Having the need for a universal long T-bar (US400) today I wrote to Tormek:
"Good morning,
as a Tormek user I follow the various forums and also the FB pages.
Many users including myself who use your product (T4-T7-T8) for sharpening long knives need a longer universal T-shaped support (US-400). Don't you think it is your duty to put a small supply of this type of support back into production? It costs nothing to you in terms of design and construction, having marketed it in the past.
I believe you would be happy with many users, giving excellent customer service.
Confident in your positive attitude, I send my best regards."
This was the prompt reply:
"Hello Venanzio,
We will consider to make a limited edition according to your suggestions. Where do you normally purchase your Tormek products?
Best Regards Hakan"
We remain in hopeful expectation
Well done, Van!
Incidentally, Hakan Persson is the CEO of Tormek. Your request has reached the right person.
Do keep us posted.
Ken
ps I have two US-400s, and like them. My only suggestion for them would be to add a couple inches of height. (for sharpening vegetable cleavers)
Also this made.
Request to modify (lengthen) the feet.
We hope well. ;)
I will get one if they do another production run. I would also like the additional length and height if they do a run.
Last time they were available I procrastinated.
John,
The existing version has longer length (400 mm), but no extra height. Extra height would be useful. When this came up on the forum years ago, Jeff Farris expressed concern that the extra height might cause the Tormek to tip over. This is not a problem. (I have used a third party support bar which is taller. It works very well.) The US-400 is a useful accessory as is; added height would make it more useful.
Ken
Quote from: Ken S on May 10, 2019, 04:07:41 PM
John,
The existing version has longer length (400 mm), but no extra height. Extra height would be useful. When this came up on the forum years ago, Jeff Farris expressed concern that the extra height might cause the Tormek to tip over. This is not a problem. (I have used a third party support bar which is taller. It works very well.) The US-400 is a useful accessory as is; added height would make it more useful.
Ken
Absolutelly agree. Extra length is very important in order to use with Knifes longer than 30cm, but extra height would allow us to sharpen cleavers and other big knifes.
I think too that Tormek T7/T8 are heavy enough.
It would be good news that Tormek to put a new universal support on sale.
Regards
In addition to the benefits of extra length, the US-400 serves very well as a useful second support bar at very little cost over the standard support bar. Hopefully Tormek will reissue them, ideally with more height. If they are reissued, those who are interested should not procrastinate.
Ken
That's great news! Does anyone know when they would be released and how to get one? I'm assuming with a limited run that they would not be available at all dealers.
My request, at Tormek, was at an international level, I was assured that they will take my needs into account and keep me informed. I believe it would be appropriate to highlight this possible production at the individual local distributors. If I have further news, I will advise the forum.
with regard
GREAT NEWS!!!
I received the following reply from Håkan Persson (Tormek CEO) this morning:
Thanks Ken,
We will make a batch with 50mm longer legs. It will takes a couple of months before it reaches USA.
Take care /Hakan
This is sensational. Not only is Tormek acting on our request for another batch of the US-400; they are modifying them as we requested. We will finally be able to sharpen cleavers using a Tormek universal support bar and the knife jig. Updates will be posted.
Thank you, Håkan!
Ken
Ken, do you have any idea on what suppliers in the US may be getting these? Rough cost estimate?
Well Ken,
see every so often something "moves" ..... let's wait
That is good news, Ken. As it has been stated, I imagine the US-400's will sell out fairly quickly unless a pretty good sized batch are made.
John,
I have no idea which US dealers will carry the new US-400. I sent Håkan an email inquiring if the US-400 designation will remain the same or be changed. I will post his answer when I receive it. Steve Bottorff (sharpeningmadeeasy.com) was the dealer who handled the first batch of twenty.I purchased my second unit through Advanced Machinery. (advmachinery.com). I am quite comfortable dealing with either of these very reputable dealers, based on long experience. Incidentally, Advanced is an excellent source for parts. Most of my Tormek project spare parts have been purchased through Advanced.
Van,
The US-400 seems to move in spurts. The first batch of twenty through Steve was delayed for quite a while. I heard several different explanations. The most probable was that fifty units were misplaced in a warehouse in Sweden. It has proven to be a good tool, and worth the wait. This new revised batch should be even better.
Elden,
I agree. I believe, depending on the size of the batch, that these should sell quickly. This process could be speeded up if Tormek features them in a new video. A more in depth knife video from Tormek is long overdue.
I want to credit Vadim ("Wootz" from Knife Grinders in Australia) for introducing the US-400 to the forum. Vadim found one for sale in Italy and had it shipped to Australia. I call that intrepid!
I would like to add a personal note explaining why sharpening my Chinese vegetable cleaver is so important to me. It was a wedding present from my best man who was also my best friend for thirty years. We enjoyed photography and camping trips together for thirty years before he passed away. It is important to me to keep his cleaver sharpened the most precise way, with the Tormek knife jig.
Ken
I suppose that New US-400 will be comercialited in Europe too...
Any case, I will be waiting for the news about it in the forum.
Thank you for the good new :)
So it will be impossibel to get in Norway? Maybe I have to take the 4 hour drive to Tormek factory.
Since Norway borders Sweden, I would think you would be able to purchase one before I can in the US, an ocean away.
I suggest that you email support (support@tormek.se) and alert them to your interest.
Ken
I received this email from Håkan Persson, Tormek CEO, this morning:
Hi Ken,
We have decided that the upgraded US-400 will be named US-430. It will be available in August or September through all Tormek dealers.
Thanks for your support. Feel free to communicate if you like.
Best Regards Hakan
Håkan Persson
VD
CEO
Torm
Quote from: Ken S on May 23, 2019, 03:24:44 PM
I received this email from Håkan Persson, Tormek CEO, this morning:
Hi Ken,
We have decided that the upgraded US-400 will be named US-430. It will be available in August or September through all Tormek dealers.
Thanks for your support. Feel free to communicate if you like.
Best Regards Hakan
Håkan Persson
VD
CEO
Torm
Hi Ken,
great news, we finally managed to make something happen.
Hope is the last to die. ;)
Quote from: van on May 23, 2019, 04:31:39 PM
Hi Ken,
great news, we finally managed to make something happen.
Hope is the last to die. ;)
Good news.
Really good idea to contact with Tormek.
"Speaking the people understand"
"Van" appears to be the man of the hour. I am pretty sure that others have asked for this fixture but his was the final straw in having it come to fruition, or so it seems. Don't know if I will buy one as my cleaving need is pretty nonexistent but I do have a couple of long knives.
Thanks Van and Ken for getting tormek to start production of the new US-430. Is there a way to "pre-order" one? I would hate to miss the boat on it if it's a limited time production!
Antz
Antz,
The correct designation for the redesigned US-400 is the US-430. (US meaning Universal Support).
I don't know about pre ordering.
It should be available through any Tormek dealer, including your local dealer in Honolulu.
From personal correspondence, I know that Advanced Machinery in Delaware (advmachinery.com) will be very involved with selling it. Depending on comparative shipping costs and the importance of early delivery, I would recommend either your local dealer or contacting Wolfgang Derke at Advanced.
If you opt for Advanced Machinery, they are the primary North American Tormek parts source. If you are planning to order any Tormek parts, I would suggest putting everything in one order to save on shipping.
Ken
This thread has any months... but, any news about New US-430?
Regards :)
CB just posted this link on facebook. Preorders for the new US-430 are now available.
Ken
https://advanced-machinery.myshopify.com/products/tormek-us-400-universal-support-for-t-8-t-7-and-s2000
I wonder if these are going to go out to all the major distributors, in all the countries Tormek distributes in?
To date, I've only been able to see reference to it on the Advanced web site.
At this point, according to the Advanced ad, it's a preorder. I suggest you contact your local dealer. The Tormek accessory designation is US-430.
Ken
I ordered mine with Wolfgang, don't want to miss out if Tormek decides once and done.
I have ask the same day that US-430 goes on sales ;D ;D ;D
I just send a mail to Tormek and there is the answer:
"Hi Josu,
Thank you for your question.
We just released it today so it's not out in the stores yet. But if you contact our Spanish reseller Commercial Pazos he could order it for you.
https://www.comercialpazos.com/
Here is some short info about it.
"Universal Support Extended
Extended Universal Support for sharpening long tools, such as long knives,
cleavers and machetes. Micro adjust with scale for precise setting of edge angle
and cutting depth.
Fits Tormek T-8/T-7/T-4/T-3 and older Tormek models. Length:
436 mm. Height: 212 mm" "
Quote from: Ken S on September 18, 2019, 10:22:16 PM
At this point, according to the Advanced ad, it's a preorder. I suggest you contact your local dealer. The Tormek accessory designation is US-430.
Ken
Exactly
Advanced Machinery site says they will ship in November
For Germany and some other Countrys nearby i found the Us-430 is aviable at this online shop with a delivery time of 5 days.
https://www.feines-werkzeug.de/werkzeuge/schaerfen-schleifen/tormek/tormek-zubehoer/4496/tormek-us-430-verlaengerte-universalstuetze (https://www.feines-werkzeug.de/werkzeuge/schaerfen-schleifen/tormek/tormek-zubehoer/4496/tormek-us-430-verlaengerte-universalstuetze)
Thanks for that Kinscor, I have just ordered one.
The official designation for the new support bar is the US-430. (Universal Support). It is based on the US-400, originally designed as the support bar for a now discontinued specialty knife sharpening model. The difference between the present US-430 and the discontinued US-400 is that ad additional 50mm of length was added to the two vertical legs. This extra vertical length allows jig sharpening of wider knives such as cleavers. It makes a useful accessory (for knife sharpening) even more useful.
Ken
and it really exists. :) I got that US-430 three days ago. It really helps with those last few centimeters on longer knives and tools.
Today has appear in the Authorized Distributor in Spain... At last!!!
¡Todo está bién!
Ken
My US-430 arrived today, yea.
Enjoy! The US-430 is a specialty tool, which does its designed tasks very well.
Ken