Recent posts

#11

General Tormek Questions / Re: Knife Steel Nerds

Last post by Brock O Lee - December 19, 2025, 07:04:23 AM

Does anyone know of Magnacut chef knives ? Ideally a japanese yo-gyutou or the like... I couldn't find any, only pocket knives...

I see a few options pop up for kitchen knives in Magnacut with a Google search...

Here is a 3-year review I found (not me) of a Magnacut Gyutou, to give you a sense of the characteristics of the steel in this application.

I do not own kitchen knives in Magnacut, but I have a number of pocket knives in it. It keeps an edge well (similar to S30V) and sharpens and deburrs easily at 63-64 HRC (easier than S30V). Impervious to corrosion. I like it.

#12

Knife Sharpening / Re: Consistenty of sharpening

Last post by John Hancock Sr - December 19, 2025, 04:01:43 AM

This is common since the knife may wear unevenly depending on the usage. It also depends on how the knife was sharpened previously. Even pressure throughout is best but with maybe a little less in the centre of the knife. Sharpen until you fell a burr along the whole length of the knife.  Also make sure you watch the Tormek Innovation videos on knife sharpening.

#13

Knife Sharpening / Re: SG-250 Question

Last post by John Hancock Sr - December 19, 2025, 03:57:57 AM

The grader is not included since it wears at a different rate to the wheel. How fast depends a lot on the use but you will typically get many wheels out of one grader. So in fact they are stopping you wasting your money.

#14

Knife Sharpening / Consistenty of sharpening

Last post by Jevans - December 18, 2025, 07:08:37 PM

Hey there,
Im new to sharpening with on the Tormek system. I recently bought a T8 and have been practicing on some of my own knives before going any further. I have found with some of my results that I achieve a sharp tip and initial first 1/3rd of the knife (slices through paper easily) but then the rest of the knife is not to that level of sharpness. Im making sure to keep the jig resting on the support bar. Im wondering if its a pressure related thing? Do you need to apply much pressure on the knife throughout the grind?

Thanks

[Bad news:]

#15

Knife Sharpening / Re: SG-250 Question

Last post by RichColvin - December 18, 2025, 05:40:59 PM

David,

Bad news:  you need to add the stone grader (SP-650), and also the stone truing tool (TT-50).

Good news:  you will probably never need to replace these two.  My stone grader is 20+ years old and still working strongly.  I upgraded to the TT-50 truing tool, but re-used the diamond tip which came with my machine in 2003.

I know that this all adds up to a lot of money; however, I would challenge you to find another machine that is this well made at a better cost.  One similar type of machine was made by Accu-Finish (though it no longer is).  You were lucky to be able to get one 5 years ago for less than $3,000.  And it too required a lot of add-on pieces, so $4,000 - $5,000 was not an unusual investment.


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I had a low-end metal lathe which seemed like a good deal at the time.  I learned a lot about how it worked as it was often broken down.  I now have a nice Jet lathe for metal.

When I purchased my Tormek SuperGrind 2000 in 2002, it cost $549.  Certainly, I've had to replace worn grinding wheels over the years just like one must replace brake pads or tires.  But I've only had to replace two parts on that machine, adding another $139 to the cost.  (I wish my pickup truck were so reliable.)
 
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Finally, I think it is also key for all of us to remember how Tormek supports what they make.  There have been some nice improvements made over the years (from my SuperGrind 2000 to my T-8), but all the jigs and parts work on both machines equally well.  I don't know any other companies which provide such backwards compatibility.


Please don't give up hope on your Tormek.  It will serve you well for a long time.

#16

Knife Sharpening / Re: Did I make a mistake?

Last post by tgbto - December 18, 2025, 05:30:27 PM

Here is an article that discusses what I was describing. I think that since this was written the availability of symmetrical Japanese knives has increased dramatically for the Western market.

https://japaneseknifesharpening.blogspot.com/2012/03/asymmetry-real-deal.html
[/quote]

Well, to be honest I'm not sure what I should think after reading this blog post ...

Common terminology:

100/0 (single bevel) – yanagiba, usuba, etc

90/10 (double bevel) – honesuki, garasuki, etc

80/20 , 70/30, 60/40 (double bevel) – gyuto, nakiri, sujihiki, etc

50/50 (symmetric) – non Japanese knife

So if 50/50 is "symmetric", and therefore at the same angle, I don't see why 90/10 or 80/20 couldn't be just the relative sizes of the bevels on each side, but still with the same angle. It would still be assymetrical.

Notice that I didn't say that you had to use the same angle on each side of the knife nor did I say that you needed to change the angle for each side of the knife or to make each side different angled than one another?

All right... and when it comes to a 80/20 suji, good luck knowing when you're hitting the apex on the side with the tiny bevel. That being said, an advice given byJonatan Broida at the time was to sharpen at the same angle, very lightly on the backside, then add a microbevel on the backside only.

#17

General Tormek Questions / Re: Knife Steel Nerds

Last post by tgbto - December 18, 2025, 05:07:00 PM

Does anyone know of Magnacut chef knives ? Ideally a japanese yo-gyutou or the like... I couldn't find any, only pocket knives...

#18

Knife Sharpening / Re: SG-250 Question

Last post by ABall - December 18, 2025, 04:35:38 PM

So, I ordered the SG-250 so I can sharpen scissors and it didn't come with the stone grader?

If it's true, and the SG-250 does not include the stone grader, I have to say I am incredibly disappointed in Tormek. Why on earth would I buy a stone who's main feature is that It can change grits from course to fine but they don't supply the tool to do it? I am regretting more and more in investing in this company. Not a happy person if this is true and I have to go and order the stone grader.

I bought a new stone grader because my old one was very worn on the fine side, I went for a clone though so it was much cheaper. However, I havent used it, I bought a few cheap diamond plates, 80, 240, 1000 and they are fantastic, I bought 2 of each thinking they would wear quick but they havent, I dont see me ever using the stone grader again. A bonus with the plates is you have to true the stone a lot less frequently.

#19

Knife Sharpening / Re: SG-250 Question

Last post by GeoBoy - December 18, 2025, 03:42:15 PM

Why would Tormek include a stone grader when most Tormek users already have one? You opted to put together a custom unit that didn't include a SG-250 the required grading. Oh and by the way you are going to also need the TT-50 to keep the SG-250 flat and true.

#20

Knife Sharpening / Re: SG-250 Question

Last post by Dan - December 18, 2025, 09:35:40 AM

Hello,
if you had taken some time too read the Tormek site you would understand what exactly is included with whatever machine. They are pretty clear, in my opinion.

https://tormek.com/en/products/sharpening-machines/tormek-t-8-custom#h-Includedinthebox

https://tormek.com/en/products/sharpening-machines/tormek-t-8-original#h-Includedinthebox

The stone grader is included with the T-8 original. You decided to buy the T-8 Custom....
If someone wants a new wheel to replace a worn out wheel there is no point in including another wheel dresser.

In any case, the stone is only about 30-40$ if you want it.

You do realise that you will also need the TT-50 wheel dresser to keep the SG-250 wheel true !!

Danny