Tormek T-4 – Compact Water Cooled Sharpening System for Edge Tools – US Version – English Handbook

It seems every spare bit of bench and shelf space in my shop holds some sort of sharpening system, stone or device. These range from an 8" grinder, to small belt sanders equipped with leather stropping belts, all the way down to diamond wet stones and Arkansas hard stones. I am, a sharpening junkie. I think a garage sale is in order though, because I've put my new Tormek T4 through its paces over the last month, and I have found my system at last!The scary sharp edges that I achieved were so impressive that I resharpened every edge tool in my shop. The Tormek system is well thought out and the components are of very high quality. Here are a few notes based on my experience:1. The customer support is excellent, but you must register your tool using the serial number on the bottom. My T4 arrived without the SP-650 Stone Grader that was supposed to be included. As a registered owner, I emailed the company in Sweden. Within 24 hours, a representative of the US distributor in the Midwest replied, requesting my shipping information. I had the stone within 48 hours- a total of three days after I unpacked my Tormek. Excellent!2. Based on customer reviews, i purchased three accessories to meet my sharpening needs: the SE-77 Square Edge Jig (absolutely needed for plane irons, chisels, etc.), the SVS-38 Short Tool Jig (for my carving gouges, etc.) and the LA-120 Profiled Honing Wheels (again for the carving tools.). These all met or exceeded my expectations.3. Most important is that you watch the entire DVD that is included before you do anything else, otherwise you might wonder about the lack of set up instructions, like I did.4. The T4 also comes with a detailed booklet on how the many accessories function.5. You will need to keep your Tormek out of freezing spaces. The stone absorbs water and can potentially crack if it freezes.6. The stone does not grind as quickly as you might be used to with a conventional grinder, but once you re profile your tool edges, a quick honing on the leather wheel will get them scary sharp once more.The system is expensive, which is what kept me away for quite a while. What I did was to ask for Amazon gift cards at every gift giving occasion for Christmas, my Birthday and Father's day. I saved them all, and now I have my Tormek! I plan to add a knife sharpening jig and a jig for woodturning tools next.

I hesitated to buy this because it is an expensive tool, but I finally had enough of dull chisels and plane blades and bit the bullet with this sharpener. I've only had it for a couple of days, but here's my initial impression.First, it is really heavy duty. It feels far more like an industrial machine than some of the other cheaper sharpening options you'll find. It's hefty -- not as heavy as say... a Kitchen-aid mixer, but it feels like it probably has the same kind of durability.Next, it is really fast. I was amazed by how quickly it creates a consistent, razor-sharp edge. I've spent countless hours sharpening plane blades and chisels, and I wish I had bought this earlier. In just a few minutes, you can create a consistent edge that I've never been able to achieve with hand sharpening.While this is expensive, I am very impressed with it, and I think it's money well spent. I'm really looking forward to cleaning up some of those dovetails.One thing-- it is extremely important to buy the appropriate (additional) jig to use with it. The T-4 machine doesn't come with any jigs whatsoever. I can't stand it when companies do that -- but I understand in this case why it's not included in the box -- there are a lot of options for jigs depending on what kind of tools you'll be sharpening. (In the case of chisels and plane blades, you'll need the Square Edge Jig.) I can't imagine being able to use this sharpener without a jig, so plan accordingly.

I love this thing!! I am retired Marine so I know about how keeping a edge is very important. This machine does it in seconds with accuracy and its fan-freaking-tastic! If all you need is something to sharpen a few knives then get the Lansky sharpner, its the best hand sharpening system. If you need to put a whole new edge angle on a knife and want to keep it razor sharp, then this is your guy. No sparks, no dust and the wheel turns slow so its not only easy to control you can do detailed work with it without it jumping all around. I love you can measure what angle you want on a knife. Most pocket knives are probably a 30-35 degree edge, pretty sharp but durable. I like 22.5 as I found its a good balance, although I need to touch it up more often to keep it cutting nice. I can do surgery with my knives though. I wish the honing leather gear was a bit bigger as its kinda a chore trying to maneuver a large knife in-between the two wheels, but it works. Love the water cooled, keeps the blade tempered and my hands unblistered. This is by far the longest review I've ever written and that is because this thing is awesome. I like how when you open the box one of the first things that is in it is a band aid. Very fitting considering what this thing can do. LOVE IT!!

Its the best option for quickly sharpening plane blades, chisels, knives, and axes. I'm only going to list the negatives, but thats because the positives are well know. Let me be clear, I am happy with the purchase; however...1. The metallic plate which the blade angle measuring tool magnetically adheres to is glued to the tormek. It arrived with this plate detached (glue melted).2. The leather strop wheel leather feels like it had been sitting in a desert for a year. It is very dry and took way more work than I would like to make supple.Great build quality on everything else and works very well , its just irritating when you spend $1000 on a product, jigs, compound, etc and it arrives with a component fallen off during shipping that could have been bolted on instead of glued.