I am seeking techniques, tips, and tricks to retain the blade shape.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you all so much!

-Stephen M.

[Roger M.]

A pin pivot collar would help, although it's been my experience that some complex blade shapes on relatively short knives are best sharpened by hand with one of the many guided rigs available.

Having said that, it's quite possible to do a knife like this on a Tormek without a pin pivot collar, although you must go slow, and it helps if you've practiced on an unimportant knife of your own.

[Stephen M]

Thank you Roger!

[cbwx34]

Good Morning All!

I hope everyone is healthy and safe during this time of crisis.

One of my co-workers owns a Zero Tolerance 350.  It has an odd blade shape, I'm not educated enough to know what exactly you would call it so I included a picture.  I am seeking techniques, tips, and tricks to retain the blade shape.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you all so much!

-Stephen M.

At first glance, the shape seems complicated, but with a bit of practice, you can do them on the Tormek.

Watch these videos for some tips...

Sharpening Concave Knives on the Tormek.
Sharpening Convex Knives on the Tormek .

The biggest takeaway(s)... round the edges of the wheel so it doesn't dig in, make light passes, and realize you have to tip the handle down to get into the recurve, then back up to cover the front.  You can practice with the machine off... and get a feel for the movement (and make sure you have clearance on both sides).

Make sure you mark the entire bevel with a Sharpie, so you can be sure that you removed metal along the entire length.  Make a pass, check, make a pass, check, etc.  Since the blade is short, if you lift the handle to reach the tip, it might end up a higher angle than the rest of the blade... so notice where Sharpie is being removed.  (You can rotate the blade to change the angle if you want).

Like Roger M said... may not want to practice on your friend's knife... unless he knows the risk.

[Stephen M]

Thank you cbxw34!  Really great advice!

[van]

Stephen M,

Never lose sight of the wave of water that forms on the edge of the blade

[John_B]

Stephen M,

Never lose sight of the wave of water that forms on the edge of the blade

Although this is easier to on straighter edged knives this is a great tip for all knives. I heard this somewhere early in my sharpening on the Tormek and it has served me well.
I think in the most recent Tormek video they mention it in passing but thanks Van for mentioning it again.

[cbwx34]

Never lose sight of the wave of water that forms on the edge of the blade

Good point!  Definitely helps with this type of work.