Tormek or some other knife sharpner?

[LSU]

I'm shopping for a serious knife sharpening system. I've used the various knife sharpner brands but I've been looking a Tormek system.

Comments? Suggestions?

I've used the stone method etc. but I just can't get the knives as sharp as I would like.

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

I would guess that your problem is with your knives, your technique, or the stones that you are using. I have used a Tormek quite a bit, and while it's fast, it won't get my knives or chisels any sharper than my waterstones. I have more control with my waterstones than by using a machine.

I also have a 1 X 42 belt sander with very fine belts and a leather strop. Again this is fast, but no better than by hand.

For my chisels at work I use micro abrasives glued or PSA to flat pieces of solid surface scraps. This method also works for knives, but you might need to raise the solid surface up to avoid interference with the handles.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I have the Delta sharpening system and I really like it. I use it for planer knives mostly, and chisels. It is the more expensive of the two models Delta offers (can't remember model #). I found the Tormek to be very nice when I looked but the attachements were so high priced that you could easily spend 750-1000 bucks to do all the types of edges in a woodworking shop. The attachments for Delta were much more reasonable.

 

[IndyGarage]

Well, probably not worth of the title "serious knife sharpener", I recently bought a Work Sharp and it does sharpen knives pretty well and really fast.

And it costs $69...

 

[scarrylarry]

I would guess that your problem is with your knives, your technique, or the stones that you are using. I have used a Tormek quite a bit, and while it's fast, it won't get my knives or chisels any sharper than my waterstones. I have more control with my waterstones than by using a machine.

I also have a 1 X 42 belt sander with very fine belts and a leather strop. Again this is fast, but no better than by hand.

For my chisels at work I use micro abrasives glued or PSA to flat pieces of solid surface scraps. This method also works for knives, but you might need to raise the solid surface up to avoid interference with the handles.

I have the Delta sharpening system and I really like it. I use it for planer knives mostly, and chisels. It is the more expensive of the two models Delta offers (can't remember model #). I found the Tormek to be very nice when I looked but the attachements were so high priced that you could easily spend 750-1000 bucks to do all the types of edges in a woodworking shop. The attachments for Delta were much more reasonable.

I agree fully with the above comments made by the two members.
I considered a Tormek at one time also but GEEEZZZZ figure in all those attachments that's a heck of a price.I was a butcher by trade and I am familiar with knife sharpening,actually have considered sharpening knives as a side buis..I have a belt grinder from Lee Valley Tools (look it up online)that has plenty of options for belts use that machine for heavy to medium metal removal and finish off on good waterstones(Lee Valley Tools).I dislike oilstones too messy.
scarrylarry

 

[turbowoodworker]

Sorry I misread the OP that you were looking for a knife sharpener. If that is all you are doing then stones or diamond plate works well and will cost 1/5 the Tormek. I answered earlier thinking you wanted a full service machine as that is what the Tormek is designed for (planer, chisels hand planes jointer blades).

 

[Hlidskjalf]

I hear a lot of good things about the edge pro apex knife sharpening system. There are a few videos on the website.

http://www.edgeproinc.com/

Pricy, but looks like something worth investing in if you're not a pro knife sharpener and want a fine edge.

 

[dandan111]

Not familiar with tormek but I have seen some nice tools for sharpening on the Grizzly tools web site. Never bought anything from the but have heard good things.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have a system by Lansky that I really like. it's about the same as an apex edge pro. Spyderco sharp maker is one of the best I hear

 

[Greg_R]

I'm shopping for a serious knife sharpening system. I've used the various knife sharpner brands but I've been looking a Tormek system.

Comments? Suggestions?

I've used the stone method etc. but I just can't get the knives as sharp as I would like.

I have a Tormek, a grinder, various water stones, some diamond stones, diamond pastes, and a scary sharp system (sandpaper on glass). I can tell you that there are no magic sharpening systems that will give you a perfect edge every time. It takes practice to develop your technique, regardless of the system. There is certainly some benefit to buying the appropriate sharpening media based on the steel you're trying to sharpen. This is independent from the system you use.

If you've got some decent stones and they are not performing then running out and buying a Tormek is not going to solve your problems. IMO, spend some time and post some videos of you trying to sharpen on the stones. Hopefully you can get some valuable feedback on how to correct your technique.

My Tormek is fine for chisels and plane blades. I prefer water stones followed by diamond paste stropping for my knives.

The easiest knife sharpener is (IMO) the Lansky kit... it maintains an exact angle (plus it's pretty cheap). The Spyderco sharpmaker also makes it fairly easy to maintain the angle.

 

[toms73novass]

Well, probably not worth of the title "serious knife sharpener", I recently bought a Work Sharp and it does sharpen knives pretty well and really fast.

And it costs $69...

Me too and I LOVE it!

 

[Grigg]

I hear a lot of good things about the edge pro apex knife sharpening system. There are a few videos on the website.

http://www.edgeproinc.com/

Pricy, but looks like something worth investing in if you're not a pro knife sharpener and want a fine edge.

I like the looks of that too, and from my research seems to be the best option except for price.

I have and used to use both Lansky and the DMT "copy", they're decent, Lansky has better holder, DMT better stones. You can mix and match, or glue DMT stones to Lansky holders, just buy a kit with cheap stones and knock them off, epoxy DMT in place.

Here's what I use these days


Made it myself, cost about $3 and some scrap material, the DMT stones are 10 or $12 each. It is fast, accurate, repeatable, and does a superb job, better than anything else I've tried and I've done a whole lot of sharpening.
It's much like the Edgepro and I think will use the same stones, or could be made to. I use DMT so far.

Grigg

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

Ah, those Ken Onion knives are PITA to sharpen with the concave bellies...

 

[LSU]

Thanks. I'll have a look at the suggestions.

 

[otis66]

This is the shapener kit I want.
http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index....ategory_id=72&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=93

 

[toolfanatic]

I have a Tormek grinder which I picked up pretty cheap secondhand from a guy who didn't use it much. I doubt I would have bought it at full retail price. It's a great grinder system but don't believe all the hype-it's not a one-stop-shop. I use it in conjunction with a regular cheapy 6" bench grinder and a collection of Norton oil stones and some Japanese waterstones for all my sharpening and shaping. I use it mostly for sharpening and rehabbing wood working tools.

 

[Grigg]

I use a Tormek for grinding the bevel on large wood chisels, works very well and fast. I'd guess it can do a lot more but that's all I ever use it for. Excellent for shaping then go to your stones for the final edge, sure wouldn't call a Tormek a complete system.
I never use the buffing side because to me perfectly sharp is two flat planes meeting at an angle, flat stones give you the plane. Buffing is not the answer as it rounds the edge, yes it may feel sharp but not the same quality edge.


For knives any/all of the above mentioned systems where you clamp or hold the knife stationary and move the stones with a guide rod work really well.

Lansky is cheap and very effective.
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Lansky-C57.aspx?gclid=CI3g_-G807ICFQJp4AodKWYAIQ
DMT as well, but the aluminum Lansky clamp is a lot better than the plastic DMT, you can mix and match.
http://www.dmtsharp.com/news-events...ns-to-aligner-guided-knife-sharpening-system/
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/DMT-Deluxe-Aligner-P2C24.aspx

Probably 10 years ago, back before Lansky offered a diamond system and before DMT made their version I made my own with parts from both.


Again I think the Edgepro is the best option, at least the design is... price not so great.

Grigg