Recent posts

#21

Knife Sharpening / Knife modification - Spyderco ...

Last post by kwakster - February 08, 2026, 04:05:53 PM

Years ago i modified this Spyderco Endura ZDP-189 from a saber/flat ground to a saber/hollow ground knife with the help of my trusted Tormek T7 fitted with an SB-250 Black Silicon stone & a modified knife clamp.
Previously the knife looked like this (with an already Tormek reprofiled edge angle of ~25 degrees inclusive)







Afterwards the knife looked like this.
Although the edge angle was only marginally thinned to ~22,5 degrees inclusive, the area just behind the edge is much thinner now at ~0.3 mm, making the the knife cut better noticeably.













The job took about 2 hours of grinding (with the SB-250 stone graded to coarse with the help of the TT-50 diamond stone grader), as ZDP-189 in it's hardened state (64-65 HRC on this model) is quite some wear resistant stuff.
To grade it back to fine (for normal sharpening) i use a large diamond stone, as the standard SP-250 grading stone is completely useless on the silicon carbide stone.
For this project i ran my SB-250 in a trough completely filled with a Windex clone to avoid glazing the surface during grinding & sharpening.

The knife is on a more or less permanent loan with a friend of mine who works as a process operator in a baby milk plant, where part of his job is cutting open huge plastic bags (with glued cardboard top layer and about the size of a small room) containing milk powder.
The wear & tear resistant plastic plus the industrial type of cardboard in those bags ruin edges in no-time, and so far this reground ZDP-189 Endura lasts the longest from all the knives used in the plant, also because of those serrations which enable him to get the job done when the plain edge part gets too dull.

#22

General Tormek Questions / Re: White Fluffy Mold On SG-25...

Last post by BPalv - February 08, 2026, 03:21:26 PM

Hi,

I seem to have some mold growing in and on the wheel, thinking I need to run a solution of hydrogen peroxide through the wheel to kill all of it.  Any idea whether this will harm the wheel?  Seems like a vitrified bond abrasive which should be chemically invincible I'd imagine.

I don't know the cause, but my wheel does the same.  Occasionally I don't use my SG for a couple weeks.  As it starts to dry it grows a little white fuzz.  It hasn't seem to make any difference.

#23

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife angle Setter KS 123,...

Last post by Jevans - February 08, 2026, 05:28:25 AM

Thanks guys,
Yes, Im thinking a touch of grease and maybe a slight adjustment to the screw will do the trick.

#24

Knife Sharpening / Re: Newbie question: chef kniv...

Last post by BPalv - February 08, 2026, 12:56:33 AM

Unlike yourself, I started with a belt grinder.  I use mine quite frequently for different needs when sharpening.  I have a 1x30 variable speed Rikon, but there are a ton of different units out there.  They can be pretty inexpensive and would quickly deal with that particular issue you're having.
If you're just sharpening your own knives it may be overkill , but you will find other uses as well.

#25

Knife Sharpening / Knife modification - Strider D...

Last post by kwakster - February 07, 2026, 06:06:34 PM

Strider DB in 3V steel.
This is a limited edition of the DB model in CPM-3V steel and made from thinner stock than the usual S30V versions.
Originally it looked like this:







The straight edge was reprofiled on a Wicked Edge sharpener to 30 degrees inclusive & polished up to 6 micron 3M diamond paste, while the slanted edge was done on a Tormek T7 to 45 degrees inclusive & polished up to 15 micron 3M diamond paste.
Both edges will treetop armhair, the straight edge will also whittle hair in some places.
Now this DB can and will cut, and it still can be used as a sharpened prybar in an emergency.











Some close-ups:







Difference between 15 micron and 6 micron;

#26

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife angle Setter KS 123,...

Last post by Ken S - February 07, 2026, 01:56:05 PM

The angle setter on my KS-123 was stiff. I loosened the screw ever so slightly, which solved the problem.

Ken

#27

General Tormek Questions / Re: Some Questions about my ne...

Last post by Ken S - February 07, 2026, 01:52:37 PM

Carl,

A tip given to me by support: When you install your new EZYlock shaft, put a thin coating of lithium grease on the face of the spacer washer facing away from your grinding wheel.  This should prevent the EZYlock from seizing.

The EZYlock shaft is a real upgrade. It will serve you well.

Keep us posted.

Ken

#28

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife angle Setter KS 123,...

Last post by Royale - February 07, 2026, 01:49:08 PM

I stripped my KS-123 down, cleaned it thoroughly, and just applied a wee bit of PTFE grease on the pivot area. So far after a few months of daily use, it's been pretty smooth.

#29

General Tormek Questions / Re: Some Questions about my ne...

Last post by carlhanger - February 07, 2026, 10:25:57 AM

After further analysis I noticed that the locking knob for the honing wheel also has a slightly excentric movement when turning. This made me conclude that the main shaft has to be bent. I ordered a new one and will report when it arrives.

#30

Knife Sharpening / Re: Knife angle Setter KS 123,...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - February 07, 2026, 07:13:31 AM

if I let go then reapply pressure to the holding points on the wheel.

I hold the three arms to the wheel as I adjust. I think that is how you are supposed to use it.