Recent posts

#21

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by Sir Amwell - December 15, 2025, 12:20:46 AM

Surely the answer here is to use the tried and tested 'increase the spine thickness by adding layers of tape to the desired tolerances' which I think is between 2 and 3 mm?

#22

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by Ken S - December 14, 2025, 11:28:28 PM

I sharpen only my own knives. The only thin knife I own is the Henckels boning knife which is part of the set I purchased in 1990. My wife and I eat very little fish, so I have never added a fillet knife.

I have SVM 100 and 140 jigs, as well as a KJ-140. My boning knife is not long enough for either 140 jig. In hindsight, I would not purchase either of the long knife jigs, although I like the regular knife jigs.

Ken

#23

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by HaioPaio - December 14, 2025, 08:51:37 PM

while the blade is 0,6 mm thick.

If I had known that, I wouldn't have posted.

I'm glad you found a solution that meets your needs. I have never sharpened a knife with a spine thickness of 0.6 mm, so I can't really contribute a solution.

Personally, I believe that the jig for long knives is not designed to support extremely thin blades. I haven't seen a specified lower limit for suitable spine thickness, but it seems obvious that sharpening something as thin as a piece of aluminum foil would be difficult to work with the setup.

That said, I've never tried it myself, and I don't know the practical limits.

#24

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife restoration - Marble...

Last post by Ken S - December 14, 2025, 07:44:59 PM

Nicely done, Kwakster!

Ken

#25

Knife Sharpening / Re: Tormek Marker

Last post by Ken S - December 14, 2025, 07:43:18 PM

I would like to interject my thoughts about what is included and what is not included with various Tormek models. I will use the T4 as an illustration. The balance is between the most substantial machine and the final price. I have always thought the T4 is more than a hobby machine. When it was first introduced, the only three Tormek wheels for it were the SG and the SJ. The diamond wheels were not added until several years later. I have always thought that the TT-50 should have been included, although I realize that would have increased the price substantially. I also replaced the plastic EZY Lock nut with the metal nut issued with the T8 and the plain nut with the quick release as on the T8. These make the T4 a more efficient heavy duty machine, although at higher cost.

I look at any Tormek as a long term investment. I do not factor in cost"savings" when comparing models. In the long run, I believe the more practical machine is the best value.

Ken

#26

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by Ken S - December 14, 2025, 07:18:24 PM

I would like to add my thought that I believe the middle gap in the longer Tormek knife jigs was an intentional design feature. When I visited Tormek, I was included in a design committee meeting. The members are an incredible, very experienced group. I have great confidence in them.

Ken

#27

Knife Sharpening / Knife restoration - Marble's W...

Last post by kwakster - December 14, 2025, 02:28:33 PM

Restoration projects like these can be very rewarding, as not only do you get to bring pieces of knife history back to life, it's quite useful to practice your skills, plus it pays for itself as generally i use the proceeds of the sale of a restored knife to buy other oldies that could use some work.
This is an original Marble's Woodcraft fixed blade, probably from the 1930's.

In this case my Tormek T7 fitted with an SB-250 Blackstone (black silicon carbide) was only used in a supporting role: grinding the old edge flat to remove all of the old damage, so i could then hand regrind the blade back to it's original full convex shape.

Before:










After:

#28

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by Kenshiro_Joestar - December 13, 2025, 07:52:14 PM

Hello HaiPaio,
thanks for your comment. Almost the whole blade is not fully supported in the jig, which makes the blade move and making it slightly wider in the middle (smaller edge angle). The gap, after cranking the screw down, is 1,25 mm while the blade is 0,6 mm thick. Only the outmost parts contact the blade. Thanks to Rich and Ken I could confirm the clamp is in spec, so no big (or even small) deal. Some cardboard was enough to solve that.
Eric

#29

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by HaioPaio - December 13, 2025, 06:32:49 PM

Eric
Please try sharpening with much less pressure. The smile is very likely not caused by the jig.

#30

Knife Sharpening / Re: KJ-140 middle gap normal?

Last post by Kenshiro_Joestar - December 13, 2025, 05:36:12 PM

Thanks Rich and Ken!
I will tinker around some more with the jig. It seems I need to shim it, even cranking it uncomfortably hard won't close the gap enough and the blade isn't fully supported in the middle, creating a small "smile" in the grind.
Eric