Recent posts

#1

Tormek T-1 and T-2 / Re: revisiting a firestorm

Last post by tgbto - Today at 09:11:18 AM

I do take issue with your comment about the T2 being for customers who "don't care about bevel looks". Before composing this, I sharpened several kitchen knives with my T2. The bevels looked fine to me.

I understand why you may feel the way you do. The technique for the T2 differs significantly from our old standby technique for the T8s, etc. We were all taught to lift the knife rather than pivot. That works fine with a T8, but not with the T2. Different does not necessarily mean better or worse.

Ken, this is not a question of how I feel or how the edge of a particular knife looks. This is a question of geometry : the T2 is a constant angle sharpener, so if the thickness at the tip of the knife differs from what it is along the flat or belly of the knife, then the bevel width *will* vary. In this respect, the T2 will have the same problems encountered by those who who use a Trizor XV, or who pivot without lifting on a Tormek using the laser line: some (many) bevels will get wider, some (a few) will get narrower. And of course some (in between) won't vary. However the sharpener has no control over this.
And I didn't say this was necessarily worse : some will prefer to maintain a constant angle at the expense of looks because the blade cuts consistently from tip to heel. For knives that get thicker though, it will require accepting the difference in looks *and* heavy grinding the first time to reshape the tip. Again, no choice.

I sharpen knives as a hobby but I sharpen those of a professional, high-end chef, who happens to be a friend. He wouldn't care if most of his knives were altered in the tip area. But along with a couple of his chefs, he owns a few knives that he cherishes, and whoever touches them had better make sure they look the same after sharpening. The same is true for many knife enthusiasts.

I'm sure the shot angles in the T2 (101 or 202) videos are carefully chosen, as well as the knife for the demo. I'll gladly send Tormek the reference for a knife and wager a T8 that, when sharpened with a T2 for the first time, will be "sharpie trick compliant" for 80 to 90% of the blade and then completely off at the tip.

The T2 and T1 are targeted for niche markets. Neither is a general purpose machine. In my humble opinion, each of them suits their targeted niches very well.

Agreed, yet again for T2 the target seems to be (I quote Tormek) a "professional kitchen". Which you might agree is quite different from a "knife only sharpening business".
I don't take time to reply to each post where you make the case for the T2 for a professional sharpener just for fun. I genuinely think that not being extremely clear about the consequences of constant-angle sharpening in that use case is paving the way for disappointment and waste of time/money.

If I were to become a "knife only side job sharpener", I'd rather go with a variable-speed belt sander, a coarse-to-ultrafine-grit set of belts and a leather belt, a BGM 100, USB-430 and a knife jig.

Using this setup, curious how would you set up and ensure repeatable 15 dps (or 12, or 17)?

An example can be found in this post. It can be replicated on most backstands, sometimes even without the need for the BGM+USB. An angle cube plus the constant projection method allow for serial sharpening.

#2

General Tormek Questions / Re: HoneRite and the SJ-250

Last post by CopperFish - Today at 07:17:37 AM

Ken your solution is so easy and simple.

#3

Tormek T-1 and T-2 / Re: revisiting a firestorm

Last post by tcsharpen - Today at 05:10:19 AM

If I were to become a "knife only side job sharpener", I'd rather go with a variable-speed belt sander, a coarse-to-ultrafine-grit set of belts and a leather belt, a BGM 100, USB-430 and a knife jig.

Using this setup, curious how would you set up and ensure repeatable 15 dps (or 12, or 17)?

#4

Tormek T-1 and T-2 / Re: revisiting a firestorm

Last post by Ken S - Today at 04:45:08 AM

TGB,

I don't have an issue with much of your reply. As I have never personally sharpened food processor or round blades, I have no direct experience. While I was visiting Tormek, I met and talked with Johan, the T2 Manager. He struck me as both knowledgeable and a straight shooter.

I do take issue with your comment about the T2 being for customers who "don't care about bevel looks". Before composing this, I sharpened several kitchen knives with my T2. The bevels looked fine to me.

I understand why you may feel the way you do. The technique for the T2 differs significantly from our old standby technique for the T8s, etc. We were all taught to lift the knife rather than pivot. That works fine with a T8, but not with the T2. Different does not necessarily mean better or worse.

The T2 and T1 are targeted for niche markets. Neither is a general purpose machine. In my humble opinion, each of them suits their targeted niches very well.

Ken

#5

Knife Sharpening / Re: New angle jig KS-123

Last post by v6turbo - Today at 03:24:44 AM

dang its sold out and no stock until July and no option to get reminder when in stock

I ordered a second one from Sharpening Supplies yesterday and it noted restocking in two weeks.

yesterday ? i have been check the site for 3-4 day never saw it in stock

#6

General Tormek Questions / Re: Another newbie question - ...

Last post by cbwx34 - Yesterday at 11:07:15 PM

Hi All,

When sharpening chisels, and knives, how much pressure should I apply to the item being sharpened.  I am not using a lot of pressure, but from the videos I can't tell.

TIA

egg

(This does not apply to Diamond wheels.)

#7

General Tormek Questions / Another newbie question - Pres...

Last post by guitar_edg - Yesterday at 09:30:32 PM

Hi All,

When sharpening chisels, and knives, how much pressure should I apply to the item being sharpened.  I am not using a lot of pressure, but from the videos I can't tell.

TIA

egg

#8

Tormek T-1 and T-2 / Re: revisiting a firestorm

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 05:17:44 PM

I couldn't resist playing along so...

First of all I'm glad you downsized the original "knife sharpening business" to a "knife only side job sharpener".

However the T2 is still the same size and price as in the original post, with the same limitations (constant angle only/pivoting only). So as mentioned in the firestorm (apparently) post, you might want to restrict it further to a "knife only side job sharpener whose customers don't care about bevel looks". I don't think you dishonored a sacred cow : if anything you worshipped - maybe a tad too enthusiastically - an otherwise perfectly fine goat.

As for food processor blades me says if you can hone them freehand on a T2, you can sharpen them freehand on a T-8. Food processor blades don't need sub-100 BESS sharpness anyway given their intended use, so... As for rotary blades I believe the 80-140 mm diameter range offered is quite restricted (my ham slicers are 200 and 250 mm, and they're on the small side of slicers... most slicers I know of have built-in sharpeners anyway).

If I were to become a "knife only side job sharpener", I'd rather go with a variable-speed belt sander, a coarse-to-ultrafine-grit set of belts and a leather belt, a BGM 100, USB-430 and a knife jig. Less expensive than a T2, much faster, much more versatile.

#9

Knife Sharpening / Re: ceramic knives with the S ...

Last post by cbwx34 - Yesterday at 03:44:19 PM

This surprised me. Thoughts?

https://youtu.be/u1mMoXjHWcQ?si=gAGpWFrQJulJnGBt

Ken

I'll give it a little credibility...

I have a cheap KitchenAid ceramic knife, so I gave it a shot.  I graded the stone fine, wiped out the trough, then put in some fresh water.  After a dozen or so passes per side, I checked the water...

You cannot view this attachment.

... and there was a little improvement in sharpness, although nothing spectacular.  (The only way I've seen a real improvement in sharpness on a similar knife was with a diamond belt on a Worksharp.) Thinking about it, I probably should try a bit of honing... even though a burr isn't created, it might help refine the edge.

As mentioned above, I'm sure quality plays a part.

#10

Tormek T-1 and T-2 / revisiting a firestorm

Last post by Ken S - Yesterday at 03:16:30 PM

I inadvertantly caused a firestorm when I posted my idea that I thought a knife only side job sharpener might be better served with a T2 instead of a T4 or T8 as his main machine. Without any evil intentions, I apparently dishonored a sacred cow.

I respect the critical replies. They are based on good, solid Tormek experience. However; I don't always agree with them. A primary criticism was that the T2 can only sharpen kitchen knives. (To be fair, as a specialty machine, it is specifically designed for chefs to maintain their knives.) As an old hand with sharpening chisels and plane irons going back to oilstones, fine tooth mill files, and sandpaper on glass, I am quite sure I could sharpen chisels and plane irons with my T2. I freely admit that the T2 is no match for a T4 or T8 with these tools. How often do chefs sharpen woodworking tools?

Most youtube videos show a knife being thoroughly abused before being sharpened. Although the T2 survives this cruel and unusual punishment, how often do we see a good chef actually abuse his knives, the tools of his trade, like this? Yes, the T2 is really designed for knives to be regularly maintained. Why would a top professional want it otherwise?

"Only knives"? Not so. The two Tormek videos demonstrate sharpening other tools which are part of every kitchen such as food processor blades and rotary blades. Especially with food processor blades, I don't know of any other jig controlled method of sharpening these.

The more recent video (Johan and Hugo) includes some things not in the first video. The wheels used originally used were DWF, as opposed to the more recent DF with side diamonds. I reduced a bolster with my DWF, although the newer DF does this more conveniently using the side of the wheel. The newer video also shows some user modifications to expand the range of the jig.

I believe through field use the T2 is evolving into an even more useful machine. I leave it to the reader to decide if he wants to include it in his sharpening kit.

Ken