Tormek

C

Captain Ron

Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
113
Have anyone used one of these machine to sharpen knives I have done a search but have not come up with anyone really using one on knives.Can anyone comment on them? :confused:
 
They work. Their only drawback is cost. We have put them into a catalog and would not have done so if they did not do a good job. Only of value if you have lots and lots of knives or tools to sharpen.

A. G.
 
My bro-in-law has one and I like it, but I guess that’s because I didn't pay for it. Like stated above it's a little pricey (sp?). I think he paid something like $350/400 for the kit that included 5 or 6 jigs/clamps/what ever they are called, and with them it will sharpen just about anything. But just to make sure you are totally aware, it is designed for wood working tools and not knives. More on that below.

I was a little skeptical about the one stone being able to be both coarse and fine, but it works. I also like the ability to find the existing edge angle of a knife before you start or just set it to what you want it to be.

It’s great for doing a bunch of kitchen knives. You can do a 10” butcher knife in about 10 minutes. Knives that I never would have taken the time to even try I have done on the Tormek.

The only thing is that it really isn’t setup to do a small pocketknife or even something like a filet knife. The biggest problem is the clamp that you use can’t really get a grip on a skinny blade. I’ve had problems with a set of Steak Knives that I tried and a couple of pocket knives. They were just too skinny from the back of the blade to the sharp edge to grab and not be grinding on the clamp rather than the blade. But I have done as small as a 3" blade with out problems, it really depends on the blade shape and if the clamp will grab it and still give you enough room to work.

Also it can’t do is something over 16” (I think) without a special adapter (and then into the low 20’s). So don’t buy it to sharpen a sword/machete.
 
It will do all of those things but you have to learn to use it free hand. A kitchen knife should not take more than two minutes once you have learned how to use it.

A. G.
 
Ten minutes would include reprofiling of the blade, then the actual sharpening and a final buffing. I don't see how, even free hand it could be done in two minutes, nicely.

And actually how does free hand buy any time? It takes all of 10 seconds to attach the clamp and another 15 to adjust the angle guide and then it’s back and forth in what could only be described as the motion that would be used free hand. And unfortunately, in my experience it takes longer than two minutes to sharpen a knife. Although the stone can be used to take material off, it’s kind of like the Spydeco ceramic stones. Not really aggressive and they take some time. No matter how hard you press, it takes time.

If all you want is a free hand wheel go and buy a grinder and put a couple of different grit stones on it, or a belt sander is what most of the makers use and it would be a real dual purpose machine and probalby save you a couple of bucks. But you won't find a better stone for finishing or you won't find a grinder or sander that runs at the low RPM's as the Tormex. The Tormex is made specifically with an angle guide and jigs to make sure that the edge is perfect to what ever angel you want it at. If you want to be a purist and go free hand this is not the machine to buy. Go and get a couple of good bench stones and have fun.
 
I really appreciatge your advice. I am a novice and have only been sharpening knives for 65 years. It is very nice of you to let me know how to go about it.

A. G.
 
Gee, wouldn't want you to take it personal and all. I thought the original question was on opinions on the Tormek and if someone has used it for sharpening knives. But I am glad that for your 65 yrs you have chosen to “put them into a catalog” as you said. I would wonder how many of those years you have actually used the product in question yourself? I have used it for the last 3 yrs (along with about 5 other methods that go back over 30yrs of personal experience) and do have some actual knowledge on the actual question.
 
logan5,
Yes, the original request was for comments from those with actual experience with the Tormek and the opinions you expressed based on your experience with it are appropriate and well taken. However, your aggressive assertion of the superiority of your opinion is not so well taken.

All things considered I have to tell you that I am much more inclined to accept A.G. Russell's opinion on this than yours based on proven experience, his proven credentials and the long standing respect that he has earned in this field.

My opinion is that you are not going to win a lot of bets or friends trying to tell the assembled multitude that A.G. Russell doesn't know what he is talking about.

edited to add:

If you ask nicely he might send you one of his catalogs.
 
WrayH, what are A.G.'s opinions? He hasn't said one constructive observation about the Tormek. So how am I “aggressive assertion of the superiority of your opinion”? All I have done is state some facts about the product in question and point out that that was the original question. When he diverged from the subject in to his opinion on sharpening methods I tried to restate the benefits of the system and to bring up the fact that Capitan Ron wasn’t really asking about what different methods there are available. Maybe (OK probably) I didn’t say it in the most appropriate tone. But, that being said, I stand by what I have posted as facts that I have personally observed.

I agree with A.G. that to be able to sharpen a knife free hand is an admirable and knobble quest. But maybe something that is not going to be fore everyone. I was going off the assumption that Capitan Ron had tried free hand sharpening (who hasn’t) and for whatever reason he chose to look at the Tormek and wanted real life usage on how it performed.
 
A.G., I've considered getting a Tormek in the past, but I get into confusion with all the accessories. What do you recommend as the optimum setup for knife sharpening?

Thanks...
 
my father is a serious woodworker and has one ... it is quite a machine and fun to use. there is also an accessory wheel to buff with that may be worthwhile ... not sure if it is with the basic machine or an add on though.

i have little experience sharpening knives with it although it works great on chisels!!
 
Now I know that I probably shouldn’t, but I can’t resist.

If you buy “The basic machine” as suggested, you will have all that you need to sharpen a chisel and little else. For a knife what you might want to consider is the Handyman package. It has more than the one jig the basic machine comes with and might, in the real world be of more use to someone that wants to use the machine for sharpening knives. But that said, you can buy the basic and add only the jigs that you want.

And A.G. if you have anything useful to add, why not post it here in a public forum so that all might learn from your personal experiences.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top