Recent posts

#11

General Tormek Questions / expanded TT-50 thoughts

Last post by Ken S - March 12, 2026, 05:10:58 PM

I have posted before about my preferred TT-50 technique. I learned this by "resharpening" a turning skew. I set the jig according to the booklet recommendations and soon realized that the skew did not fit the standard specs. Instead of just resetting the skew to match the existing specs, I decided to regrind it to the Tormek jig specs. Bad move. It created a lot of time consuming work. The one bright spot was that I became fluent with my TT-50. I should have just shifted the skew gradually, correcting it over several sharpenings.

This experience helped me develop my mental bar graph of using the TT-50. Imagine a bar graph where the horizontal axis represents use time of the tool. The vertical axis represents the cutting efficiency (sharpness) of the tool. The tool begins with 0 time and 100% cutting efficiency. As the tool is used,  the cutting efficiency gradually decreases. Eventually, the TT-50 is used to restore the stone to 100% efficiency. Combining all the points lets us arrive at an average cutting efficiency.

If the TT-50 is used more often, the average cutting efficiency is improved. This principle is shown in the online class on Pressure. Done frequently, only a very light cut is needed, perhaps only half a number on the micro adjust. Wear on the grinding wheel in minisculs. For heavier or prolonged use, efficiency can be improved by leaving the TT-50 preset in a second support bar.

Here is a link to the Pressure online class. There is much good information in it.

https://www.youtube.com/live/7laP_ysnMwo?si=FzjiYp79vs5zLKfS

Ken

#12

General Tormek Questions / Re: test

Last post by MikeK - March 09, 2026, 01:07:06 AM

Forum is still a bit wonky. Fails to load or sometimes I get a page with text links.

I see the same page text links from time to time.  Refreshing the browser loads correctly.

#13

General Tormek Questions / Re: test

Last post by John_B - March 08, 2026, 09:02:27 PM

Forum is still a bit wonky. Fails to load or sometimes I get a page with text links.

#14

Knife Sharpening / Re: DIY Sharpness Tester

Last post by John Hancock Sr - March 08, 2026, 06:34:30 AM

It is nice to have if you are making YouTube videos.

Ha ha - too true.

Another use is if you are going after ultimate sharpness for some reason it gives you an idea of how various techniques work.

Absolutely agree. And well done.

#15

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: "Including, but not limite...

Last post by Ken S - March 08, 2026, 01:17:40 AM

When I purchased my first Tormek in 2009, in the US, "the Tormek" was the T7. In hindsight, like Integrale, if the T4 was available, it would have been quite adequate for my needs, either blue or Bushcraft version. No complaints with my faithful T7.

John, one of my pet ideas over the years has been using a single ball bowling bag to carry my T4. (It also works with a T2 or T1.) I think it makes an ideal way to carry a mobile Tormek. My Brunswick bag cost around thirty dollars US. I wish it had been available in blue with gold trim, the colors of Sweden and King Magnus III. In my humble opinion, that would have been really classy. However, my black bag is perfectly functional.

I removed the grinding wheel. I placed the wheel in its cardboard box. The box fits in the bottom of the bag. The T4 sits on the wheel box. A plastic food container would provide more water protection, but a sealable baggie would also work with the box. i lent my T4 to a friend for an extended trial run. I was surprised by how much my humble bowling bag held. Several jigs, truing tool, stone grader, etc., protective plastic cloth, extension cord, more etc.

The neckstrap makes carrying very convenient. I can even imagine using public transportation for mobile urban sharpening.

Ken

#16

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: "Including, but not limite...

Last post by John_B - March 07, 2026, 11:02:19 PM

I would like to have one for mobile sharpening when I visit family or friends. Quite often I am asked to cook and carve and I travel with a knife roll and a second set of knives. More than not I am asked to sharpen my host's knives. Rather than carting them home it would be more convenient to set up shop and sharpen there. For my daughter I will exchange a couple from the roll and bring hers home for a fresh edge.

#17

Knife Sharpening / Re: DIY Sharpness Tester

Last post by John_B - March 07, 2026, 06:45:18 PM

It is nice to have if you are making YouTube videos. Another use is if you are going after ultimate sharpness for some reason it gives you an idea of how various techniques work. Our library has a nice 3D printer and the clips for testing are only $21 a bag.

#18

Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / Re: "Including, but not limite...

Last post by integrale - March 07, 2026, 09:36:41 AM

Thank you for this.

I am - by any and all definitions^* - a hobbyist and when venturing in to Tormek land about a year ago I carefully perused the (relevant parts of)^* the internet to identify the differences between the T4 and the T8. Disregarding the above-mentioned "V8 lust" I ended up getting the T4 as the differences for my use where not sufficiently significant to justify the price difference. I have not regretted as the T4 is more than sufficient for my sharpening needs (it has replaced Japanese waterstones I have used to sharpen my knifes for several decades).

^*Yes, I AM a lawyer by trade

#19

Knife Sharpening / Re: DIY Sharpness Tester

Last post by John Hancock Sr - March 07, 2026, 12:15:12 AM

Yup. That all the BESS is. A general guide. Indeed IMHO the BESS is over priced and over rated.

#20

Knife Sharpening / DIY Sharpness Tester

Last post by John_B - March 06, 2026, 11:49:09 PM

I came across an interesting video where the author 3D printed a knife and 3D media holder to make a DIY BESS tester. He bought test media clips from BESS and a $13 digital scale. The only downside is that his scale does not retain highest reading. I think for around double the price you can find a scale that holds the highest reading. He also provides the printer files. He uses an electric knife sharpener for demonstrating which is funny if he is going for a low reading. I may go to the library and have the pieces printed. Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF_WTo-uLvg&t=360s