Recent posts

#1

Knife Sharpening / Re: Sharpen workflow for ‘mid-...

Last post by Royale - Today at 04:20:01 PM

I think a good place to start is to be very clear on the standard(s) that you're aiming for, and the general trend in knives you receive.

About 99% of customer knives I receive are the end product of numerous botched sharpening attempts, and hatchet jobs by other sharpening businesses.

I just reprofile all knives I get with the SG-250, sharpen with the DF-250, then strop. BESS testing is only for my top tier service (for high end knives and/or professional chefs), and for this service I go through all diamond grindstones, the SJ-250, and strop.

But my motivation may be different from yours, because my business is still relatively new, and I'm more focused on social media outreach and generating customer to customer chatter.

But yeah, I'd recommend establishing what "good enough" is, to be very clear about it, then the workflow will pretty much create itself.

#2

General Tormek Questions / Re: chisel with 25 degrees in ...

Last post by MikeK - Today at 03:01:04 PM

Once you set the bar height for the first one make a note of the protrusion and set them all with the same protrusion.

That's what I do and how I was taught by the late David Charlesworth.  I have the Tormek T8 (David had the T7) with the DC-250 diamond wheel and SE-77 jig.  The bar is 9mm above the wheel and the projection is 38mm for a 25-degree hollow ground bevel.

I use a 5mm and 4mm Domino tenon glued together for the 9mm spacer to set the bar height.  This works for all chisels and plane irons and has never failed to produce consistent results.

#3

General Tormek Questions / Re: chisel with 25 degrees in ...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - Today at 09:45:08 AM

Once you set the bar height for the first one make a note of the protrusion and set them all with the same protrusion.

#4

General Tormek Questions / Re: Jig collar bumps leg of su...

Last post by BPalv - Today at 01:15:00 AM

In looking close, the issue is mostly caused by the design of the KJ-45.  In the standard jig the collar is flat.  On the KJ-45 it flares out slightly.  As Sir Amwell mentioned, a file solved his issue.  I think a little work on the threads at the top of the leg should solve my issue as well.
Thank you!

And for what it's worth, I think the 430 as the standard makes sense... to me, a knife sharpener.

#5

General Tormek Questions / Re: Jig collar bumps leg of su...

Last post by John_B - Yesterday at 06:35:23 PM

I was one of the early owners of the US-430 and it is always mounted for sharpening. I use the standard support bar on the honing side. Saves a little time especially if I am sharpening knives and if I am able to maintain a constant projection.

#6

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife modification - Vinta...

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 11:11:50 AM

@kwakster, the quality of your work is amazing. Thanks for sharing those with us. I love the new look of the handle.

#7

Knife Sharpening / Re: Sharpen workflow for ‘mid-...

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 11:08:20 AM

If sub 200 Bess is your goal then sell out and do all your sharpening on belt grinders and go for volume rather than quality.

I found that controlled angle grinding on a belt grinder followed by controlled honing on leather belt+PA70 compound yield 120ish BESS results. I don't think speed and quality are exclusive, and when reprofiling in involved, this is clearly the way to go. The Tormek has an edge in dust generation and "zen" power, plus it shines when it is not exclusively used for sharpening knives.

#8

General Tormek Questions / Re: Jig collar bumps leg of su...

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 09:55:36 AM

Just as those who sharpen  knives exclusively occasionally complain about having  to pay for including the SE-77 with the T8, woodworkers might complain about paying to include a US-430.

I was not suggesting including an **additional** US-430 that would sit in a drawer for those working only wood, but rather including it as standard delivery.
As far as I know, it is not a hindrance for those who wouldn't use the additional length. Regarding manufacturing costs, I doubt an additional welding and a few grams of steel would make much of a difference (plus the US-430 only uses straight bars).

#9

General Tormek Questions / Re: Knife Steel Nerds

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 09:48:05 AM

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it looks like they're out of stock too...

#10

Knife Sharpening / Re: Struggling to keep knife f...

Last post by blade runner - Yesterday at 06:24:48 AM

I have encountered a similar issue about keeping the blade flat on the stone. The blade holder keeps hitting the post of the threaded part of the universal support bar. I am unable to slide the blade holder smoothly along the bar. What should I do to avoid this?