Recent posts

#21

General Tormek Questions / New YouTube Concept

Last post by Hugo Öhman - January 19, 2026, 10:29:32 AM

Hi dear forum members!
For your information; we're testing a slightly new concept on our English-language YouTube channel, where we record videos in a live-style format and have the tool itself as a starting point rather than the Tormek product.

This first episode covers how to sharpen a classic chef's knife. We'll keep uploading there at a slightly higher frequency, going through one tool at a time. Hope you enjoy it, and if there are any specific tools you'd like to see sharpened, head over to the video and leave a comment 😁

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3xkBU2GjcE

Have a great week!
/Hugo at Tormek

#22

General Tormek Questions / Lubricating the RB-180 Rotatin...

Last post by RichColvin - January 19, 2026, 01:39:42 AM

My RB-180 is a bit rough to rotate. I tried cleaning it, but that was only a marginal improvement.  I think it needs to be lubricated.  My first guess would be to use white lithium grease, but am wondering what others may be using? 

#23

General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...

Last post by Sir Amwell - January 19, 2026, 12:50:50 AM

My bad. That 350mm measurement includes a revolving base.
So it's 350mm minus the revolving base. Im not able to get to the workshop right now to measure that but if someone can't supply that information I'll get to it tomorrow...
Good point Ken!

#24

General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...

Last post by Ken S - January 19, 2026, 12:08:32 AM

Magnus,

A couple factors which may or may not apply to your needs:

1)Do you presently have or plan to have an RT-180 revolving base? If so, you will need to make allowances for it.

2)How much space will you need for for working above your Tormek? If you need only
storage "cubby", you will need very little space. For grinding into the wheel, you will need more clearance.

Just considerations. . .

Ken

#25

Knife Sharpening / Re: New knife sharpening video...

Last post by Rossy - January 18, 2026, 04:19:12 PM

I watched it, seems a little rushed but still great video. I have watched most of their videos and I have to say, they have helped me tremendously. I would love for them to make a series of individual videos that focused on one product, say single beveled knives (Deba, Usuba, Yanagiba) and spend about an hour or so, on detailed sharpening and then have a chef there use them to show the difference. All other items would be the same, Chisels and a woodworker, gouges and and a wood turner, the possibilities are endless and it would show the viewer how to get the most professional result from the Tormek range and jigs. I would also like to see a little bit more detail in their camera work, better closeups with good lighting so I can see the burr coming of the item being sharpened.

I hope I am not coming of as complaining as I am not, I just think a more detailed sharpening video, instead of rushing through many items would help lots of new and seasoned Tormek users.

#26

Knife Sharpening / CATRA Lab Results: Knife Grind...

Last post by BeSharp - January 18, 2026, 03:08:38 PM

In 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.

#27

General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...

Last post by magnus - January 17, 2026, 10:07:52 PM

Thank you. Helps allot!

#28

Knife Sharpening / New knife sharpening video fro...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - January 17, 2026, 09:40:47 PM

Tormek 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

#29

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Hand plane blade problems.

Last post by John Hancock Sr - January 17, 2026, 09:36:15 PM

It 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.

#30

General Tormek Questions / Re: What is the height of the ...

Last post by Sir Amwell - January 17, 2026, 09:03:25 PM

I have just measured it at 350mm. As accurate as I can be. Hope this helps.