Recent posts

#1

Wood Turning / Re: New wood turning workshop ...

Last post by AKMike - Today at 01:20:41 AM

They don't mention bench height directly, but you will get some ideas by watching the Tormek Friends videos, particularly Glenn Lucas. You should also check out Glenn's YouTube channel for tips on sharpening woodturning tools with the Tormek.

Mike

https://tormek.com/en/inspiration/tormek-friends

#2

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: T4 - Wobble (video include...

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 03:34:07 PM

Any updates on the answer from Tormek support ?

#3

General Tormek Questions / TORMEK T-1 (wrong voltage)

Last post by TZero - Yesterday at 02:29:03 PM

Hello Team,

I recently received one as a gift, but I live in Brazil, where the standard voltage in my region is 110V, and the unit I received is configured for 220V.

I would like to know:

Is there an internal switch or any official modification procedure that can be done (by opening the machine) to safely switch it from 220V to 110V?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Best regards,

#4

Wood Turning / New wood turning workshop - ta...

Last post by MBS - Yesterday at 08:20:39 AM

Dear fellow turners,
I am a rather new wood turner - went for a weekend course with my father and brother and I ended up falling hard for turning.
I managed to get myself a small new shop that I'll dedicate to turning. I have some nice old kitchen cabinets that I'll incorporate into the shop.
I invested in the Tormek T-8 once I knew that I was getting serious about turning as a hobby. The T-8 will get it's own station in the workshop using one of the cabinets.
For knife sharpening it seems that the optimal working height is the top of the T-8 machine itself around navel height, but how do you feel about the height for sharpening turning tools? As I will hopefully soon have more time for turning, it means spending more time at the T-8 as well, so I am hoping to get it set up nicely from the start 

Your input is much appreciated!

MBS

#5

General Tormek Questions / Re: T8 user, starting to get b...

Last post by tgbto - August 10, 2026, 09:18:19 AM

You may want to look at this thread , or this one, this one, this one, and this one. 

#6

General Tormek Questions / Re: T8 user, starting to get b...

Last post by BPalv - August 09, 2026, 09:21:01 PM

I have seen folks grind tip to heel.  I wonder if that helps?

#7

Knife Sharpening / Re: Best approach for sharpeni...

Last post by BPalv - August 08, 2026, 10:52:05 PM

You have to grind the serrations before you hone or else you'll just have polished, blunt serrations. The Tormek technique for grinding serrations is freehand on the rounded shoulders of the grinding wheel. Some suggest to grind the backside with the side of the wheel, others to just hone the backside.

As for me, I prefer to clamp the knife in a vise or any holder, work on the serrations with a round ceramic rod, then use a few light passes of a very fine diamond plate for the backside.

The Tormek method is too much trouble IMO for serrated knives, and it is easy to grind way too much, or to inadvertently change the shape of the serrations.

This, with a caveat.  There are a zillion styles of serrated "teeth".  If this is only for your knife, carry on.

I have attempted honing either side of serrations using PA-70 with no real success. I will often make a quick pass on a 600 grit belt on the backside at a slightly elevated angle to only hit the tips of the serrations.  If that doesn't work, I do as mentioned above.  I use a ceramic rod or a small tapered diamond rod.

Please let us know if you have any success.
Al

#8

Knife Sharpening / Re: How to achieve less than 1...

Last post by tgbto - August 07, 2026, 08:46:31 AM

One use will scoot that Bess number over or very close to 100.  It is doable and rewarding once you're there, but not practical for everyday use...IMHO

My experience as well. Nowadays I only use my BESS tester for very high end knives or knives I have never sharpened and am not sure what the feel is when they're sharp. For all others, the sound and feel of slicing through paper is enough. Even more than sharpness, it helps test for consistency along the edge.

Thanks for the very detailed answer, it makes a lot of sense !

#9

Knife Sharpening / Re: How to achieve less than 1...

Last post by BPalv - August 06, 2026, 08:00:35 PM

This is almost exactly my process. I think I am at or below the 100 Bess mark based on tests outlined in Vadim's sharpening chart. I normally hone at +1.5°. I will try altering it to a lower number as you suggest after initial passes. Switching to the honing wheel with diamonds impregnated does help. I only bother with this step for my own knives. I normally stop with the PA-70 paste followed by stropping on leather.

Our techniques do seem to be very similar...
When I use the angle setter I just guess at +1.6.  That number can vary,  depending on steel or temper.
I only use diamonds selectively.  High end knives or anything I'm trying to polish.

In honing, I believe the angle and pressure (coupled with your choice of stropping compound) is the key.  Strop too lightly, no progress, too heavy and you grind away the teeth and risk rounding the apex.  That angle comes into play as well.

#10

Knife Sharpening / Re: How to achieve less than 1...

Last post by John_B - August 06, 2026, 06:59:40 PM

This is almost exactly my process. I think I am at or below the 100 Bess mark based on tests outlined in Vadim's sharpening chart. I normally hone at +1.5°. I will try altering it to a lower number as you suggest after initial passes. Switching to the honing wheel with diamonds impregnated does help. I only bother with this step for my own knives. I normally stop with the PA-70 paste followed by stropping on leather.