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Recent posts
#11
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by John Hancock Sr - March 04, 2026, 01:02:54 AMQuote from: Ken S on March 03, 2026, 08:25:43 PMTormek IT replied that according to our hosting service, we had an attack by a botnet.My money weas on a DDOS (distributed denial of service) attack. All too common these days. Insecure smart devices making it easier.
#12
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by Ken S - March 03, 2026, 08:25:43 PMTormek IT replied that according to our hosting service, we had an attack by a botnet. That is way above my paygrade, however, we are hopefully done with it.
Thanks for being alert, guys.
Ken
Thanks for being alert, guys.
Ken
#13
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by John_B - March 03, 2026, 07:08:53 PMGlad you are on it Ken
#14
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by Ken S - March 03, 2026, 05:54:01 PMMike,
I have experienced the same failure rate today. I sent a status update request to Tormek IT. I will post any updates.
Ken
I have experienced the same failure rate today. I sent a status update request to Tormek IT. I will post any updates.
Ken
#15
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by MikeK - March 03, 2026, 03:15:15 PM...for now. It's been a roller coaster ride of up and down the past few days.
Update: I've tried accessing this site at least a dozen times today and managed to get through only twice.
Update: I've tried accessing this site at least a dozen times today and managed to get through only twice.
#17
General Tormek Questions / test
Last post by Ken S - March 02, 2026, 01:06:35 PMtest
the forum appears to be working again!
Ken
the forum appears to be working again!
Ken
#18
Gardening Tools / Re: Approach to sharpening law...
Last post by tgbto - February 27, 2026, 08:37:06 AMA few strokes on a belt sander do wonders for a lawnmower blade, in less time than is necessary to setup the Tormek. And the Tormek will remove metal much slower than the belt sander, especially on a thick blade.
#19
Knife Sharpening / Re: Update: Noobie Advice Abo...
Last post by Sir Amwell - February 26, 2026, 12:51:39 AMI run a knife sharpening business that started out just like yours is now.
I still sharpen family and good friends knives for free.
Normal friends get 'mates rates'.
Everyone else gets charged at a reasonable rate to commensurate me for my time.
It's a side hustle that is now rewarding for all the time and expense I've put in.
If I could take a leap it would become THE hustle and not a side one.
However,my focus has always been quality over quantity and my customers are passionate about their knives and don't argue prices or ever complain.
So I would need to put in some promo work and widen my radius to make it a full time business. Every time you sharpen for family and friends you are gaining invaluable experience/practice and knowledge so it's an investment as well as being a joy to do.
(I still love sharpening despite many hundreds of knives).
On a practical level, from what you've described, I would suggest paying more attention to your honing technique/protocols to achieve silent buttery smooth slicing of paper.
It's easy to chop down a tree when you know how. Another matter to properly clear up afterwards.
Same with knife sharpening. It's relatively easy to grind an edge and raise a burr. A different matter to hone and completely remove the burr to get it to its true potential.
Keep going, enjoy, and good luck on your journey.
I still sharpen family and good friends knives for free.
Normal friends get 'mates rates'.
Everyone else gets charged at a reasonable rate to commensurate me for my time.
It's a side hustle that is now rewarding for all the time and expense I've put in.
If I could take a leap it would become THE hustle and not a side one.
However,my focus has always been quality over quantity and my customers are passionate about their knives and don't argue prices or ever complain.
So I would need to put in some promo work and widen my radius to make it a full time business. Every time you sharpen for family and friends you are gaining invaluable experience/practice and knowledge so it's an investment as well as being a joy to do.
(I still love sharpening despite many hundreds of knives).
On a practical level, from what you've described, I would suggest paying more attention to your honing technique/protocols to achieve silent buttery smooth slicing of paper.
It's easy to chop down a tree when you know how. Another matter to properly clear up afterwards.
Same with knife sharpening. It's relatively easy to grind an edge and raise a burr. A different matter to hone and completely remove the burr to get it to its true potential.
Keep going, enjoy, and good luck on your journey.
#20
Knife Sharpening / Update: Noobie Advice About G...
Last post by Dulcmrman - February 26, 2026, 12:16:16 AMSince my last post about grinding stones, I have been practicing on my new-to-me T-4 with a new SG-200 stone. My wife volunteers at the local Disabled American Vets (DAV) store and has been bringing home donated knives that are basically slightly sharp screwdrivers. Here are some of my observations.
Using a Tormek is harder than it looks and there is a learning curve, although not that steep.
My first few jobs were a bit ragged, but I am getting better. Not good enough to put my really good knives on the machine yet but getting closer.
After working on six or so knives I can now achieve an edge that cuts paper reasonably well, but not like some of the experts I see on YouTube. My edges cut the paper but are "noisy" whereas the expert's edges really glide through the paper in near silence. More practice is indicated.
Advice from forum members about delaying the purchase of finer grit stones like the diamond or Japanese water stones is spot on. I will continue to practice until I achieve that really smooth edge.
I am a hobbyist and don't plan to start a business, but some friends have already expressed an interest in having their knives sharpened. I may do this. Do any of you do so? Do you charge, or do it as a favor?
Lastly, the edge I am getting with the T-4 takes just minutes to produce as opposed to a significantly langer time with my waterstones. I like that a lot!!
Using a Tormek is harder than it looks and there is a learning curve, although not that steep.
My first few jobs were a bit ragged, but I am getting better. Not good enough to put my really good knives on the machine yet but getting closer.
After working on six or so knives I can now achieve an edge that cuts paper reasonably well, but not like some of the experts I see on YouTube. My edges cut the paper but are "noisy" whereas the expert's edges really glide through the paper in near silence. More practice is indicated.
Advice from forum members about delaying the purchase of finer grit stones like the diamond or Japanese water stones is spot on. I will continue to practice until I achieve that really smooth edge.
I am a hobbyist and don't plan to start a business, but some friends have already expressed an interest in having their knives sharpened. I may do this. Do any of you do so? Do you charge, or do it as a favor?
Lastly, the edge I am getting with the T-4 takes just minutes to produce as opposed to a significantly langer time with my waterstones. I like that a lot!!