knife sharpening equipment?

[GaryM]

As I posted earlier, I've had one for several years and it does a bang up job. I bought it for my woodworking tools and as my shop is not yet put back together after our move, I mostly have been using it for kitchen knives. I'll be seeing Jeff at the woodworking show in St. Louis in February, so might be going home with some new attachments. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I also have a diamond Lansky and it works well also, just not as good as the Tormek. If all I had was kitchen and pocket knives, I don't think the Tormek is worth the money. But as soon as you add gouges, scrapers, chisels, screwdrivers, skews and all that stuff, It's well worthwhile.

That said, I still use a belt sander for lawnmower blades and garden tools like shovels and hoes!

 

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Me want Tormek! I watched the videos, and that thing is NICE! The way that knife sliced the paper when he was done sharpening it - woweee.

They need a marketing gimmick I think - how about an endorsement from O.J.? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif )</font>

Thought about him and also Lorena Bobbit /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Neither choice seemed that it would have the desired effect, but I bet Mr. Bobbit's reattachment surgeons would have preferred a cleaner cut! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Guess we'll have to stick with Norm as our only celebrity endorsement.

Sorry the crowd was too thick, Ron. Like I said before, holler when you're passing through Springfield.

 

[ronjhall]

Sure will look you up next time I'm through Springfield.
I do not know if it was Norm that made crowd gather around your demo. But whatever it is, don't change. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Been barley keeping up with TBN for the last month and find myself self posting about knives instead of the pictures I keep promising the PT guys - go figure! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Got way too busy for a while, then the week I was planning to get caught up with emails and things: icestorm=no power! We had a small generator, but couldn't trust the computer on it unless no appliances could kick in. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Anyway, back to sharpeners....

I have the same quandry, and perhaps worse. Earned college money many years ago workng at a packing plant over the summer.....I know and love a sharp knife, but despite no trouble steeling a sharp one, never could hold the angle right on stones!

As I think Billy pointed out, "razor sharp" dulls too quick for kitchen use unless you steel often (which I don't mind), but even then you need something to bring back a truely dull blade. That Tormek sure looks fine, but is spendy for the use I'd give it. The Chef's Choice at 1/4 the price and domestic (kind-of) would be tempting if I didn't think it would disappoint me. Do any of the guided stones or ceramics actaully work, or is there some learning curve or natural talent required there too? I have a handheld carbide "V" sharpener which somewhat overcomes my lack of talent; was great for the price, but still not the edge I like.

Also, I'm partial a packer's steel (smooth but for occasional tuning with fine abrasive cloth) over butcher's steels, but have yet to find a good quality packer's steel since working at the plant (should have "lost" mine, they would have gladly taken it out of my check for a new one). Anybody know where to find a good packer's steel (assuming I can find something to create a worthy edge in the first place)?

Incidently, the knife room at the packing plant had a very sophisticated motorized (diamond?) wheel system, but the "old-timers" at the plant sharpened their knives with a wheel about like the Tormek's on a motorized shaft and eyeballed an edge you wouldn't believe.

Thanks for any advice! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BillyP]

<font color="blue"> Anybody know where to find a good packer's steel (assuming I can find something to create a worthy edge in the first place)? </font>

Click here and look at the fifth one down. I've got an old butcher's steel that would pass as a packer's. It's at least 45 years old and worn slick.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

This month's Fine Woodworking has a pretty complete review of sharpening and the tools you can use to achieve good results. Pretty wide net they're spreading in the analysis.

Cliff

 

[Spiffy]

Thanks for the link Billy! I think that's the same site you referenced for your stone set, so no doubt they sell quality merchandise.

The smooth one they have may be about what I'm looking for. Can't quite read between the lines, but it may be chrome plated, so tuning it with emery cloth would be a bad thing. However, since I don't use it every day, perhaps it'd be nice not to keep it oiled! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

<font color="blue"> I've got an old butcher's steel that would pass as a packer's. It's at least 45 years old and worn slick. </font>

Nice! Nothing like finding a steel that treats you well; I won't offend wives or canine friends by calling it a true companion - but close. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Must ponder a bit more, but I sure appreciate the link! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[5030tinkerer]

I'm pretty sure my Tormek came from jeffinsgf's web site before I even knew about TBN. I have loved this tool and will never use anything else to sharpen my woodworking and household knifes. It is a few bucks, sure, but you'll never look back. Trust your instincts and get the whole accessory package. There are a lot of keys to successful sharpening, but having jigs that maintain a consistent angle for you cannot be understated. Being able to take off .001" off of a barely nicked planer blade cannot be beat.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Mmmm, two more piggys in the soup for a snooze. Into the smoker on Sunday /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif