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C'mon SteveBott, I would love to see how you hone at 3 oclock!

Well said Jan. Thanks for the support.

Steve has clearly a life time of experience that could benefit us all greatly. I first learned to sharpen edge tools as a young boy in my Grandfather's woodshed. He was a Master Mariner twice a ships captain and the Chief harbour pilot for Dublin harbour for many years. He could fix, repair or build anything. He had one simple test for sharpness, can it pop the hairs off your arm and for ultimate sharp does it cut through silk.

Grinder, you are inspiring me to gather up my courage and try using my Melitta coffee filter as a way to dump my Tormek water safely. i have wanted to try that for several years. i will commit to doing that after my next sharpening session.

in case one of the side effects is moderator fatality, I will leave our moderator man in Greenland, Rob, in charge.

Wish me luck.

Ken

Grinder, you are inspiring me to gather up my courage and try using my Melitta coffee filter as a way to dump my Tormek water safely. i have wanted to try that for several years. i will commit to doing that after my next sharpening session.

in case one of the side effects is moderator fatality, I will leave our moderator man in Greenland, Rob, in charge.

Wish me luck.

Ken

Hi Ken my used water goes on my grapevine my wife thinks it will help them grow and in the UK we need all the help they can get as the sunshine is not the strongest.

I have watched all seven of Steve's YouTube Videos and learned a great deal. Thank you Steve.

May we please have some more as they are like cool water to a thirsty soul.

I would love to see one on honing using the T7 please.

Having just bought the T7 my funds are too shy of buying the Sharpening services video right now but this will hopefully be in my Christmas stocking.

Many thanks
KR
Steve the Grinder.

Hi Everyone. Here is an update on how the dishwasher restored honing wheel performs.

Well this morning we had a work party on one of the lakes in my Angling Club. I took my axe and let the lads go at it on tree roots which were in the path. Of course by the time they had finished not only was the edge runined there were massive nicks in it as well. Just the test I wanted. Compared to a knife an axe is a real pig to bevel perfectly. Nevertheless, using the axe jig the bevels came up so good. Already sharp enough after the fine grade to cut paper. So next step the honing wheel now completely dry and back on the Tormek. To distribute the honing compound evenly I applied it to a rag and span the wheel and worked it in to prevent streaking and that was a good idea with nice and even distribution. So step one, hone the burr. Step two, polish finish both bevels starting with a heavy press on the wheel and finishing with a very gentle press. The result? Doesn't just cut paper, it slices right through it. The edge feels sharp as a razor blade.

Job done. If your honing wheel isn't doing the job well any more I can totally recommend the dishwasher restoration procedure. I am very, very pleased.

Ok here is the update. My oh my what a wonderful result!!!

Virtually all the oil and crud have gone completely. The surface is now a natural dark and to the touch feels like sandpaper. I cannot wait to try it out, but I'm going to give it 24 hours to completely dry. Looking at photos of a new wheel I expect the surface feels slightly like softish suede. In which case the dishwasher result is even better, as it feels rough, very dry and almost like grit or rough sandpaper. I expect this sucker is going to hone like a demon!

In conclusion, the honing wheel can be safely restored in a dishwasher. I used a 55C heat cycle.

Once again thank you all for your advice. I scraped as much crud off as possible, wiped it with a scourer as it rotated and it was still very slick and oily. So now it's in the dishwasher! Yes I have a very understanding wife. LOL.

I'll keep you all updated how it survives.
Cheers.

Thanks guys. I do spend a great deal of time grinding a good bevel. First with rough grade then using the fine side of the grading stone I smooth the stone and repeat the process. At this stage it will cut paper but I want more! Lol.

I think you all have it right with the honing wheel. It is very dark and oily looking and it's as slippy and shinny as gear cogs. So I'll put it in the dishwasher and try and clean it up. It's either that or a new one. When new is it a rough suede or a hard leather please?
Thanks

Hi New'b ohere. I bought a used T7 and I'm really enjoying it. One of my reasons for buying the T7 was the attraction of the leather honing wheel as I have long been a disciple of stropping an edge.

However I'm disappointed so far in the honing wheel as it just doesn't seem to strop either quickly or fast enough. Using stones an old shoe leather strop I can achieve a mirror finish scalpel edge. But not with the Tormek. I use plenty of the compound but still struggle to get a stropped razor blade sharp edge.

Any help or advice would be most welcome.
Thank you.