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#1

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: Tormek convexing video

Last post by tgbto - Today at 09:16:48 AM

Still, this convexing thing is as obscure as ever: there is no explanation whatsoever of why this back-and-forth movement on a convex sharpening medium would end-up producing a convex blade.

A Tormek (and in particular a 200mm one) is intrinsically a bad candidate for convexing a blade. Especially very close to the edge, where the blade will -no matter what - retain the concavity that is the negative image of the wheel.

In addition to that, you don't manage the height over which you shape (for lack of better word) the blade, so it would be quite the miracle if said height matched the blade's original bevel height.

#2

Knife Sharpening / Re: Recurve filet knives (why?...

Last post by tgbto - Today at 09:04:07 AM

In this example, I think the recurve is due to the bolster, which in turn is there for safety reasons (it prevents the index finger from sliding onto the blade), and a desire to blend it smoothly with a thin blade. The recurve has no interest in terms of how you cut, but it *will* be a PITA for sharpening.

As a general rule, knives with a bolster will be troublesome when sharpening with a Tormek : you will usually end up with a dent, usually not right at the bolster. Knives with a recurve will be troublesome when sharpening with a Tormek : you won't be able to sharpen the recurve harmoniously except freehand. Also, although recurves are always a bit tricky, a rod-base sharpening system with a narrow plate will be much, much easier to use and will allow controlled-angle sharpening. For light touch-ups, a belt system with thin, flexible belts and a bit of slack will also make the sharpener's life easier.

Japanese western-style knives are more suited to Tormek-assisted sharpening : they have no bolster and only have convex blades. Interestingly enough, the Japanese don't use this kind of flexible blades. Instead, they use massive (wa-deba) blades for filleting fish, or very thin straight blades (called "sujis" or "lasers") for thin slicing.

#3

Knife Sharpening / Re: some subtle information ab...

Last post by tgbto - Today at 08:32:08 AM

Isn't it surprising that he said that the grinding direction doesn't matter?

In my experience, the grinding direction doesn't matter (much) in terms of final sharpness. There are some knives, mostly of very soft steel, where sharpening edge-trailing will indeed form a much longer, foil-like burr. However, these steels are so soft that the foil burr will be removed easily anyway ... and edge retention will be bad either way.

That being said, it might be hard to tell from sound and feel alone when you're done honing a foil burr. I'm not sure it takes much longer though.

I also found that grinding edge-leading with the SJ stone might give the impression that there is no burr, when there actually is a line of well-aligned plastified steel just at the edge.

Eventually, I didn't find much of a difference in terms of edge retention between edge-leading and edge-trailing.

Maybe it's splitting hairs in the context?

Or whittling hair ? I don't know if it was intentional, but nice one anyway 

#4

Knife Sharpening / Re: Recurve filet knives (why?...

Last post by Swemek - March 28, 2026, 05:01:59 PM

Haha I see now that the example wasn't the best. There are filet knives that are worse were the recurve starts further down the blade.

#5

Knife Sharpening / Recurve filet knives (why?)

Last post by Swemek - March 28, 2026, 02:52:09 PM

I think it's really annoying to sharpen many filet knives, the ones that has a recurve, like the one below. I have old wheels that I have rounded for knifes like this. But is there a reason for this shape on (some) filet knives?

My guess is that the negative curve is there for aesthetics and that the often flexible blade needs some support, which a straight blade wouldn't give?

This must be an issue for other sharpening scenarios and not only on Tormek. I have tormeks diamond wheels and want best possible sharpness on filet knives for obvious reasons.

#6

Knife Sharpening / Re: some subtle information ab...

Last post by Swemek - March 28, 2026, 02:16:40 PM

Isn't it surprising that he said that the grinding direction doesn't matter? I've been told that the direction against the edge gives shorter burr that's easier to remove, rather than longer burr on gets from grinding away from the edge. Maybe it's splitting hairs in the context?

I have one of theses Mora carving knifes, they are a joy to use and extremely sharp when new, way sharper than the ordinary Moras, also very easy to sharpen and maintain.

Nice video, thanks!

#7

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Stanley #1 plane

Last post by Ken S - March 27, 2026, 09:10:05 PM

Good questions, Tom. Paul Sellers from the UK is certainly an excellent source. Another excellent resource person in the US is Ernie Conover. He can be emailed through conoverworkshops.com.  I have known Ernie for thirty years and have taken numerous classes with him, including his handplane restoration class. He is an excellent teacher.

The #1 plane is really a very collectable plane rather than a user. Approach any restoration carefully.

Ken

#8

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Tormek convexing video

Last post by Ken S - March 27, 2026, 08:50:07 PM

I was pleased to find this new video from Tormek about convexing sharpening a knife with a T4 Bushcraft. Granted, it could be just as easily done with a T7/8 or a regular T4; however, I have felt the T4 Bushcraft has not received much press.

The video was very well done, both informationally and technically. Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/zqqEyRU2SxY?si=-MOVJymKkkPCObaJ

Ken

#9

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: T-4 compatibility in the 2...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - March 27, 2026, 12:41:34 PM

I know in Australia the woodworking stores have several Tormek knock offs and I think the UK would be much the same. They come in at about AU$400 which is probably around 200 pounds or less. The wheels are interchangeable.

#10

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: T-4 compatibility in the 2...

Last post by Hobbit72 - March 27, 2026, 10:51:37 AM

Ken

Thank you for the response 👍. I will have a look at those options