Recent posts

#71

Knife Sharpening / Re: SVM-45 better to keep in f...

Last post by Ken S - June 14, 2025, 03:36:03 PM

I remember a long forgotten forum dialog I had with now long inactive member Ionut. Ionut and I were discussing alternative ways to hold very thick "pig sticker" mortising chisels. Ionut had been using the Tormek much longer than me.He finally tried using the predecessor of the SVM-45. The older clamping design could accommodate thicker chisels. As a woodworker, I wanted to acquire one for possible use. Ionut steered me toward Big Bear Tools, the agent for western Canada. They had one as "new old stock" which I purchased.

I suggest you look at the resellers list for your country on the Tormek website. Contact them to see if anyone has any SVM-45 jigs as "new old stock". Also, do check ebay.


Stay focused on your technique. More controlled, slower passes may save the day.
Good luck.

Ken

#72

Knife Sharpening / SVM-45 better to keep in flat ...

Last post by Mickrick - June 14, 2025, 12:06:54 PM

I have only ever had the newer KJ-45 for sharpening knives on my T-8 but am aware that the stop does seem to come away and rock a bit as I move the knife over the stone. I think this is probably poor technique on my part but Baz at iSharpen on Youtube seems to prefer the SVM-45 for the "thumb cup" to help push onto the USB and I wonder whether this would help with my technique and keep the jig flat on the USB.
Are there any SVM-45's still on sale anywhere or do I just need to keep an eye out for second-hand ones on Ebay?
TIA.

#73

General Tormek Questions / Re: Ultrasonic cleaner to remo...

Last post by tgbto - June 13, 2025, 04:51:00 PM

From personal experience, go for the largest capacity ultrasonic cleaner you can reasonably afford. I guarantee you'll be throwing a lot of other items in it once you've experienced what it can do.

* reads this while thinking this 15L USC might just be what he needs *

#74

General Tormek Questions / Re: Ultrasonic cleaner to remo...

Last post by Royale - June 13, 2025, 04:47:53 PM

"Wow, the scores you mention before using the USC are impressive. Like 80 without stropping. Thanks for the answers, and you got me wondering what a suitable USC would be and what it costs... I've been looking around and saw some 6 liters dual transducer 40kHZ cleaners around 250 EUR."

From personal experience, go for the largest capacity ultrasonic cleaner you can reasonably afford. I guarantee you'll be throwing a lot of other items in it once you've experienced what it can do.

#75

General Tormek Questions / The Tormek Story

Last post by Ken S - June 13, 2025, 07:33:20 AM

I was excited when The Tormek Story was rekeased. Having recently visited Tormek in Sweden, I had the pleasure of having met some of the people in the video. I had also become acquainted with several more through email correspondence. It was a delightful trip and one which raised my already high regard for Tormek and its employees. Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/wYaVdHSJGN8?si=Tkow2czto50WjwPV

My appreciation for this video increased when I learned how to translate the first part from Swedish to English using closed captions. That is easy to do. In the upper right corner of the screen, there is a "CC" button to enable closed captions.

The video traces the history of the Tormek concept and philosophy as well as the products. Most of us will not be fortunate enough to visit Tormek in person. This video provides a fine introduction to the proud heritage of Tormek. It also rekindles warm memories every time I watch it.

Enjoy!

Ken

#76

Knife Sharpening / Re: history of bronze age weap...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - June 13, 2025, 01:51:14 AM

When researching my introduction to abrasives there were references going back to at least the neolithic. In the late stone age people discovered that if they sharpen their stone tools they became more efficient. I watched a Time Team episode where they compared a flint napped axe with a similar flint axe sharpened and they found the sharpened axe much more efficient.

#77

Knife Sharpening / history of bronze age weapons ...

Last post by Ken S - June 12, 2025, 09:41:20 AM

We often read about or have to sharpen knives with chipped edges. This situation is far from new. It predates the use of iron and steel. This video talks about bronze age weapons and tools.

https://youtu.be/Wj6KwtGx6DE?si=tc_fqRxnD-BZJtFF

Ken

#78

General Tormek Questions / Re: Ultrasonic cleaner to remo...

Last post by tgbto - June 12, 2025, 08:31:05 AM

If that's not asking too much, do you think you could :
- Try this method after just SG grinding + leather wheel/PA 70 honing, and see how BESS scores are affected ?

Um, that's exactly what I did.
I was aiming for the best possible grind and hone i could do, and so for the first time ever I hones on the front jig holder and took extra care to adjust the angle in small increments to break off the burr as carefully as possible. I think that also will become standard practice in future for me.
I only use the standard leather wheel with the Tormek paste, but I'm keen to get another fresh wheel and try the Veritas Chromium oxide paste. This is what Dr Verdim recommends. 

Wow, the scores you mention before using the USC are impressive. Like 80 without stropping. Thanks for the answers, and you got me wondering what a suitable USC would be and what it costs... I've been looking around and saw some 6 liters dual transducer 40kHZ cleaners around 250 EUR.

#79

General Tormek Questions / Re: Ultrasonic cleaner to remo...

Last post by Ken S - June 12, 2025, 05:40:51 AM

Good thought, John.
Ken

#80

General Tormek Questions / Re: Ultrasonic cleaner to remo...

Last post by John Hancock Sr - June 12, 2025, 02:10:39 AM

when the Corning engineer's wife discovered that the glass designed for locomotive headlights also worked well for kitchen ware

The discovery of stainless steel in Sheffield England is also remarkable, the company is still there and locally making knives.