While the Scheppach TiGer 2000 has been produced and sold in Europe for several years, it is new to the U.S. market. It is very similar to the Tormek in its appearance, operation, and wide variety of tool-holding jigs. The wet wheel on both machines can be modified from rough to fine with a grading tool. Opposite the grinding wheel is a slightly smaller, leather wheel, which gets charged with honing compound.

While the initial setup is simple, the owner’s manual is crude in comparison to the Tormek. But the TiGer offers nearly as many sharpening jigs, and they attach in the same way.

The major difference between the two machines, when it comes to flattening backs and grinding and honing bevels, is that the finest grind achieved with the TiGer is coarser than that of the Tormek. So you’ll spend more time at the leather honing wheel removing the deep scratches left by grinding. Also, at less than 8 in., the grinding wheel is smaller, and the container for the honing paste is awkward. That said, the Scheppach TiGer is an effective and versatile machine, which retails for less than the Tormek.

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