other types of sharpening devices

B

Belly

Gold Member
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May 21, 2000
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207
When it comes to sharpening knives, it seems that most people use a Sharpmaker, freehand stones or diamond stones, or some version of an Edge Pro like device. How come I don’t see much about bench grinders or specialized bench grinders such as the Tormek or Jet wet sharpeners? Aside from price, it there a specific reason why these do not seem to be used? Since you sharpen and then hone with paper or leather wheel, it seems like those types of devices are ideal. Even if you spent $90 on a DeWalt bench grinder and get a few wheels, that type of device seems like it would be more popular.

Thanks for your comments.
 
I have seen many, many knives wrecked by the use of a bench grinder. Even knife makers don't usually use a bench grinder for sharpening. What I use is a bench top belt sander. This provides a flat or often slightly convex edge bevel that is better than the way that a small diameter grinding wheel gouges into your blade. When you use a belt sander you get to switch between a large variety of grit sizes and materials. I have a collection that runs from 40 grit for sharpening shovels down to 600 grit for finishing kitchen knives. The length of the belts seems to spread out the heating effect of grinding the edge and reduces the tendency to overheat the edge (and kill the blade's temper). The Tormek is awfully bulky and expensive and doesn't seem to offer a significant advantage over a cheap belt sander. It also doesn't allow you to switch between grits.

Except for shovels I never finish my sharpening with power tools. My concern is that the high stresses caused by power tools will weaken the thin edge of the blades and cause them to break down prematurely. Power contoured edges may be sharp initially but they won't be as robust. I always put in at least 30 seconds of hand honing on edges that I create with the belt sander. I do this even when I am sharpening 50 knives in an evening for the local soup kitchen.
 
I have a Tormek with a 4000 grit Japanese water stone and the leather strop wheel.

It is incredible. I can put a push cut edge on any knife by hand in a few minutes time.

I bought a bunch of jigs which significantly added to the cost and have not used them.

The slow speed and water make it almost impossible to make a mistake.

The leather wheel not only puts the perfect edge on a knife but also polishes the edge.

Jeff's above comment about bench grinders is true. But most are high speed dry grinders that truly can ruin a knife in seconds. The Tormek is completely different.
 
belly, stevebot, a member here sells the paper wheels to members here at a discount. there are a few threads already about paper wheels. i also have 3 short videos that show how fast you can work up a burr on a knife plus how you hold the knife to the abrasive wheel. if you are careful you can use power equipment like a grinder with these wheels to sharpen your knife. i feel that anyone who says different is either not able to sharpen on this type of equipment or has never even tried. i have been sharpening knives for almost half my life and for the past 16 years i have used the cardboard wheels. here is a link to stevebot's website.
http://users.ameritech.net/knives/index.htm
 
I'll use my 1x30 belt sander to rough the origional cutting edge. Then I'll use my buffer to "power hone" the cutting edge to hair popping sharpness.

I also use a modified ceramic tile as a sharpening stone to maintain the edge.

Jim L.
 
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