opinions on Koch sharpening wheels

murray · #1 03-12-2004, 08:20 PM

Would like to hear observations from anyone using this system. How does it compare with tormek?

Nancy_G · #2 03-12-2004, 10:12 PM

I'm eagerly waiting on answers to this question too. And I'd like to hear where you can buy the complete system instead of just the two wheels sold on the Nora Hall site. TIA.

dart · #3 03-13-2004, 04:07 PM

Where can we see these wheels?

murray · #4 03-13-2004, 05:15 PM

Dart, you can try the Koch web site at www.koch.de/en also Nora Hall sells two of the wheels and has a demo on her website www.norahall.com Murray

mdallensr · #5 03-14-2004, 11:19 AM

I checked out the Koch website. I've seen that machine before, but don't remember where. Maybe in a book by a European carver? I have a Tormek and really like it. I've reshaped most of my tools, after realizing the factory angle and shape weren't suited for my carving. Some weren't suited for anyone's carving, and I carved with them for some time before figuring that out. The Tormek grinding wheel is two grits, depending on how you 'grade' it with the silicon carbide griding stone. You start coarse, than regrade the stone and finish fine (to a shine), then finish the sharpening process with the leather wheel on the other side of the machine. I seldom grind tools, now that I have the shape I like, but I'll always have to repair damaged tools and there'll be some new ones down the road. I can't offer a comparision to the Koch, but the Tormek works as advertised IF you follow the instructions. And yes, it's a lot of money at one shot but not if spread out over 20-30 years of carving.