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#1
Knife Sharpening / Re: Lessons learnt from knife ...
Last post by Royale - Today at 05:41:42 AMNo worries at all.
I'm always glad to share encounters with the "special people" that are somehow drawn to me, and anything about my workflow as well.
I'm always glad to share encounters with the "special people" that are somehow drawn to me, and anything about my workflow as well.
#2
Knife Sharpening / Re: Lessons learnt from knife ...
Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 02:22:43 PMSorry sorry sorry, I meant that to be a tongue in cheek question ... I was talking about the BESS score of the alarm clock.
#3
General Tormek Questions / Re: Skip ACC with the Diamond?
Last post by Swemek - Yesterday at 09:44:58 AMQuote from: Royale on Yesterday at 03:06:20 AMI'm gonna guess you're thinking of how to economise the use of your ACC-150 solution?hello Royale! Not so much the economy, but rather the hassle of minding the water.
Whenever I clean my diamond grindstones in my ultrasonic cleaner with just water and dish soap, I rinse them with water to remove all soap.
Then I mount the grindstone on my T8 and spin them for a bit in the trough filled with the ACC-150 solution. I do it just to coat it with the solution, then I let it drip dry before storing it.
If you're drying off your grindstone after using just water, you'll need to access the hollow section under the plastic cover, and that is where corrosion may form without you knowing.
Also, if you're using just water, you roll the dice if you encounter knife steel that flash rusts quickly, getting embedded in your grindstone and causing rust spots all over, no matter how fast you dry it after.
You're totally right, first I thought of removing the plastic sides so I could make sure it was dry, but yesterday I found a container that fits the wheel in which I rinse the wheel for a moment after each use. I believe I got the idea from a another post you wrote some time ago.
Thanks!
#4
Knife Sharpening / Re: Lessons learnt from knife ...
Last post by Royale - Yesterday at 08:38:50 AMNo problem, I'm open to share.
I used to measure sharpness before and after (PT50A), but once I started explaining to customers what the numbers meant, it just went over their heads. They just ended up running their fingers across the blade, lifting it up to "inspect the apex", and a stranger one would drag his thumbnail perpendicular across the bevel, scraping his thumbnail to do some sort of "testing".
But back to your question. For my $40 higher service tier pricing, I do sharpening, blade polishing, minor repairs and ultrasonic cleaning. Typically for very acute angle Japanese knives, or ceramic ones.
I aim for as low as possible BESS scores within reasonable effort, but my results typically hover between 80+ to 120+. Starting point for customer knives vary a lot. Highest was nearly 4000, average about 400-800.
I used to measure sharpness before and after (PT50A), but once I started explaining to customers what the numbers meant, it just went over their heads. They just ended up running their fingers across the blade, lifting it up to "inspect the apex", and a stranger one would drag his thumbnail perpendicular across the bevel, scraping his thumbnail to do some sort of "testing".
But back to your question. For my $40 higher service tier pricing, I do sharpening, blade polishing, minor repairs and ultrasonic cleaning. Typically for very acute angle Japanese knives, or ceramic ones.
I aim for as low as possible BESS scores within reasonable effort, but my results typically hover between 80+ to 120+. Starting point for customer knives vary a lot. Highest was nearly 4000, average about 400-800.
#5
Knife Sharpening / Re: Lessons learnt from knife ...
Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 08:15:34 AMQuote from: Royale on Yesterday at 02:55:38 AMAnd she pulled out an analog alarm clock.
Care to share the BESS score before/after your services ?
#6
General Tormek Questions / Re: Skip ACC with the Diamond?
Last post by Royale - Yesterday at 03:06:20 AMI'm gonna guess you're thinking of how to economise the use of your ACC-150 solution?
Whenever I clean my diamond grindstones in my ultrasonic cleaner with just water and dish soap, I rinse them with water to remove all soap.
Then I mount the grindstone on my T8 and spin them for a bit in the trough filled with the ACC-150 solution. I do it just to coat it with the solution, then I let it drip dry before storing it.
If you're drying off your grindstone after using just water, you'll need to access the hollow section under the plastic cover, and that is where corrosion may form without you knowing.
Also, if you're using just water, you roll the dice if you encounter knife steel that flash rusts quickly, getting embedded in your grindstone and causing rust spots all over, no matter how fast you dry it after.
Whenever I clean my diamond grindstones in my ultrasonic cleaner with just water and dish soap, I rinse them with water to remove all soap.
Then I mount the grindstone on my T8 and spin them for a bit in the trough filled with the ACC-150 solution. I do it just to coat it with the solution, then I let it drip dry before storing it.
If you're drying off your grindstone after using just water, you'll need to access the hollow section under the plastic cover, and that is where corrosion may form without you knowing.
Also, if you're using just water, you roll the dice if you encounter knife steel that flash rusts quickly, getting embedded in your grindstone and causing rust spots all over, no matter how fast you dry it after.
#7
Knife Sharpening / Re: Lessons learnt from knife ...
Last post by Royale - Yesterday at 02:55:38 AMSo it finally happened.
About three weeks into the start of my physical store/sharpening workshop, a lady approached us and asked what we did. We replied "We sharpen knives and scissors".
She said "I have something small... I was wondering if you could repair it". As she rummaged through her handbag, I was thinking maybe a pocket knife, a pair of scissors?
And she pulled out an analog alarm clock.
I swear you could not make this up, even if you tried in a lab.
About three weeks into the start of my physical store/sharpening workshop, a lady approached us and asked what we did. We replied "We sharpen knives and scissors".
She said "I have something small... I was wondering if you could repair it". As she rummaged through her handbag, I was thinking maybe a pocket knife, a pair of scissors?
And she pulled out an analog alarm clock.
I swear you could not make this up, even if you tried in a lab.
#8
General Tormek Questions / Re: Grit confusion
Last post by John Hancock Sr - Yesterday at 12:29:38 AMHaving said that I have wondered myself which standard they use. I assumed FEPA P since wheels generally use the bonded standard. You could ask them. Alternatively watch the next Tormek Innovation class and ask a question live. Probably not until next year.
As an aside I am preparing a new Tormek tip video diving into the science behind the regrading.
As an aside I am preparing a new Tormek tip video diving into the science behind the regrading.
#9
General Tormek Questions / Re: Grit confusion
Last post by Ken S - November 23, 2025, 12:48:22 PMWelcome 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
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
#10
General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek T-8 switch does not...
Last post by HOSHIKEN - November 23, 2025, 01:32:01 AMThank you very much for your replies.
I'm relieved that the mystery has finally been solved.
Since the voltage in Japan is 100V, I now understand why the 230V switch could not stay in the ON position.
I also feel sorry that Axminster Tools had to send me the switch twice because of this issue.
I regret that I didn't search for this kind of information earlier, as it would have saved everyone a lot of trouble.
First, I will purchase a step-up transformer (100V → 230V) and test the machine.
If it works, I will report back here.
Thank you again for all your help.
Greetings from Japan.
Kenji
I'm relieved that the mystery has finally been solved.
Since the voltage in Japan is 100V, I now understand why the 230V switch could not stay in the ON position.
I also feel sorry that Axminster Tools had to send me the switch twice because of this issue.
I regret that I didn't search for this kind of information earlier, as it would have saved everyone a lot of trouble.
First, I will purchase a step-up transformer (100V → 230V) and test the machine.
If it works, I will report back here.
Thank you again for all your help.
Greetings from Japan.
Kenji