Grizzly Wet Grinder

[John Ponder]

Does anyone have any experience with the Grizzly wet grinder? I like the Tormek but don't want to spend that kind of money.

Thanks,
John

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have heard good things about the Grizzly wet grinder but never used it myself. I did try the Harbor Freight version of the Tormek, that was a piece of junk.

Dave

[Tim Marton]

I got the Grizzley wet grinder for Christmas. It works good if your knife or gouge is chipped bad and would take to long to hand sharpen. I understand the Tormek jigs and fixtures will fit on it. At first I had trouble adjusting the tool rest to get the right angle. The grinder has thumb screws that tighten on the legs of the tool holder. I noticed in a picture of the Tormek the leg on the tool rest is threaded and it has an adjuster on it. I ran a 1/2 x 20 die down the leg and cut threads in it. Put a 1/2 fine thread nut and washer on it and made it much easier to adjust the angle. I don't use it often only when I do something stupid to a knife. I am happy with it so far.

I have the one with the 8" wheel and wish I would have spent the extra money for the 10". The 8" leaves a noticeable hollow ground on the edge. This can be made into a straighter bevel with a few swipes on a fine stone and stropping.

Tim

[John Ponder]

Tim,
I had wondered about the 8" since it's about half the price. I noticed 8" wheels are used on the Burke sharpener too and that seems to be a real popular machine. How does the leather wheel work for power stropping?

[Tim Marton]

John,

The leather wheel works OK for power stropping. I usually hit the knife on the leather wheel for a quick strop and then finish it up with the old fashioned hand stropping using Flex-Cut yellow gold compound.

Tim

[John Ponder]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm still not sure what I want to do.

John

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

John, after using a friends Tormek and the HF knockoff, I was glad I purchased Tomz knife massager. Just my opinion

Dave

[TreeWizard]

I agree with Golf the Tomz is the way to go. Nice flat surface and no hollow grinds on any of the gouges.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

And a third the cost of the well known machines. (my wife liked that part)

Dave

[John Ponder]

Tomz is defiantly a good deal for my carving tools but I was hoping to get one machine that would cover them and my turning tools. Maybe I'm asking too much from one machine. It's great to have so many choices and the experienced input from this board.


John