Been looking at the Tormek T8 type units. I'd love to have the T8 but not willing to pay that price for the limited amount of use I'd get out of it.
I've seen some decent reviews on the Wen that can be had from Home Depot.
Does anyone have any practical experience with the Wen? For about $250 all in it looks like one could have a pretty nice set up.

I have wanted the Tormex T8 for years but could never pull the trigger to buy one. The less expensive copies look appealing.
I will follow your post with great interest.

I can’t comment on Wen, but can tell you that the Tormek is fantastic

I have the Tormek T1. Works really well for my pocket knife and an assortment of rather high end kitchen knives.

I'm fascinated at the tormek I've seen used by one channel. He uses a dressing stone to set the grit of the tormek wheel usually rougher to start then uses a smoother dressing stone for the finishing touches. I'm figuring he would save a lot more of the tormek wheel by just dressing as needed to the smoother grit. The downside maybe is he would spend a little more time when first sharpening.

Well, I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Wen and several accessories. Going to be closer to $325 all in but I think it will be everything I'll need.
I'll post my impressions once I have it up and running. Given the delivery date and my schedule it might be 10 days or so before that can happen.

Anxiously waiting for your report.

A guy comes through tiny town every ten days or so and sharpens all kinds of stuff, he uses either stones or sanding belts,

The forum costs me money again .... this thread put me over the edge...I've been eyeing a Tormek for a while. Ordered a T-8 with hand tool bundle, extended arm, angle tool today

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
The forum costs me money again .... this thread put me over the edge...I've been eyeing a Tormek for a while. Ordered a T-8 with hand tool bundle, extended arm, angle tool today

The stone wheel works fine, but I’ve really started to prefer the diamond wheels. They stay absolutely flat and the extra fine leaves a finish that barely needs a touch on the leather or composite wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
The forum costs me money again .... this thread put me over the edge...I've been eyeing a Tormek for a while. Ordered a T-8 with hand tool bundle, extended arm, angle tool today

The stone wheel works fine, but I’ve really started to prefer the diamond wheels. They stay absolutely flat and the extra fine leaves a finish that barely needs a touch on the leather or composite wheel.

Yeah, the diamond wheel videos I've seen makes them look very desireable. But, dang they are pricey.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
The forum costs me money again .... this thread put me over the edge...I've been eyeing a Tormek for a while. Ordered a T-8 with hand tool bundle, extended arm, angle tool today

The stone wheel works fine, but I’ve really started to prefer the diamond wheels. They stay absolutely flat and the extra fine leaves a finish that barely needs a touch on the leather or composite wheel.

Yeah, the diamond wheel videos I've seen makes them look very desireable. But, dang they are pricey.

I’m sure I’ll end up with an expanded wheel collection but will use the stock one until I feel my proficiency is where it needs to be on lesser and mid quality knives. Between myself, family and friends we have everything from IKEA to Damascus Japanese cutlery.

Dang it. I have one pocket knife that gets sharpened infrequently yet because of this thread I now want a Tormek 8. Darn you to heck, SIGforum!

In all seriousness, after reading about the Tormek wheel sharpeners I'm sold on them.

Where did you buy your Tormek and wheels?

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Where did you buy your Tormek and wheels?

I ordered my setup from Sharpening Supplies in WI

I considered an amazon order, but figured be better to have the support of a storefront if anything happened in shipping, but also after sale

^^^^^

That’s where I got mine.

I'm happy with my Ken Onion Worksharp that Sig Forum (Shugart was the ringleader ) persuaded me to buy a few years back. Is a wheel better?

^^^^

Depends on what you are sharpening. For a pocket knife, either is fine. The belt type sharpeners are going to give you a convex grind where the wheel gives a hollow grind. If you are sharpening higher quality kitchen knives, chisels, etc., the wheel allows far greater precision

I also like the fact that the wheel is water soaked keeping the heat down on the edge.
As I researched, I noticed that the wheel system was the choice of those who sharpen as a business/commercial operation.

Finally have everything in hand. The Wen wheel that came with it appears to be pretty true. But I'm going to run the truing tool over it to start with a perfect setup. Earliest that will happen is probably Friday. So far I am impressed with the overall quality of the Wen setup for the price.

Got a chance to get the Wen system up and running today. Started by using the Tormek truing tool to get the wheel absolutely true. That worked well and was easy to do.
Then dressed the wheel with the course side of the stone that came with the Wen jig set.
Next I put a test knife in the jig and set the angle to 20 degrees. A Hampton Santoku that I had picked up for a dollar at good will that was extremely dull.
Made several passes alternating sides. Then redressed the stone with the fine side of the Wen stone and made several more passes on each side of the knife.
Put some compound on the stropping wheel and made several more passes on each side.
I was very happy with the end results. Knife now passes the paper test.
Not quite as sharp as my new Wusthof but close. Once I get a little more experience with the angle setting process and using the jigs I expect excellent results.
Very impressed with the overall quality of the unit for the money. Would definitely recommend and would buy again.