T1 - problem sharpening to the tip

[Apex56]

Hi, I've had my T1 for 10 months and get great results on my Wusthof utility and chef knives, and some cheaper santokus. Except the grinding wheel is making limited or no contact with the final one to two centimetres of the bevel to the tip of the knife. I've confirmed this using the marker method. 

I set the angle to 17 degrees on the Wusthofs and 15 for the santokus.

I've watched the Tormek instructional videos on YouTube, as well as those by Ukulele Jay BBQ and Torsten Kluske. I know to gradually lift the handle up as you near the tip, mainly on the Wusthofs, so the bevel stays at the correct angle to the wheel.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Is it possibly the clip-on angle guide being too thick for these knives at my angle settings? So the final section of the bevel to the tip is not contacting the grinding wheel? 

I would be grateful for your thoughts and suggestions.   

[tgbto]

It may be that this is the result of the T1 being a constant angle sharpener : as you near the apex, the grinding angle remains constant while the blade geometry usually changes (the most common is : it gets thicker behind the edge). Santokus should be less prone to this issue than standard, upward-curving european chef knives.

Usually, to maintain a constant bevel at the tip, such knives are sharpened at a higher angle near the tip. This way, the bevel width remains constant. Constant angle sharpeners will maintain a constant angle, so you will need to remove more material to get to the apex. Said otherwise, you will have to sharpen the shoulders of the bevel first, before you gradually move down to the apex.

You can confirm that hypothesis with the sharpie : apply it in such a manner that is extends beyond the edge onto the blade, and watch carefully after a full pass : if the ink is removed right where the bevel meets the flat of the blade, you have your answer. And with a constant angle sharpener there is just one way to do it : keep on grinding. Your bevel will widen but there is no alternative.

[Ken S]

Welcome to the forum, Apex 56.

I reached out to Samuel at Tormek, who did the T1 online class. In his reply, Samuel wrote that he consulted with support who suggested that you send them a short video ([email protected]).

Please keep us posted.

Ken