Just got the 2006 Grizzly wishbook. Thumbing through it I come across their universal knife grinder G2790. Handles up to 20″ knives.
Now, one can have a set of jointer or planer knives sharpened quite a few times for the ~$US200.00 they’re asking for this thing. At the same time, though, given the convenience of not having to send out my knives and waiting a week or more to get them back is worth something. Of course I’ve got three sets of knives for both the planer and jointer so I’m never without sharp knives. It’s just an intriguing idea.
Wondered if anyone thought of getting one or already has. As the question so often goes ….”What is your opinion of it?”
Replies
Dennis, can you post a picture, or direct me somewhere where I can see this . It may be the ame thing that I have, (bought in South Africa).If it is I can give you some pointers on it.
Philip:
Here is a link to the Grizzly site/page where the universal knife grinder is described:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.aspx?itemnumber=G2790
It looks as though it might even be pressed into service for grinding a straight edge along a piece of iron for all sorts of projects, not just for sharpening. An interesting piece of equipment to be sure.
Edited 12/31/2005 11:50 am ET by DennisS
A friend of mine bought the Busy Bee version here in Canada. I borrowed it and with a pair of six-inch jointer blades in it. All I could do was burn them. That 120 grit stone is way too hard and fine. As your edge gets thinner/sharper, the burning effect increases. When my friend lent me the grinder he included another cup stone that he had gotten from work. It was a coarse blue, very friable bond, stone. I don't know what make it was or what the actual abrasive numbers were. So I can't tell you where to get one. It did however run very cool and I was able to completely sharpen any of my jointer and plainer blades without any more burning. So unless you're prepared to invest in by another stone to fit. I would not recommend buying it. I will also add that the blade angle adjustment is pretty crude, flimsy, and therefore not all that easy to use. As it has only a 20 inch limit of travel. It rules out putting two 12 inch blades in at the same time, which is the best way to keep them the same size and balanced. If the design and construction of the machine were better executed then I would recommend it even if it cost more.
Now there's a point I'd not considered: keeping the knives balanced! Good call.
It was just a fishing trip really thinking it might be useful to grind my own knives but the more I think about it, this is probably, like sharpening saw blades these days, a task best left to the pros.
Thanks for the reply and the heads up about balance.
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