Sharpening knives, blades... with a Tormek!

[dragoneggs]

Not sure where this post belongs but I just purchased a Tormek T-8 sharpener and started sharpening my chisels and kitchen knives. Only done a half dozen tools so far but I am wondering why I didn't take the plunge a long time ago. Well, actually I am not. The Tormek system is dang expensive! :money:

It sure does a nice job and is much faster with more accuracy than I ever could do by hand and a flat stone. Looking forward to finally getting around to sharpen the vast array of tools I have neglected. Pretty ingenious design, especially the jigs. High quality too. I guess this sounds like an infomercial but wondering if anyone else has one and their thoughts/impressions.

 

[teejk]

I have an older version that I bought on E-bay years ago (still $$$$$)...I think I could do as well on knives with cheaper solutions. It is good for chisels and carving tools though.

 

[dragoneggs]

With respect to kitchen knives... I have been sharpening them for years with flat stones but that is a slower process and takes some skill to maintain a proper angle (flat stone). With the water cooled wheel and being able to use the same setup for both sharpening and honing really speeds things up and I think I am getting a better edge than by hand. The leather honing wheel is nice and fast too. I think I will hide my wife's Chef's Choice sharpener now that I have a far better tool.

What I really enjoyed today was taking a few dings out of couple chisels. These chisels have had the dings for quite some time because I didn't want to take the time on a flat stone (lazy) and didn't want to ruin the temper on my dry grinder (done that before). Being able to dress the Tormek stone, changing it from 220grit to 1000grit in seconds is wonderful. The blade edge automatically gets the same bevel at the finer grit. After using the 1000grit it was debatable whether I really needed to touch them up with the leather honing wheel.

Lord knows this is a luxury and he also knows not to tell my wife what it costs.

 

[Wagtail]

You 'just bought' yourself an, albeit excellent and expensive, piece of equipment less than a fortnight out from Christmas.

What are you expecting under the tree?

(or were you naughty this year... :santahat

 

[LD1]

Flat stone all the way for me. Followed by a polish with the backside of an old leather belt.

Never had any issues getting a quality knife to be able to shave hair off my forearm.

 

[forgeblast]

I have one its a great tool. Lets me put a hollow grind on my carving knives.

 

[Bird]

Good looking system, but way too expensive for my needs. Some years ago, I bought one of those Chef's Choice sharpeners and consider that to have been a waste of money. I do have a good bench grinder and a dye grinder if needed, but for the kitchen knives, it's the EZE LAP flat diamond stone.

 

[dmccarty]

You got me since I have never heard of that too before. Just looked it up on Amazon and one was $830! :shocked:

Yeah, you better not let your wifey find out how much you spent. It is winter and cold outside! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[dragoneggs]

Actually the wife and I agreed on no presents between us this year... and we would focus on the kids and grandkids. Instead we are hoping the two of us can get away to the south for a warm vacation in Jan/Feb as our present to each other. Of course, I will violate the pact and get her a piece of jewelry just in case I get caught!

One thing I see in my future is the drill sharpening jig. Maybe next xmas? I throw away drills and try to use them way past their useful sharpness. Would be nice to have the ability to sharpen them especially when my income drops and I can't be buying extravagant tools anymore.

 

[JRobyn]

I've been very happy with my Lansky. Actually 2 Lanskys, since I have mine with mostly diamond stones, plus I inherited my dad's. I only break it out about once a year for "deep reconditioning". In between, a quick brush on the Harbor Freight 4-sided diamond or a good steel keeps everything tuned.