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The iOS upgrade did indeed cause a forced upgrade to all apps on my iPhone, including the two Knifegrinder apps.
"Forced upgrades" render the app currently on an iPhone unable to boot up, and as the app is no longer in the app store, it is also unable to upgrade.
No backup, upgrade to a new phone, or anything else beyond a simple iOS update.

I'm keeping them on my phone for now, as perhaps the next iOS update will cause them to return to functionality? ... who knows?

Your link is invaluable, and I've already moved on to trying a couple of the offerings on your site. Thanks very much for that!

**EDIT** - cbwx34 kindly identified my issue, which was that I had "Offload Unused Apps" turned to the "ON" position on my iPhone. So if you use Knifegrinders apps (or any other app that you like, but that has been removed from the App Store ... turn that to the "OFF" position!

Whatever came along with iOS 16.2 (20C65) has unfortunately rendered both of the Knifegrinder apps unusable on iPhone, as they try to execute a forced update, and of course the apps are no longer in the app store.

I don't know what the Android situation is currently? ... perhaps the apps still work on Android?

Vadim's apps were revolutionary when they first appeared, I jumped right on board and downloaded his standard app, and later the front vertical base app ... Wootz was certainly a powerhouse in the sharpening world ... I miss his non-stop research into almost anything to do with knife sharpening!

Off now to check out the generic equivalents, no choice really!

Roger maybe i have 20 or so in my shop in the future so u can buy there. I answer all the time at the same day
cheers Hanns

What is the contact information for your shop Hanns?

I found the same thing with Vetako. I wanted (and was ready with cash in hand) to order their Master+ Goniometer, but despite trying to contact them via email, telephone, and Facebook Messages - for every four or five communications I sent to them, I was lucky if I received one email back indicating whether the item was in stock, and/or what the shipping charges and arrangements would be to get the item to Canada. In the end they couldn't answer any of my questions.
I finally gave up.
I concluded that they're simply not at all set up to ship to North America, and actually have zero answers to any questions related to shipping to North America.

It's too bad, as it looks like incredibly well engineered equipment ... so nice that I may try again at some point, but not until I read of some successful North American Vetako customers.

IMO, nobody raises the bar as high, or as often as Wootz and Knifegrinders.
We're lucky to have him here, and his willingness to develop limited market ancillary products for the Tormek in order to provide new and/or better experiences while sharpening is deserving of much credit.

I use a T-4, so there is lots I can't use (like the felt wheel, and the new "speeder upper"), but the products and books I have purchased from Knifegrinders have made me a much better sharpener.

I don't disagree with anything you've posted John, but would only note that there is inherantly a comparison being made when a person mentions somebody else's technique (or the person themselves) by name, and then compares it to their own technique, thoughts, or process.
Muscle memory is a wonderful thing, but it is, by its very nature, a random and non-repeatable process - even for masters of the craft.
Trigonometry on the other hand, is hard data, repeatable thousands of times over with no variation in the results.

The two are so fundamentally different that comparisons are impossible, and attempting to compare one to the other (which I didn't do, rather I simply responded to the comparison being initially offered) is like comparing chalk and cheese.

I'll take the Trig, consistency, and ultimate sharpness over what is ultimately a guessing game as a way to get what I'm looking for.
This statement is the very foundation of the Tormek system and process, as the Tormek is the polar opposite of freehand sharpening ... and Vadim has taken the Tormek and quantified it even further in order to maximize the consistency and outcome of using the Tormek system.

Sharpening freehand, or on a abrasive belt (which is still ultimately freehand) is fine ... but the Tormek is what this forum is all about, and the Tormek (along with Vadim's procedures) is where I hang my sharpening hat.

[repeatedly]

The thing about Vadim's technique is that he backs everything he says or demonstrates up with a BESS sharpness test.
What isn't backed up with a BESS test is demonstrated photographically in his book (which every sharpener should own, read, and clearly understand).
Vadim's comments are never "off the cuff", and IMO, sharpeners who want consistency and ultimate sharpness will do well to adopt Vadim's techniques.

Faint praise is no praise at all ... so I'd be extremely wary of "older" sharpening techniques being promoted as the equal of modern highly technical sharpening techniques, especially when those "modern" techniques are repeatedly backed up by hard data.

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.

Something that's best addressed by emailing Wootz and asking that same question of the guy who actually has the correct answer.

The online class was excellent. Lots of good information even for experienced users of the Tormek.
For lots of folks, the angle setter can be confusing as to when you should use the full or partial angle ... and here it was explained quickly and precisely as to when you use each one.

Even small things, like the trick of spinning the micro-adjuster quickly by touching it to the leather wheel were new to me, and will most definitely be used by me in the future!

This does not introduce a new need for a second machine. It does make the grinding operations more efficient.

Ken, I made this note based on what Vadim said at the end of his video, which was that he always finished on a paper wheel machine when he used this dual-stone method.
I suspect he does this because the second fine stone still doesn't do a proper job of honing as would the leather wheel or the paper wheel.

Ahhh, yes ... I know exactly what you're talking about.
Even though it's a small window that contains the entire app, you do have to be clear that the radio buttons to select the model number have nothing to do with the text for the variables immediately to the right of those radio buttons.
There should probably be a vertical line separating the machine model selection buttons from the text describing the assorted fields that you enter the variables into ... it can be a bit confusing for a new user.

I don't know, but I suspect they're just not set up to ship anything to North America ... so questions from potential buyers in North America about the cost of shipping and method of payment are simply ignored.
At least that scenario, even though unprofessional, is understandable.

It's too late now anyway, for those times I'm away from AC power, I purchased the amazing TSProf Blitz instead, and have already received a few emails from Marina detailing the status of my order.

It certainly opens up possibilities for the T-8 to become quite a bit more of a production machine for commercial sharpening scenarios.

But you still need that second machine with the paper wheel on it to hit the target sharpness that Vadim aims for.

Continued radio silence despite multiple emails and attempted contact via the website.

Certainly doesn't inspire a lot of confidence for a few hundred $$ purchase.