Recent posts

#41

Knife Sharpening / Honing wheels same diameter as...

Last post by Rossy66 - December 06, 2025, 04:20:02 PM

I was wondering if there is a honing wheel I could buy that is the same diameter as the T8 Diamond wheels?

The reason I ask is that I am new to the T8 system and my biggest problem is getting a honing angle that I am comfortable with. I have the KS 123 so I am able to change the height of the universal support fairly quickly but it would be nice to just remove the support over to the honing wheel and start honing straight away. Any other suggestions would be welcome.

#42

Knife Sharpening / Re: Did I make a mistake?

Last post by Rossy66 - December 05, 2025, 12:34:20 PM

thanks for the advice Royal, I went with the DF250 as my main wheel as I watched a bunch of videos and this seemed like a great overall wheel to give a great edge all around. Most videos and forums state that the honing side of the process is the key to getting the knife really sharp and so that is where I am more focused on right now. It's a big difference going from 500, 100, 500, and in some cases 12000 grit stones to the Tormek but after practicing on some cheap knives, I am starting to get a sense and feel of the knife on the wheel. The KS-123 is a god send and I am excited to use it on my Japanese knives when I get the skill and confidence to sharpen them.

Thanks to everybody who have contributed to this thread, It's a great community.

#43

General Tormek Questions / Re: Yet another use for the BG...

Last post by RickKrung - December 05, 2025, 01:22:11 AM

This is a bit of an old post, but I have just recently done something quite similar, using a Vevor 1x30 Belt Grinder.  These pictures only show the setup with the XB-100, the MB-120 and a USB, but it should be clear enough. 

I've tried using the platform pictured for freehand knife sharpening, both edge-trailing and edge-leading.  I've never liked free-hand and this is not much different.  Hard to keep the blade in position on the platform when in edge-trailing (the safer manner).  Not bad edge-leading.  The Vevor variable speed can bring the belt speed down to about 2/3 the surface speed of a 10" Tormek wheel, but I've been using it a good bit faster than that. 

Using a knife in a Tormek knife jig is much better, pretty much just like using one on a Tormek, edge-trailing (which I just about only do for honing). Edge-trailing, the belt keeps the knife/jig combo in position and the grinding motion/action is just like on a Tormek, except narrower working surface.  Have not tried it edge-leading, but I suspect it will have the same issue with holding position as does free-hand edge-trailing.  Maybe that is just a muscle memory thing that can be learned-away. 

I do not plan on abandoning my T8.  This belt grinder is intended to replace two other belt grinders and two bench grinders, at least as far a presence in my one-car garage shop is concerned.  Just not enough space for all that I had when in a two-car garage.  The belt grinder will live and play in the garage shop. The T8 lives and plays in the back bedroom, that I've turned into a workroom.  I do not want grinding dust from any belt or bench grinder in the workroom. 

Thought I'd check sharpness on the one knife done so far, in setup and testing.  Using only a 100 grit Cubitron belt (@15ºdps), honing on the T8 composite honing wheel at (+2º), finishing on a hanging leather strop:

BESS sharpness tester, grams of force:
After grinding, with burr:  650
After honing:                173
After leather strop:        113

#44

Knife Sharpening / Knife Point Setting Template -...

Last post by RickKrung - December 04, 2025, 09:52:07 PM

In summer this year we have discussed the importance of pivoting the knife when sharpening its point. See http://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=2562.15 At this occasion I have introduced prototype of my tool's entitled Knife Tip Point Setting Template.
...snip...

The template can be  downloaded/printed  from the following address:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xqwn5xuk0r07z5d/TEMPLATE_139MM.pdf?dl=1
 
Print the image at the actual original size and check that the projection length is really 139 mm.

Jan
...snip...

Responding to a post about this template, complaining that it doesn't work with the new knife jigs (KJ-'s), I created a modified template based on the shorter, fixed projection of the KJ jigs.  An image of it is posted below, as is the PDF file.  Both may require scaling when printing to get the dimensions accurate, but I really think it doesn't matter as the 120mm projection is the actual distance from the lips of the jaws to the fixed stop, so it is smaller than what is actually possible to use as a projection. 

Rick

#45

Knife Sharpening / Re: Is there still a wire burr...

Last post by tgbto - December 04, 2025, 03:38:30 PM

And how did you set up the "FVB" on the WSKO? Can you take a picture?

Sure, here's the topic with pictures

Do you mean the WSKO + Work Sharp Blade Grinder?

Yup !

#46

Knife Sharpening / Re: Did I make a mistake?

Last post by RichColvin - December 04, 2025, 03:10:36 PM

And they keep surprising me with damage never thought possible.

Old sergeants and shop teachers are always the best at summarizing such activities:

What did you shave with, private? A bowl of milk and an angry cat?

• Unknown Sergeant

I will give you an A+ in this class if you SWEAR to me that you will NEVER take this class again.

• Unknown Shop Teacher

#47

Knife Sharpening / Re: Is there still a wire burr...

Last post by Andy - December 04, 2025, 03:03:02 PM

How to maintain a 13.5 degree angle for honing? By hand?
Muscle memory?

I use the WSKO a lot, I even added a FVB so I can keep the shaft horizontal.

Still, even with this setup, it is IMO impossible to be precise within 1dps : the slack in the belt itself, even on the stiffest setting, lets the angle vary with the slightest change in pressure.

I also found the scale on the first generation to be quite approximate. But this can be corrected with an anglecube or the like.

You are right! I also have a hard time maintaining the exact angle on the WSKO. Impossible.
And how did you set up the "FVB" on the WSKO? Can you take a picture?
Do you mean the WSKO + Work Sharp Blade Grinder?

#48

Knife Sharpening / Re: MDF strop with diamond com...

Last post by kwakster - December 04, 2025, 02:48:02 PM

The diamond powder isn't used as a paste, instead it is glued to the rim of a Rubber or Paper Wheel.

Here's an example of how i use the diamond powder from Yuriy on a Rubber Wheel, in a later stage i also intend to coat one or two Paper Wheels with the diamond powder.
So far i've found the diamond powder to cut faster, cleaner, and also noticeably cooler than silicium carbide.

The knife is made by Ewout vd Gronden (E.A.G. Knives), a Dutch part-time knife maker who spends a lot of thought, time and effort into making about two knives a month.
For steels he likes to use D2 and N690Co which he hardens himself with very good results (i've tested a few of them in the field and provided him with feedback)
After he finishes a knife he sends it to me to give it the final edge.
He also lets me know his wishes regarding edge angle & edge finish, and i go to work.

This is one of his larger field grade knives i did recently, and the picture was taken by the maker before i put on the edge.
Steel is N690Co, blade is 18 cm long, and the handle is canvas Micarta.



These are pics taken by me with it's new edge, in this case a pre-specified and almost exact 35 degrees inclusive.
Bevels were ground with the Rubber Wheel coated with 230 grit diamond powder, after which i only removed the tiny burr with a Paper Wheel coated with 1 micron diamond compound.
This provides for a strong edge that is literally treetopping sharp along it's entire length, and still has a lot of bite.
Some of the pics make it seem like there are different facets in the bevels, but that is just the light playing tricks.

#49

Knife Sharpening / Re: Is there still a wire burr...

Last post by tgbto - December 04, 2025, 02:43:33 PM

How to maintain a 13.5 degree angle for honing? By hand?
Muscle memory?

I use the WSKO a lot, I even added a FVB so I can keep the shaft horizontal.

Still, even with this setup, it is IMO impossible to be precise within 1dps : the slack in the belt itself, even on the stiffest setting, lets the angle vary with the slightest change in pressure.

I also found the scale on the first generation to be quite approximate. But this can be corrected with an anglecube or the like.

#50

Knife Sharpening / Re: Is there still a wire burr...

Last post by Andy - December 04, 2025, 02:33:23 PM

How to maintain a 13.5 degree angle for honing? By hand?
Muscle memory?