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#11
Knife Sharpening / CATRA Lab Results: Knife Grind...
Last post by BeSharp - January 18, 2026, 03:08:38 PMIn 2025 I sent 25 knives (Mercer, Victorinox, and Global) to the Cutlery and Allied Trades Research Association ("CATRA") in Sheffield, England for Initial Cutting Performance ("ICP") and Cutting Edge Retention ("CER") testing under International Standards Organisation ("ISO") BS EN 8442-5, or, "Specification for sharpness and edge retention test of cutlery".
This was Knife Grinders of Australia ("KGA") Vadim Kraichuk's next project, according to his web site.
Sharpening and deburring were done either by me (BeSharp Sharpening) using KGA protocols (or variations thereof), or by four commercial sharpeners using their own protocols.
Higher CER values indicates longer edge retention. Using KGA's recommended protocols resulted in CER averaging 2.45 times longer than those four commercial sharpeners. It is also 2.66 times longer than the ISO 8442-5 mandated minimum CER. This is outstanding, considering three out of four knives sharpened and deburred by two of the four commercial sharpeners failed ISO 8442-5.
CER also depends on the steel used. Using KGA's recommended protocols, Mercer knives (X30Cr13 steel) lasted 19% less than Victorinox knives with X38CrMo14 steel. Global knives (CroMoVa18 steel) lasted 23% longer than Victorinox. Put another way, Globals lasted 46% longer than Mercers.
The KGA protocol was successfully varied in two ways to be faster and be cheaper. CER did not depend so much on the type of machine, but on the deburring method. One method that gave very good CER was with a Tormek T8, then deburring with the CW-220 Composite Honing Wheel with the guide bar height set for honing with the KS-123 Knife Angle Setter.
Download the 36-page report at my blog on my website: https://be-sharp.io/2026/01/09/catra-testing-cutting-edge-retention-bess-knife-grinders-australia/
Eric Ho
BeSharp Sharpening
Richmond, B.C., Canada
www.be-sharp.ioYou cannot view this attachment.
This was Knife Grinders of Australia ("KGA") Vadim Kraichuk's next project, according to his web site.
Sharpening and deburring were done either by me (BeSharp Sharpening) using KGA protocols (or variations thereof), or by four commercial sharpeners using their own protocols.
Higher CER values indicates longer edge retention. Using KGA's recommended protocols resulted in CER averaging 2.45 times longer than those four commercial sharpeners. It is also 2.66 times longer than the ISO 8442-5 mandated minimum CER. This is outstanding, considering three out of four knives sharpened and deburred by two of the four commercial sharpeners failed ISO 8442-5.
CER also depends on the steel used. Using KGA's recommended protocols, Mercer knives (X30Cr13 steel) lasted 19% less than Victorinox knives with X38CrMo14 steel. Global knives (CroMoVa18 steel) lasted 23% longer than Victorinox. Put another way, Globals lasted 46% longer than Mercers.
The KGA protocol was successfully varied in two ways to be faster and be cheaper. CER did not depend so much on the type of machine, but on the deburring method. One method that gave very good CER was with a Tormek T8, then deburring with the CW-220 Composite Honing Wheel with the guide bar height set for honing with the KS-123 Knife Angle Setter.
Download the 36-page report at my blog on my website: https://be-sharp.io/2026/01/09/catra-testing-cutting-edge-retention-bess-knife-grinders-australia/
Eric Ho
BeSharp Sharpening
Richmond, B.C., Canada
www.be-sharp.ioYou cannot view this attachment.
#12
General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...
Last post by magnus - January 17, 2026, 10:07:52 PMThank you. Helps allot!
#13
Knife Sharpening / New knife sharpening video fro...
Last post by John Hancock Sr - January 17, 2026, 09:40:47 PMTormek Innovation have just posted a new video on knife sharpening covering the T1, T2, and T8 using the KS-123.
https://youtu.be/b3xkBU2GjcE?si=GWBPOdFqzccr6gHC
https://youtu.be/b3xkBU2GjcE?si=GWBPOdFqzccr6gHC
#14
Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Hand plane blade problems.
Last post by John Hancock Sr - January 17, 2026, 09:36:15 PMIt sounds to me like the old irons have lost their temper. If the steel is too soft then the burr will be difficult to remove.
#15
General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...
Last post by Sir Amwell - January 17, 2026, 09:03:25 PMI have just measured it at 350mm. As accurate as I can be. Hope this helps.
#16
General Tormek Questions / What is the height of the T8?
Last post by magnus - January 17, 2026, 08:26:25 PMHello
New here. Reading allot. I have a Tormek T4 that i very much like but i feel it is time to upgrade to the T8. Although i fear my current workbench may be to high for the T8 and that would maybe be a problem for me.
Can someone in the forum tell me the measurement from the workbench to the top of a 250mm stone on the T8? (preferably in cm but inch ok)
That would help me allot. I have found difference in tormek´s statements and i figure the forum could give me a definitive answer. Of course it would have to be a pretty new stone or a diamond stone.
New here. Reading allot. I have a Tormek T4 that i very much like but i feel it is time to upgrade to the T8. Although i fear my current workbench may be to high for the T8 and that would maybe be a problem for me.
Can someone in the forum tell me the measurement from the workbench to the top of a 250mm stone on the T8? (preferably in cm but inch ok)
That would help me allot. I have found difference in tormek´s statements and i figure the forum could give me a definitive answer. Of course it would have to be a pretty new stone or a diamond stone.
#17
Knife Sharpening / Re: Struggling to keep knife f...
Last post by RickKrung - January 17, 2026, 06:01:55 PMQuote from: blade runner on January 12, 2026, 06:24:48 AMI 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?
What is the configuration you are using? Vertical/rear USB (edge-leading) or Horizonatal/front USB (edge-trailing), with or without an FVB? Only happening when grinding or when honing on one of the Tormek honing wheels? Photos showing when it is happening might help alot in understanding how/why this is happening.
#18
Hand Tool Woodworking / Hand plane blade problems.
Last post by Alexandros - January 17, 2026, 03:37:30 PMMy setup is a T4 with the SG200 and the 2 Japanese Sun Tiger Wheels 800 and 4000 grit.
I am successful in getting most my gouges, chisels and plane blades having sharp. I use the SVS 36 for all since is the only relevant jig I have.
However I came across 2 blades (both of them vintage blades bought in Germany) that I have failed (using the svs36). The burr was extremely hard to get rid of and when I did succeed to bring it to a really good cutting shape (not hair popping sharp as I like), after very few passes on a soft fur I see the edge getting damaged A LOT.
Any ideas? I would blame the steel but I am not that experienced and confident to do so.
I am successful in getting most my gouges, chisels and plane blades having sharp. I use the SVS 36 for all since is the only relevant jig I have.
However I came across 2 blades (both of them vintage blades bought in Germany) that I have failed (using the svs36). The burr was extremely hard to get rid of and when I did succeed to bring it to a really good cutting shape (not hair popping sharp as I like), after very few passes on a soft fur I see the edge getting damaged A LOT.
Any ideas? I would blame the steel but I am not that experienced and confident to do so.
#19
Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Sharpening an old wood chi...
Last post by WimSpi - January 17, 2026, 10:04:58 AMThanks for the tip. I hadn't thought of that.
#20
Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Sharpening an old wood chi...
Last post by RichColvin - January 17, 2026, 06:04:54 AMThe MB-102 multibase is excellent for addressing the resharpening of short chisels as you can use the side of the grindstone.