Which sharpening system is best for a beginner

[mszymanski25]

Howdy all, I am looking to order a sharpening system to help keep my tools "scary" sharp. I have basically narrowed it down to 2 units, based mostly on cost. I.E. the $400 Burke system is out of the question at this time.

The first is the Ultimate power sharpener, from chipping away. This seems to be a popular unit. In peoples videos/pics I've seen it many times. Seems to get the job done as well as any other unit out there.

The second is the Tomz Knife Massager. I have seen the you tube videos on this one, and it seems like a nice unit as well, with as much versatility as any other unit. Spins at a much lower speed, which I think would be good for a novice sharpener.

My main question is, which unit would be safer for a novice to learn on, and is there one function or another that one unit does well or does not easily lend itself to. Being a novice sharpener, I think I will be learning with either unit, so as far as preference I think I will develop techniques for which ever is purchased. Any input would be appreciated.

[Neil A. Ward]

I bought the Lee Valley version of the Ultimate power sharpener several years ago: user supplies the motor. I paid $54.00 with two sanding belts, also leather honing belt and free shipping. It now sells for $89.00 including one sanding belt and free shipping. I like it very much; my carving tools are now sharper.

If I were buying a power sharpener today, I would get the Tomz: sandpaper version. I recommended the original version of Tom Ellis' Tomz to a member of my carving club: she and her husband are very pleased with it.

Having recently nicked the leather belt on my sharpener while honing a 3/4" wide number 3 gouge: the Tomz is by far the safer tool for the novice or more experienced carver. A replacement 42” leather belt was $20.00, made by a local shop. The splice joint was not as smooth as the OEM Surgi-Sharp belt. I should have ordered a Surgi-Sharp belt: tried to save the shipping costs by buying locally.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have the dual head Tomz, I love the machine and highly recommend it! Great machine at a great price! Tom is a pleasure to do business with!

Dave

[Tom-H]

I recently purchased a Tomz system. Mine has one wheel, but I can use any number of wheels merely by changing them out. This system is by far the savest system out there. Save for the metal blade as well as the operator. The 34 RPM is adequate for shaping, sharpening, and honeing.....

Tom H

[Robson Valley]

Without the correct (most useful) bevel angles, none of it matters. I sharpen by hand as I am still concerned that I'm going to go too far, too fast, with a machine. But, like anything else, there's a right way to do it, by hand or by machine. 1k and 4k waterstones and honing.

When I "cleaned up" a very expensive set of big Sorbey lathe tools, some were so badly shaped/ground, I really did wonder if it wasn't time to get a machine. I had to start with coarse oil stones.
I have a General Machine tool for measuring bevel angles. That's the place to start without knowing in advance what the bevel angle is. Interesting, did you know that the Sorbeys vary from one tool shape to the next?

[Eddy-Smiles]

For a beginner??? One sheet each of 400 grit, 600 grit, 1000 grit, 1500 grit, and 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and an extremely flat piece of ceramic tile or glass. It may take a beginner twice as long to sharpen his tools but it will also take him twice as long to screw them up.

[luscher]

a knife massager ? ''my knife holds tension in it's tang'' but seriously - have you considered doing the conversion yourself ? after checking on this oddly named device, i was surprised to see the foundation

you could save a good deal by doing it yourself. took one apart last year (an unmodified massager, that is) for entirely different low-speed motor purposes, and can't imagine the conversion process being too difficult if you have basic tools and skills (or some beer, and a friend with tools)

lapidary discs can also be had on eBay rather cheaply, in a variety of grits, if you are inclined along those lines

a shiatsu massager can be found at a local second hand store if you check from time to time (asking a staff member at a second hand store can expedite the process), or on eBay if you are in a hurry

in any event, best of luck mszymanski

[MTnative]

I had the oppportunity to use a Burke system at a Club meeting and liked it very much but like you I do not have that kind of money available. I looked into parts to build my own which would have been more cost effective when I ran across the Tomz Massager. After some research I purchased the Tomz and have been very pleased with it. I purchased a couple of extra discs so I have a variety of grits available. In addition, I bought a used Dremel Shoe Polisher from ebay for $7 and converted it to a buffer. Now I have a sharpening system that is small enough to fit on a shelf and still portable.
Jane

[Eddy-Smiles]

The last shiatsu massager I had was in Shiogama, Japan and she was great. I'm not sure how she was at sharpening knives! Frankly, at the time, knives were the last thing on my mind!!!!!!! Hee! Hee! Hee!

[Inadv]

If you are going to get a mechanized system, then I heartily recommend the Tomz. I've had my dual shaft machine for about 6 months or so now and I love it. I'm currently reworking the bevels on a set of gouges that were given to me by a friend. They had a 35 degree factory grind and I'm knocking that back to a 25 degree. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to do one of the larger tools, but there is no fear of overheating and accuracy is very easy to accomplish. Great tool that can be enhanced with glass plates and sandpaper disks for more versatility.

Then there is the $$$ which is more than reasonable, and on top of that you won't find a more likable, honest, and helpful individual then Tom Ellis.

BTW he doesn't pay me to say good things about him either!

L.P.