We surpassed all previous listed records for new posts, and it's only March. I think it happened early today or yesterday.
How cool, all this enthusiasm and innovation going on here!
Yearly Summary New Topics New Posts
+ 2013 78 1284
+ 2012 140 815
+ 2011 204 1148
+ 2010 195 729
+ 2009 204 572
+ 2008 173 321
Yup. This last month has been a record breaker for activity on this forum.
Herman can remember, as can I, the way the forum used to be. When I started in 2009 (after Herman), no one had reached fifty posts. I forget who was first to fifty. It was either Ionut or Herman. I was second, as I recall. The two posts with the most threads had about twenty replies.
Things have really picked up recently, for the good. Good work, guys.
Ken
Yesterday there were 36 people online. Getting closer to the record of 43.
Quote from: Ken S on March 13, 2013, 01:59:50 AM
Herman can remember, as can I, the way the forum used to be. When I started in 2009 (after Herman), no one had reached fifty posts.
Ken, you are the first member, except of course for Jeff, to reach 500 posts. Somewhere along the way you passed me up and left me in the dust. :)
Your posts are very thoughtful and this forum just wouldn't be the same without you.
I second that. A proper gent is our Ken :-)
Thanks for the kind words, guys. You two are catching up quite quickly!
For the record, I would rather the forum have twenty more 25 posters than one 500 poster. I hope the increased activity will also bring us a deeper bench (more contributing blokes for those of you who speak English).
Ken
I've got to say, the general activity level on the forum has taken a quantum leap forward in the last several months. I've seen times when it might go days between postings.
Since my use of the Tormek is limited to working with knives ( and, even then, on a very limited basis ) I don't have much opportunity to add meaningful comments. Yet I find that time spent on the forum, listening to all sorts of issues, problems, and solutions, greatly expands my overall knowledge of sharpening. I'll hear something that may benefit me in a totally unexpected manner. The net result is that I'm far more educated as a consequence of my, mostly silent, presence on the forum. My sincere appreciation goes to all you guys for your generous giving of time and info.
BTW...one thing I'm keenly interested in, and follow closely, is the development of a knife jig ( such as being worked on by Herman and others ). I'm about ready to get an aluminum plate and start fiddling with one along the lines of Herman's.
You folks keep up the good work....please. It helps more of us less accomplished souls than you probably realize.
Tom
Tom,
Not to redirect the thread, but I'm curious; have you ever taken a knife to your Rapid Edge flat disks?
Mark
And another one bites the dust:
Forum Stats
Users Online
9 Guests, 0 Users
Most Online Today: 44. Most Online Ever: 44 (Today at 06:19:14 am)
Quote from: Black Mamba on March 13, 2013, 01:11:02 PM
BTW...one thing I'm keenly interested in, and follow closely, is the development of a knife jig ( such as being worked on by Herman and others ). I'm about ready to get an aluminum plate and start fiddling with one along the lines of Herman's.
You won't regret it. It's a far easier and effective way to sharpen a knife than the knife jig. The only reason not to make one is if you don't own the scissors jig.
Quote from: grepper on March 13, 2013, 02:21:29 PM
Tom,
Not to redirect the thread, but I'm curious; have you ever taken a knife to your Rapid Edge flat disks?
Mark
Hi Mark,
The quick answer is that the Rapid Edge machine does not well accommodate working with knives. The principal reason being that the articulated arm, that is instrumental in gripping and aligning the scissor blades on a consistent basis, is not suited to working with knives. Even if it were, there are working-space design features that would limit the use to very small knife blades. Just for kicks, I have taken a few small pocket knives and worked with them on a free-hand basis. As with any free-hand approach, getting the same grind angle on each side of the blade can be problematical. Frankly, I find free-handing to be much easier on the Tormek and, in addition, the Tormek can accommodate a much, much larger range of blade sizes.
I consider myself to be average, at best, in my free-handing capabilities. That's why I'm so keenly interested in the work you guys are doing in developing an apparatus that's reall helpful in working with small blades.
Take care,
Tom
Yearly Summary New Topics New Posts New Members Most Online
2013 80 1320 85 44
2012 140 815 984 37
2011 204 1148 10605 43
2010 195 729 1645 38
2009 204 572 691 29
2008 173 321 441 34
I've been curious about this number for some time. Is the 10,605 new members in 2011 a typo? I believe that is greater than the current total members. Would it possibly have been 1065?
Quote from: kb0rvo on March 13, 2013, 04:12:10 PM
I've been curious about this number for some time. Is the 10,605 new members in 2011 a typo? I believe that is greater than the current total members. Would it possibly have been 1065?
Not a typo, a spam-bot invasion.
Tom,
Ever thought of making a mod for the articulated arm? :) With that fine selection of abrasives and buffers It seems like you should be able to thin a small knife edge down to the angstrom level, and polish it to a mirror finish!
Tom,
One of the values of a forum like this is having varied backgrounds. As someone who only sharpens my kitchen knives, I'm very glad to have an old knife sharpening hand like you on board.
I hope all the new statistics will also reflect continuing depth and good information as well as quantity.
Ken
Quote from: grepper on March 13, 2013, 05:22:01 PM
Tom,
Ever thought of making a mod for the articulated arm? :) With that fine selection of abrasives and buffers It seems like you should be able to thin a small knife edge down to the angstrom level, and polish it to a mirror finish!
Mark.
I wouldn't begin to know how to mod the arm. Nor do I have the fabricating skills ( or equipment ), even if I wanted to give it a shot. I can assure you, though, that when working with the salon scissors, I get edges of frightening sharpness and a polished finish you have to see to believe. :)
Tom
Mark, you just won't give up on that idea of an edge one atom wide. ;D