Guided system for light commercial sharpening?

[3D Anvil]

We really are in the same boat. I just got my Tormek and will spend some weeks learning it before I attempt to market my services. Admittedly, this is a back asswards way to start a business, but if I'm honest with myself .... I was eventually going to buy a Tormek anyway. Otherwise I would have done the market research first.

 

[scdub]

I’ve never used one but I’d definitely look into the worksharp powered models.

Also I would suggest you get yourself a 12”, oval cross-section, low grit diamond rod from Messermeister. Since you can freehand sharpen, imho this rod will do 90% of small reprofile/damaged edge work and it’ll be just about as fast as a belt grinder, etc. but with much more control and less chance to over-grind or overheat the edge.

Good luck!

 

[drail]

A lot of restuarants hire kids who have never used a sharp knife. Ever. I used to pack some Band aids in with the knives when I returned them and ask the managers to PLEASE WARN the employees about handling the knives. And many of them had to use the Band aids. It seems to me that most people have never used a sharp knife. I used to do knives for a nice lady who just LOVED having sharp knives in her restuarant's kitchen. She actually carried a produce knife in a sheath on her belt and she could whip it out and slice and dice like a machine. I really liked her and wouldn't let her pay me - but man she fed me some great chow every time I went in there. Once you get their knives sharp if you keep up with them they usually only need some quick touch up honing - IF they haven't been abused. I did a few restuarant's where I could sit at a table in the back and touch up their knives. All the chef's loved me. I got by for quite a while in my shop with a good set of Norton India stones and a belt sander for the really abused knives that basically had no edge left.

 

[docflash]

there was a BF thread about "paper wheels" saying that using 2 of that company's wheels on a bench grinder, one w/ silicone carbide, the other with rouge, would very quickly put on an excellent edge.
the wheels cost about $85 per pair, and came with some silicone carbide powder to recoat that wheel after applying some elmer's glue.

company is called "Razor Sharp Edgemaking System" but i have no other knowledge or experience. if it does work as described, it might be suitable for a part time gig, being (supposedly) "cheap, fast & good."