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Sorby vs Tormek

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
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Oct 7, 2013
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Sandford
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Paul
Having had both now for a while I though I'd give you my opinion on them.

I bought the Sorby Pro Edge a couple of years ago and have had no problem consistently get the correct angles on any of my chisels although as I started to use the skew I began to use a diamond sharpening thingy to try and keep it razor sharp and didn't use the Sorby for it any more. I love this tool and as a complete idiot when it comes to free hand sharpening this is ideal for me, consistent angles and sharpness in a very short time.

I acquired the Tormek a few weeks back for £20 which was an absolute bargain. I've since spent over £200 buying the various bits and pieces I need to sharpen individual tools. As you may or may not know the Tormek is a wet stone and this is my first gripe. I don't have running water in my shed so have to go out to a tap to fill up the reservoir. I take it back to the shed, invariably spill some on the bench and then turn on the machine whereby whatever's left is sucked up by the dry wheel. I then repeat the above procedure. Now then to sharpen the skew you have a gadget that you change to suit the angle of your tool and fit the chisel in to the desired length using another gadget. This gadget then is used to put the guide rod to the desired length from the wheel. All of the above can be slightly out depending on you eyeing up the correct angle marked on the gadget. This would probably only be by a very slight degree but out all the same. Now then because its now going to be hollow ground I have to change the wheel to a courser grit using another gadget I had to buy and then eventually get going. After an hour of grinding I eventually have the chisel at the right angle and ground correctly. I then use the gadget to change the coarseness of the wheel again. Now after sharpening again for a few minutes the chisel is as shiny as a mirror and sharper that the CMM's tongue.

I've just sharpened the skew again and it took about 10 mins in all after getting the water etc. I expect the time to come down to just over 5 mins.

So my conclusion is that I will keep the Sorby for all my tools except for skews and Knives and the Tormek for the Skews and Knives. I don't particularly like the Tormek but the finish is just sooooo sharp that finishing pens is a doddle and sandpaper is virtually a thing of the past.
 

billyb_imp

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Mar 2, 2014
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Lincoln, UK
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I got the Sorby a few weeks ago at the Turners Retreat open weekend it was on special offer, would not be without it now, sharp chisels all the time, what a difference

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 

flatpack

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Oct 4, 2014
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stockbridge
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paul
hello all, having never used a wet stone i can't comment. but i do love my sorby pro edge, quick and easy, small foot print has i only have a small shed,

paul
 

21William

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Jan 21, 2016
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William
I know this is necroposting - updating a long dead post :whistling: but as someone has recently asked about the pros and cons of the two systems I thought I’d add the following.

It’s perhaps worth mentioning that if you change to a finer grit belt on the Pro Edge you can get a nearly polished edge with it.
I use a much modified belt and disc sander to sharpen my tools and a 240 grit belt gives a very fine edge.
 

bigbob

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Oct 31, 2014
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557
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Inverness
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Bob
Interesting review re the two systems think like most I am curious to know which is the best system. I have the pro edge and as well as sharpening my wood turning tools on it I also find it handy to set a bevel on a new plane iron or wood chisel then use diamond plates and a home made strop to get them hair cutting sharp. I find when setting up new tools to the correct bevel you do need water to cool them down on the pro edge (using 60 grit) but once the bevel is set it just takes a quick 20 second sharpen.
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
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Aug 16, 2014
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County Durham
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Being a retired joiner I sharpened my tools o a Japanese water stone. Cheaper than a tormek & gives the keenest edge of anything I’ve used so if I want a sharp edge on my skew I can use the water stone.
 
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