Tormek

C

collioure

Joined
Jan 25, 2011
Messages
30
Hi All,

I looking for some feedback on my proposed purchase.

I am looking to buy Tormek T7 / T3. I have wicked edge sharpener with all the paddles but it takes too long and these days I just don't have the time. All I really sharpen is kitchen knives and some hunting knives.

I kind of sick of the wicked edge and want something faster...so I'm thinking of getting the T7 and a T3 with the Japanese water stone. You may ask why both..well I don't want to be changing the stone. My tought would be to the initial sharpening on the T7 then finish on the T3 with the waterstone then strop on the leather. maybe I could get just two T3...

Feedback much appreciated
 
I thought about the Tormek (no experience though) for the same reasons, but waterstones would be messy and the machine isn't cheap either. how about the worksharp ken onion edition (that's what I'm thinking of)...
 
They're quality machines but spendy. Grizzly makes a clone of it that takes all the same accessories. I own neither, but have the G1036 "Viking" wet grinder because it has better clearance for very long items like the scythe blades I use it for. Wet grinders are slow-turning so it's not really very messy.

I'd go with a Kalamazoo 1x42 belt sander instead for your purposes. Grinding on a wheel is an art in itself.
 
I actually understand your thinking on the 2 machines. Here's my .02 If your wanting to speed things up in your sharpening regime the Tormeks aren't the way to go. I gave mine away some time back. I could get exactly the edge I was after, but in on word, it was rather tedious. The fastest way I have found to get a really good edge is with a belt sander. I really got to the ultimate edges I was after when I added the leather stropping belt to my belts that I used. Just as an FYI, I bought the Ken Onion Worksharp, which is basically a small belt sander that uses 12" belts. I haven't found a leather belt for it yet, but Darex-the mfg.-is offering an attachment called the blade grinder attachment, which they offer a leather belt for. If I was looking for a quick, versatile sharpening method, I would look seriously at the KO Workshop.

Good luck with your choice.
 
+ 1 Agree with fish on this one.


I actually understand your thinking on the 2 machines. Here's my .02 If your wanting to speed things up in your sharpening regime the Tormeks aren't the way to go. I gave mine away some time back. I could get exactly the edge I was after, but in on word, it was rather tedious. The fastest way I have found to get a really good edge is with a belt sander. I really got to the ultimate edges I was after when I added the leather stropping belt to my belts that I used. Just as an FYI, I bought the Ken Onion Worksharp, which is basically a small belt sander that uses 12" belts. I haven't found a leather belt for it yet, but Darex-the mfg.-is offering an attachment called the blade grinder attachment, which they offer a leather belt for. If I was looking for a quick, versatile sharpening method, I would look seriously at the KO Workshop.

Good luck with your choice.
 
It seems i'm in the minority here, as i use a model T7 and i get rather good results with it.
Mine is equipped with an SB-250 Black Silicon stone, and i use it to reprofile & sharpen kitchen knives, tactical knives, hunting knives, scissors, and chisels.
It does grind much slower than a good belt grinder, but what it lacks in speed it more than makes up for it by grinding completely cold due to the water cooling.
(and it still is way faster than a WE or EP)
Especially for reprofiling where sometimes quite a lot of wear resistant steel needs to be removed this is an advantage.
The stone can be graded to coarse (about 220 grit) with the help of a diamond grader accessory, and i grade it to fine (about 1000 grit) with a double-sided diamond stone.
Most reprofiling is done freehand, but i also use various jigs, with which you can do things like the edges on this Strider GB in S30V steel:





This Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189 steel:



And my latest project, a Strider DB-L clone in full hard M2 high speed steel:







For day to day sharpening (when there's no need to remove lots of metal) you could also consider a set of Paper Wheels.
After a rather short learning curve you will be able to get excellent results, from kitchen knives to tactical folders & hunting knives.
Highly recommended.
 
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I have a tormek and a WE. Only use the tormek for things needing a jig. Paper wheels seem fast and get good results.
 
I have 2 and wouldn't trade them for anything. I do commercial
sharpening with the Tormeks, 1 grey wheel and one Japanese stone
and a set of paper wheels on a Baldor low speed buffer. The
combination is unbeatable as far as I'm concerned. The best part of the
Tormek is the large number of fixtures and jigs. They really work to
keep the uniformity of your edge.

I started sharpening about 50 years ago in Boy Scouts and have been
sharpening ever since.
 
tormek is way to slow for me, and after a few tries just to see if it was me or the machine, i gave up
 
OK after reading a lot of posts...I have ordered the Work Sharp Ken onion sharpener.....flippin getting fantastic reviews Not on sale in Europe yet and they won't deliver as US version is 110 volts and we are 240........however go it delivered my US office and getting posted over from there........ bought a converter aswell!!!!!!. So can't wait to get my hands on it...was getting sick of the WEPS and the lenght of time it was taking......should bve landing next Monday
 
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