Messages

David,

You ask an excellent question. Over the years, I have acquired a formidable book library of sharpening and woodworking books. In the past few years, my studying has become almost exclusively online videos. For years, I complained to Tormek about the lack of good instructional videos which went beyond short, marketing videos. The answer was always the same, "We would like to; however, our staff just doesn't have the time".

Covid changed that. Travel bans made the old demo at trade fairs strategy non working (one of the very few benefits of Covid). We finally have a series of well done online videos which go beyond easy marketing.

My advice is to limit your precious study time to really studying the Tormek online youtubes. Do this until you acquire a very solid foundation in the Tormek technique. Please note that I am not saying that the Tormek method is the only good method or that it is the only method. By mastering it, you build a solid comparison base to evaluate other ideas. It can help you avoid two pitfalls:

The first pitfall is inexperience with the Tormek. This includes things like using whatever honing compound one happens to already have. I don't know if Tormek PA-70 compound is really better than other brands or not. I do know that Tormek has standardized on it for many years.

Related is non wetgrinding thinking. Like you, I have decades of bench stone sharpening experience. It is valuable related experience. It is not the same as Tormek sharpening.

The second pitfall is, for lack of a better term, "marketing propaganda". While often not incorrect, this often ignores the entire picture. Is water "messy", or is grinding dust unhealthy? Is the useof an anticorrosion solution "expensive" or do thebenefits outweigh the cost? And, what isthe real cost?

I expect any vendor toadvocate his own product.Ihave noproblem with that; however, all vendor information, including that of Tormek, should beable to withstand reasonable criticism.

In conclusion, Irecommend study of the handbook andTormek's online classes.

Ken

PS I apologize for the typos. I recently had cataract surgery on both eyes and am awaiting new lenses for closevision.

David,

In learning how to use"the beast", you have two definite advantages. First, you have experience as a working chef. While it is nice BESS testing knowledge and a digital microscope, you have in the trenches experiences using kitchen knives. This will stand by you in both sharpening and talking with customers. Second, your years of sharpening with stones is good related experience. It is not the same as wet sharpening with a Tormek; however, it will assist your learning process. with diligence and patience you will succeed.

Please keep us posted.

Ken

Rich has several useful and reasonably priced 3D designed tools on his website. They are availably either ready made or just the plans for those who have a 3D printer or access to one.

For many years, I have recommended getting to know a local machinist. I would like to amend that recommend that recommendation to also include either acquiring a 3D printer or getting to know someone with access to one.

Going back a number of years, the problem for third party vendors has been the cost of international shipping. Living in the US, I have paid for shipping to or from Australia and Europe several times. Often the cost of shipping was more than the value of the article. Tariffs further complicate this.  I have several tools from Rich's Colvin Tools. They are well designed and manufactured. Rich provides a useful function of providing useful accessories for the US market at affordable prices and very reasonable shipping costs.

Ken

Welcome to the forum, David. I do not think you made a bad decision with the composite honing wheel.

The original purpose of the composite honing wheel (in combination with the 600 grit diamond wheel) was to provide the T2 with wheels which would require neither water nor honing paste. This was judged more efficient in a commercial kitchen environment.

The composite wheel can be made to work more efficiently by modifying the grinding technique slightly. Make the last few passes with very light pressure. This removes most of the burr before using the honing wheel. Johan demonstrates this in the online class about the T2.

Ken

Welcome to the forum, Nis.

I have been thinking about your post, especially your "deep dive" comment. I think many of us share that passion. In my opinion, the member deep dive which most influenced me has been Dutchman's grinding angle tables(now pinned at the top of the knife sharpening section). Dutchman's deep dive, which began years ago with his calculator, revolutionized bevel angle setting. It is the foundation for all of the computer angle setting programs. Dutchman did not invent trigonometry; he did adapt it to sharpening with a Tormek.

All of this reply is my opinion, and there are many other forum deep dives.

My custom is to start most days with quiet study time on my ipad. This video made me think of you:


https://youtu.be/5MgBikgcWnY?si=pQ8b_SBtbxbXo1t5

while much of my study is Tormek related, I do not limit it to exclusively Tormek.

In my opinion, one of the difficulties of deep diving is developing a sense of which sources to ignore and/or question critically. Some information, taken in context, may actually be correct, but is not applicable to using a Tormek. Some information may be biased to push a vendor's products. (Incidentally, I hold Tormek to this same standard of criticism.)

I try to ask two questions of ideas and products: Is it possible and is it practical? Related to these questions is what are the author's credentials?

I believe in and encourage deep dives, especially those which include having a solid foundation of fundamentals.

Keep on diving!

Ken

Welcome to the forum, Kenji.

My best guess is that Franz has correctly diagnosed your problem. I suggest that you email Tormek support. (support@tormek.se)

Ken

I found this video informative.
Ken

https://youtu.be/G3B3K3QTRHc?si=qwCtImYyYD9PRTVl

I have purchased several items from Hanns, and have always received excellent service. I suggest we hold off any judgements until we know the full story.

Ken Schroeder

Wise thinking, John. My turning tools were a mixture of 1930s Carbon Craftsman and recent hhs. With some reluctance, I recently gave them to a friend. My planes and many of my chisels are century old Stanleys. Many of them were my grandfathers tools. The SG is a good fit for them and my kitchen knives. Like you, I have some diamond and a CBN wheel which I can use on the rare occasions where I need to "bring in the artillery".

Ken

Unfortunately, I believe the SuperGrind (SG) grinding wheel is underappreciated and misunderstood. For many years this stalwart grinding wheel was the flagship Tormek grinding wheel. In many ways it still is. It is certainly the most versatile.

We have been bombarded with the importance of constant diameter over grit versatility. For decades, we accepted things like truing and dressing as just part of sharpening. Now they seem like major inconveniences.

Unlike the SG, SJ, and SB, our superabrasive grinding wheels can not be reshaped with radiused corners. They can also be repaired.

I do not disparage our more recent grinding wheels. They expand the scope of the Tormek. I just believe the SG still has a place for Tormek users.

Ken

Sadly, we live in a disposable culture. The problem is not unique to Singapore. It is all too prevalent in the US. Many will never know the pleasure of using a really sharp knife or tool.

Ken

Bert,

Idid not mean to disparage your sharpening experience. All toooften I needto guess, and I am often wrong. My apologies.

Ken

Iagree; however, I don't want to limit the conversation at first. We can always place limits later if needed, I hope responders will mention theirtypical volume of knives to sharpen.

Ken

Welcome to the forum, B.A.

Let me start by stating that I have no expertise with the SVH-240. I purchased one several years ago, only to learn that the blades on my Delta "lunch box" thicpkness planer were not designed to be resharpened.

Moving on, how practiced are you with sharpening your other woodworking tools? You can learn a lot about using your new Tormek by sharpening your chisels and bench plane irons. (Start with 19mm chisels; they are the easiest to sharpen.)

You might want to purchase a spare set of planer blades and gradually work up to sharpening your planer blades.

Keep us posted.

Ken

PS Purchase a TT-200 Truing Tool. If you find your sharpening times are excessive, the DF-200 is a good choice.

I ask this in the spirit of curiosity, without an agenda or intent tocriticise. I have read numerous posts over the years about frustrations with very dull or damaged blades.

My question for those of us with higher sharpening volumes than me is, How many of the knives you sharpen are "very dull or damaged"?

Please don't be shy and do reply.

Ken