What software do people use for angle setting on a T-8?
I stopped using a T-8 about 5 years ago. At the time I had KnifeGrinders software.
It no longer loads on my i-phone and the app is no longer available in App Store.
Any thoughts?
I primarily sharpen kitchen knives
Thanks
Quote from: Jeff_Coates on December 20, 2024, 10:51:31 PMWhat software do people use for angle setting on a T-8?
I stopped using a T-8 about 5 years ago. At the time I had KnifeGrinders software.
It no longer loads on my i-phone and the app is no longer available in App Store.
Any thoughts?
I primarily sharpen kitchen knives
Thanks
Try this one...
https://connect.calcapp.net/?app=dsa8z4
... it's similar to the KG apps you're used to.
(Or check the links in my signature.)
Jeff,
The Calcapp program that CB mentioned is accurate, quick to learn and use, and uncomplicated. That stated, the new Tormek KS-123 knife setting tool has large made setting programs not as essential as before. I think a combination of the KS-123 and Calcapp as a ready reserve should cover the waterfront.
Ken
Both ways will work.
If you are batch sharpening, for customers say, then the calcapp is great for setting your usb to a set angle for a set blade projection. Then you need a batch of old style , adjustable svm jigs to enable you set the correct projection for each knife. Just one set up for as many knives/svm jigs you have.
The new angle setting jig and kj jig really comes into its own for say just one knife here and there or a batch of differing knives, grinding angles, blade thicknesses etc.
For example, I just sharpened a dozen kitchen knives all at 15 degrees/side using the first set up. Saved a load of time!
The same customer gave 2 non typical knives to sharpen with extra thick blade stock , wide blades and requiring 20 degrees/ side. The angle setter and self centring kj45 made set up quick and easy.
Quote from: Sir Amwell on December 21, 2024, 11:57:37 AMBoth ways will work.
If you are batch sharpening, for customers say, then the calcapp is great for setting your usb to a set angle for a set blade projection. Then you need a batch of old style , adjustable svm jigs to enable you set the correct projection for each knife. Just one set up for as many knives/svm jigs you have.
The new angle setting jig and kj jig really comes into its own for say just one knife here and there or a batch of differing knives, grinding angles, blade thicknesses etc.
For example, I just sharpened a dozen kitchen knives all at 15 degrees/side using the first set up. Saved a load of time!
The same customer gave 2 non typical knives to sharpen with extra thick blade stock , wide blades and requiring 20 degrees/ side. The angle setter and self centering kj45 made set up quick and easy.
Congratulations. You just summed up the whole discussion in a very short, clear, concise manner. Thank you. Oh, and by the way, I couldn't agree more...
Rick
Quote from: Sir Amwell on December 21, 2024, 11:57:37 AMBoth ways will work.
If you are batch sharpening, for customers say, then the calcapp is great for setting your usb to a set angle for a set blade projection. Then you need a batch of old style , adjustable svm jigs to enable you set the correct projection for each knife. Just one set up for as many knives/svm jigs you have.
The new angle setting jig and kj jig really comes into its own for say just one knife here and there or a batch of differing knives, grinding angles, blade thicknesses etc.
For example, I just sharpened a dozen kitchen knives all at 15 degrees/side using the first set up. Saved a load of time!
The same customer gave 2 non typical knives to sharpen with extra thick blade stock , wide blades and requiring 20 degrees/ side. The angle setter and self centring kj45 made set up quick and easy.
Please add this to the manual Tormek and make the adjustable stop available again ;)
I own the KS-123, and end up more often than not using a software-based solution, even when sharpening a single or few knives at a time.
There is some friction in the KS-123 that, coupled with the flexibility of the plastic needle indicating the sharpening angle, makes for a 1 dps-ish precision. And despite the fact that Tormek wrote in their KS-123 patent that "There may be errors in computation-based solutions", I find the calculator-based process to be much more repeatable, resulting in a burr being raised in just a couple of strokes on the ungraded SG. This also minimizes the amount of metal removed, increasing the lifetime of knives (or at least the time before requiring thinning).
Also, once you get the hang of it - and , granted, with a bit of hardware for quick projection distance measuring/setting - I'm not sure the KS-123 setup is a lot faster.
All in all, I think the KS-123 has the advantage of being a reasonably accurate, self-contained solution, but calculators and calipers (and an adjustable projection distance) make for a more efficient process overall.
I too am interested if somebody finds a good replacement for the knife grinders app
I have been getting by since Vadim died by keeping an old iPhone with the apps on it, dedicated for just their use and disconnecting it from the Internet so that the iPhone will not update rendering the apps obsolete for the newest software
I think I have a version of the software for my PC but I haven't used it in ages and have a new computer and I am constantly worried that something will happen to my dedicated "knife grinders" iPhone and I will be crap out of luck
Hi secondofangle. I too struggled for a while to get rid of the Knifegrinders software crutch.
However, once you make the leap to using calcapp or such, or the new Tormek angle tool, you will realise just how simple and efficient they are to use and you then needn't worry about losing your crutch. Believe me, I went through the same process!
Quote from: Sir Amwell on May 31, 2025, 10:41:34 AMsnip ...
once you make the leap to ... the new Tormek angle tool, you will realise just how simple and efficient they are to use ...
Correct! The software period for setting the grinding angle was an era that could be concluded with the KS-123, which improved the setting of the grinding angle in a faster way.
Quote from: Dutchman on May 31, 2025, 12:01:30 PMQuote from: Sir Amwell on May 31, 2025, 10:41:34 AMsnip ...
once you make the leap to ... the new Tormek angle tool, you will realise just how simple and efficient they are to use ...
Correct! The software period for setting the grinding angle was an era that could be concluded with the KS-123, which improved the setting of the grinding angle in a faster way.
@Dutchman, if I may, that is a cheeky way of quoting @Sir_Amwell, who included "calcapp or such" in the list of faster tools for setting the angle...
:D As the designer of the math behind the software, I can afford that imho ;)
Quote from: secondofangle on May 31, 2025, 05:12:09 AMI too am interested if somebody finds a good replacement for the knife grinders app
I have been getting by since Vadim died by keeping an old iPhone with the apps on it, dedicated for just their use and disconnecting it from the Internet so that the iPhone will not update rendering the apps obsolete for the newest software
I think I have a version of the software for my PC but I haven't used it in ages and have a new computer and I am constantly worried that something will happen to my dedicated "knife grinders" iPhone and I will be crap out of luck
I use the Calcapp app for all my sharpening needs - Knives, chisels, plane blades etc. I find it very quick and repeatable. I only have one KJ-45 jig and have no problem getting a consistent 15° for all my knives. Just a simple measure of the projection for the knife with calipers, put that measurement in the app and bingo, simply adjust the height of the USB. Rinse and repeat... :)
Also, it is very repeatable. I can do the same knives one month later and find the bevel angle is very, very close to the previous sharpening. I usually use the marker anyway just so I see how close it is to previous session sharpening and it is pretty much spot on.
Quote from: Dan on June 03, 2025, 12:25:06 PM[...]
Also, it is very repeatable. I can do the same knives one month later and find the bevel angle is very, very close to the previous sharpening. I usually use the marker anyway just so I see how close it is to previous session sharpening and it is pretty much spot on.
Exactly that. I don't have statistical-grade data on this, but my gut feeling is that if any time is lost (in measuring/setting projection distance or adjusting USB height) compared to adjusting the KS-123 while controlling backlash is more that made up for in strokes saved to get a burr.
I don't understand that text.
What do you find the most convenient?
Setting the sharpening angle using software or with the KS-123?
Sorry for the convoluted sentence... I meant that all things considered, I prefer working with the calculator : Even if there is an additional workload at the beginning (entering projection distance in the calculator, and setting the TUSB distance on the calipers), the angle is so close to one previously ground that I get a burr in only a couple of strokes.
I found the KS-123 more fiddly(?) - it has more play/hysteresis than vernier calipers, so it takes longer to set up the USB height - and less precise (so a few more strokes to get a consistent burr).
Thank you for the clear answer
I prefer the method with KS-123, but I'm happy that apparently the math-approach is still atractive :)
I agree with Dutchman. I prefer the KS-123; however, I still have both my ipad file and several copies of Dutchman's tables. (I also still have several kenjigs, which I still believe are the fastest and most accurate method of setting knives, although I concede it is not the most versatile.)
Ken
Ken, if a kenjig is the fastest and most accurate way of setting knives, then add however many seconds are necessary to set a distance on vernier calipers, and you'll get a close second. Especially if you want to add a controlled honing, where it's just a matter of resetting the calipers.
Versatility included !