What is the value of a 14 inch contact wheel? Does anyone use them?

[LARRYZ10]

Hi, I would like some opinions on 14 inch contact wheels. I use a 10 inch now for thinner knives with a heavy hollow grind where I don't want to burn through the blade in the middle of the hollow. I also like to grind the scales and the bolsters at the same time where they meet for a nice fit. I profile my blades on a 10 inch. I have used every wheel from 1/2 inch to ten but am trying to figure out if a 14 inch wheel will help me make even better knives. I would love your opinions especially if you have used one and even negative comments because the wheel is over $400 plus shipping. Thankyou, Larry Lehman, Bakersfield.

 

[fast14riot]

Well you can do taller hollow grinds on thinner stock. Its not really big enough to do true japanese style kitchen knives, but I would love a 3.5" blade of .100" thick stock ground on a 14" wheel, it would be a mean little slicer!

 

[OTK]

I'd like to have one but not for what they cost. I'll just flat grind a knife where I would have used the 14".