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#91
Knife Sharpening / Re: Advice needed on sharpenin...
Last post by Royale - October 28, 2025, 03:58:05 PMWhen I started my sharpening business, I would tell customers my sharpening plan, how I created it, and what I planned to achieve (approx. 200 BESS and lower, sharper than brand new)
The one thing I never anticipated was how almost all customers would gauge quality and sharpness through appearance, and nothing about how the geometry was created to match their usage. So the underlying question of my initial post was to get an idea what "standards" other people in this forum work towards.
I've had a recent customer complained that I had scratched up his knife. But when he was shown the initial photo he sent to me, he then realised I had actually removed majority of scratches, and lightened the deeper ones. His only feedback about a deba knife I had sharpened for him earlier? "My wife cut her finger" 🤔🤷🏻�♂️
Customer behaviour still remains a mystery for me.
The one thing I never anticipated was how almost all customers would gauge quality and sharpness through appearance, and nothing about how the geometry was created to match their usage. So the underlying question of my initial post was to get an idea what "standards" other people in this forum work towards.
I've had a recent customer complained that I had scratched up his knife. But when he was shown the initial photo he sent to me, he then realised I had actually removed majority of scratches, and lightened the deeper ones. His only feedback about a deba knife I had sharpened for him earlier? "My wife cut her finger" 🤔🤷🏻�♂️
Customer behaviour still remains a mystery for me.
#92
General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Leather wheel Compo...
Last post by Ken S - October 27, 2025, 01:54:59 PMOne consistent theme running through the Tormek videos, even going back to those by Jeff Farris, is that "a little dab will do you" with honing compound.
Perhaps the demo knives in the videos are somewhat sharper than usual. If we are maintaining our own knives, I think this is good practice. for those of us who sharpen for others, I hope we are educating our customers about the importance of good knife maintainence, including regular sharpening. I would compare that with regular oil changes in vehicles.
Ken
Perhaps the demo knives in the videos are somewhat sharper than usual. If we are maintaining our own knives, I think this is good practice. for those of us who sharpen for others, I hope we are educating our customers about the importance of good knife maintainence, including regular sharpening. I would compare that with regular oil changes in vehicles.
Ken
#93
Knife Sharpening / Re: Advice needed on sharpenin...
Last post by tgbto - October 27, 2025, 01:44:03 PMThough whether a polished edge means more tomato cutting time remains to be seen.
In my experience, but not substantiated by an extended study, edge retention expressed in terms of "how much vegetable cutting can I do before the knife feels dull" seems to be actually better when I don't use the SJ in between grinding on the SJ and honing on the leather wheel.
So will the knife seem sharper when polished ? Sure. Will it actually be sharper in terms of BESS scores ? Probably. Will it stay sharp longer than an unpolished edge, though ?
In my experience, but not substantiated by an extended study, edge retention expressed in terms of "how much vegetable cutting can I do before the knife feels dull" seems to be actually better when I don't use the SJ in between grinding on the SJ and honing on the leather wheel.
So will the knife seem sharper when polished ? Sure. Will it actually be sharper in terms of BESS scores ? Probably. Will it stay sharp longer than an unpolished edge, though ?
#94
Knife Sharpening / Re: Advice needed on sharpenin...
Last post by Tormek T-8 - October 27, 2025, 01:15:28 PMQuote from: Royale on September 13, 2025, 05:34:54 AMI still find it odd how my sharpening business really picked up after I got a bench polisher.
I really loved your comment which I have repeated above. Nothing says sharp like shiny?
It is nice to be appreciated, so I think it makes sense to do the polishing BECAUSE the feedback you get is received at the time of the transaction.
OTOH when the customer uses the knife at home/work you are no longer in the picture and any appreciation they may have for your efforts (and the price they paid) is removed from the point (pun not intended) of the transaction.
#95
General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Leather wheel Compo...
Last post by tgbto - October 27, 2025, 12:03:32 PMAlso the intent behind the videos is to demonstrate proper technique. There probably is still a burr on several of the knives/tools after their short honing, but the basics have been covered.
#96
General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Leather wheel Compo...
Last post by John Hancock Sr - October 26, 2025, 09:33:39 PMI suspect that the tools in the videos are close to sharp already. Also, sometimes we can sharpen way beyond the point of sharp enough. Not an issue just a preference
#97
General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Leather wheel Compo...
Last post by Tormek T-8 - October 26, 2025, 06:47:18 PMWaking up this older thread, in spite of warnings about doing so.
I don't use my T-8 very often. But when I do it takes me a long time to do everything (and anything).
However, I was unhappy about how much compound had accumulated on my leather wheel.
I used mineral oil and the back of a hunting knife to get the leather all cleaned up. It took a long time and a lot of old compound came off.
I would put a little mineral oil on two or three places on the leather and then use my finger to spread the oil to both sides of the wheel and around the entire circumference. It was kind of amazing how many times I had to repeat this before the wheel was free of the caked globs of compound.
Once that cleaning was done I use the honing compound sparingly, but I used the same finger to make sure the compound was spread to both sides and all the way around the wheel before I started to hone.
I also use diamond paste on the leather wheel after the Tormek compound in the yellow tube. Same routine with my proprietary finger tool.
I always feel like sharpening takes me a lot longer than what I have seen in the videos. But there is nothing like a plane iron or a chisel that is sharpened to a mirror finish.
Anyone else feel like the videos are misleading as to the amount of time needed to do the job?
I don't use my T-8 very often. But when I do it takes me a long time to do everything (and anything).
However, I was unhappy about how much compound had accumulated on my leather wheel.
I used mineral oil and the back of a hunting knife to get the leather all cleaned up. It took a long time and a lot of old compound came off.
I would put a little mineral oil on two or three places on the leather and then use my finger to spread the oil to both sides of the wheel and around the entire circumference. It was kind of amazing how many times I had to repeat this before the wheel was free of the caked globs of compound.
Once that cleaning was done I use the honing compound sparingly, but I used the same finger to make sure the compound was spread to both sides and all the way around the wheel before I started to hone.
I also use diamond paste on the leather wheel after the Tormek compound in the yellow tube. Same routine with my proprietary finger tool.
I always feel like sharpening takes me a lot longer than what I have seen in the videos. But there is nothing like a plane iron or a chisel that is sharpened to a mirror finish.
Anyone else feel like the videos are misleading as to the amount of time needed to do the job?
#98
General Tormek Questions / Re: Adjusting stones
Last post by John Hancock Sr - October 26, 2025, 02:57:48 AMTormek recommend the fine side of the grader to dress the SJ wheel.
https://youtu.be/FirTgeSWYcw?si=zAW84HYGsfTeA45k
https://youtu.be/FirTgeSWYcw?si=zAW84HYGsfTeA45k
#99
General Tormek Questions / Re: Adjusting stones
Last post by RichColvin - October 25, 2025, 08:49:39 PMQuote from: Herman Trivilino on October 25, 2025, 08:10:07 PMI love your by-line:Quote from: Marr on October 19, 2025, 07:33:38 PMAbout the adjusting stone, what difference is that from a regular dual grit wetstone?
The SG grindstone can be graded with the two-sided stone grader to either a coarse or find grit. That grindstone alone is sufficient, especially for a beginner. I wouldn't invest in the SJ grindstone unless for some reason I found the SG unsatisfactory.
I sharpen all kinds of hand tools, mower blades, and kitchen knives. Been doing it for 23 years and have never had the need for anything other than the SG grindstone.
In my opinion it just doesn't pay to get a tool or a knife any sharper than what I get with the combination of the SG and the leather honing wheel. Not for my needs, anyway.
"Knowledge isn't free, you have to pay attention." R.P. Feynman
#100
General Tormek Questions / Re: Adjusting stones
Last post by Herman Trivilino - October 25, 2025, 08:10:07 PMQuote from: Marr on October 19, 2025, 07:33:38 PMAbout the adjusting stone, what difference is that from a regular dual grit wetstone?
The SG grindstone can be graded with the two-sided stone grader to either a coarse or find grit. That grindstone alone is sufficient, especially for a beginner. I wouldn't invest in the SJ grindstone unless for some reason I found the SG unsatisfactory.
I sharpen all kinds of hand tools, mower blades, and kitchen knives. Been doing it for 23 years and have never had the need for anything other than the SG grindstone.
In my opinion it just doesn't pay to get a tool or a knife any sharper than what I get with the combination of the SG and the leather honing wheel. Not for my needs, anyway.