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I'm dealing with a wife with cancer and chronic disease. She just got out of the hospital.  I say this with sincere affection: You all are such geeks! I love you for it!  I am one too!  I have three daughters and I think it's bizarre I'm into knife sharpening all of a sudden.   

This is an incredible escape for me. Don't change. 

I just bought the T4 and I have messed up some and I cut my finger once. However, I love the passion here and I love the escape.  Carry on!

Thanks..... Chris

So, to be clear from what I just read, the razor sharp one will last longer?

Thank you for the reply and now it makes sense.  This is helpful and makes me feel better.  Razor Blade sharp isnt ideal for a working kitchen knife anyways because it'll get dull faster - as you all well know. 

Again, thanks.

Interesting, and thank you, but Good Lord... as I'm reading about tools to help sharpen knives with advanced math just to get the angle, it looks daunting.  I'm amazed that the machine, as shipped, does not allow you to set the correct angle.  However, the Tormek videos on YouTube (which I've watched all of them) makes it look easy to set your angle on your knife.  Is there a disconnect or does Tormek conveniently ignore this major flaw?

I am waiting on the T4 and it's amazing that Tormek would not provide a angle tool that is reliable for kitchen knives. Yet, there are third-party "inventors" who provide these things such as the angle tool in the YouTube video I posted above.

Should I just go ahead and order that so I can use my machine when I get it?  I think, because I don't have the machine yet, the rubber band trick is very confusing to me. I'm sure it is more accurate but right now I just want to be able to use my machine and make sure my bar is correct.

Ken is the only one I know that says the 30min. doesn't apply to the T-4.  I've never seen Tormek support this.  That being said, I haven't seen any issues with the T-4 overheating, and for the home user, I doubt it's an issue.

While there is nothing wrong with "learning the basics"... it's quite frankly, ridiculous advice to tell someone to "wait a year" to use anything else.  Many of the "aftermarket" items (FVB, calculators, etc.) are not replacements for something the Tormek can do, they were created because the stock "basic" setup CAN'T do them, or don't do them well (at all).  But hey, if, for example, you want to learn a year later that the angle you've sharpened on some knives can be several degrees off because you were "using the basics"... by all means, follow his advice.

I'm not sure why Ken decided to "muddy the waters" by suddenly saying "your safest bet would be a T-8"... since he's also said in other posts that he's "never seen anyone buy a T-4, then later decide to "upgrade" to a T-8".  No idea why it's now the "safe" idea...  so maybe he can expand on that.

For a home sharpener, the T-4 is fine.  I haven't seen anything in your posts here or on FB that tells me any different.  That's my .02.

Agree.. that was the first time someone thought a T8 was the better option but I was not clear why... maybe the cleaver?  Anyhow, I'm going with the T4.  What is the thrid party item I should buy?  I saw a guy on YouTube that has a clear "ruler" type thing that seemed to be popular.  It's called an "All In One Angle Tool"..... used with the calculator.  Link: https://youtu.be/mZ8GxV04FOU

Exactly what I was looking for in both the PDF and the re-profile answer.  While I'm waiting for my T4, what is the best way to remember the angle, settings, etc for each knife?

That makes sense....

Yeah, it's currently on their website saying it's 30/hr.  You don't think that's the case anymore?

Welcome to the forum. I think the only thing I did right when I first started was to learn on old knives. Luckily I had quite a few that were saved and others that were in my camping box.
Pay attention to blade maintenance and you will significantly prolong the life of the edge.

When you say to pay attention to "blade maintenance" are you referring to honing, etc?

Sorry, to clarify, when I said 20 I meant 40 total.  What do you think about one of these guides?

Richard Kell Brass Bevel Gauge - https://www.bladehq.com/item--Richard-Kell-Solid-Brass-Bevel--16412

The biggest difference for a guy that will be sharpening kitchen knives (and may expand to carving one day) between the T4/T8 is the motor and that the T4 can only run 30 minutes an hour where the T8 is continual.  I'm sure there are others but is that basically it or am I missing something major aside from stone size, etc?

[US-1430 or a VFB from a third party. Your safest bet would be a T8. I would also feel comfortable with a T4, although some would not.]

Chris,
My honest opinion is that a T2 would serve you well with conventional chef knives. As you venture into other knives such as curved knives and cleavers, you enter the domain of the T4 and T8. With cleavers, if you want to use the SVM-45, you really need a US-1430 or a VFB from a third party.
Your safest bet would be a T8. I would also feel comfortable with a T4, although some would not.
Ken

Sorry, but I'm confused.  I thought the T4 was a smaller, and thus, pretty much the same as a T8.  I know what a SVM-45 is but I've searched what a US-1430 is and cannot find what that is.  Also, is a VFB the same as what Tormek calls their universal support?  Finally, I only have one cleaver, so, if I do that freehand and/or with my Spyderco then I'm fine with that.  I rarely use it.

Having said all that, I'm now wondering if I need to get a T8.   

I have searched within the group here and searched the company page for Tramontina knives for the answer for their recommended sharpening angle.  No luck.  I've also searched Google and Facebook groups and cannot find.  I'm assuming it's a standard 20 degrees as it's a German-style knife.  Two questions:

1 - I recall there was a linked database that Tormek is building on blade sharpening angles.  I've searched on here for that and cannot find.  Anyone have that link?

2 - I've been sharpening with Spyderco and I've likely "adjusted" the angle over the years because of my lack of accuracy.  Do you all recommend sharpening at the recommended angle per their website and, in essence, re-profile it?  If I use the "marker" method, I'm fearful that each side of the blade may be a different angle due to my lack of accuracy.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

As I recall, Curtis posted his small platform on facebook. He adapted the knife jig from his T2. I tried this and think it is the best thing going for small platforms. It actually works very well with all Tormek models. It is easily converted back to the T2 knife jig. The problem is cost. When I inquired about cost for the parts, apparently the first request, I was told that they would only be sold as an assembly for around $100US. This is unfortunate, as this would have been a very useful jig for all Tormeks.

I fumble with facebook searches. Chris, I suggest you send Curtis a private message.

Ken

Thanks a ton!