Tormek SJ-250 Tormek Japanese Waterstone 4000 grit - Delivers a Mirror Finish - Fits T-8 and T-7

Just wanted to say I love this stone. It arrived in just 2 days in perfect condition. It is perfectly balance with absolutely no wobble or runout.Using marking pen for edge alignment does mark up the wheel edge but doesn't have any impact on the polishing. The only drawback is the price is really steep at over $500 with tax, but it will last forever as it really doesn't wear down like an abrasive wheel.You buy it once and forget about the price. I should have bought it 3 yrs ago it was only $400 then but I waited as the system with all the jigs was expensive itself. I never really liked the leather wheels and still don't as they will polish but it is usually free hand and too messy with the paste etc.My recommendation for those considering the 4000 water stone, just hold your nose and buy the thing, you will not be disappointed and it is just so easy to produce super sharp, highly polished edges every time.I did add a vertical support arm to the front position of the T8 so that I can polish with the wheel rather than into the wheel rotation. IMO the 4000 stone is just too soft to sharpen into the stone and it will chip if the knifes sharp edge cut into the surface .I wanted to add that I did install another support bar on the front position so that I could sharpen with the wheel turning away for me, so no chance of chipping which was a real problem.I added Tormek BGM-100 mount, to my Tormek T8 as a vertical support arm to the front position, so that I can polish with the rotation of the wheel away, rather than into the wheel rotation. IMO the 4000 Japanese Water stone is just too soft to sharpen into the stone and it will chip if the knifes sharp edge cut into the surface .By placing this Jig on the lower front position you can now polish or grind with the wheel rotation with both vertical and horizontal adjustments. The threaded rods are size M12 and threaded into a piece of hard maple, using M12 thread cutter.Works great and eliminates the possibility of chipping that $500 plus super soft 4000 grit water stone.

I read the reviews and was a little hesitant to make the heavy purchase. It is a good stone. It was not perfect but not unreasonable. Each machine is going to be a bit different. I could have used the stone just as it came. It is a 4000 grit water stone. It isn't a grinding stone, it is a polishing stone and does what a polishing stone should. Even so slightly out of center it still functions well freehand. It was easy enough to true up and is perfect. It isn't for every kind of metal. Doesn't work well on stainless chef knives but it would on carbon steel blades. It is perfect for the things you would use a Japanese water stone on.

If you want a razor sharp knife. If your are the type that will put extra time into a blade.If you like a knife sharp enough, to shave your arm,and demand perfectionand, and willing to spend some time to get there.This is probably a step forward for you.I grew up a hicks in the high back country of Colorado. As teenagers we would set around the camp fire and sharpen or knifes.( Some times I won ) 10 years or so of that and you can get pretty good. If you have the time to do that.For the most part I believe in the manufacture recommendations however, after you have put a good shape on the blade.( Read the instructions) You can now put a beautiful finish grind on the blade in the same exact place that you placed the shaped edge.Be carefull this stone is somewhat soft. You must have a firm grip on it because if you let wander it will actually dig into the stone. and pul lit out of your hand.Now comes the part you are not necessary suppose to do. The Book says do not stromp on th leather wheel. (With this stone.) I Do. I use a good quality metal finishing,Polishin. compound. You must be carefull now. ( You are now hand holding ) apply metal polish to the blade and with the angle( 20 Degrees on all operations ) Hand held Put about four very firm passes per side.. What you want to achive is a very high gloss polished edge. Carefull do not over strop. Why? Because you can not maintain the perfect 20 degree hand hold. Do not starting to round the edge.So if anything do more polish on the blade and less on the edge. Just enough to get that beautiful high gloss. Good luck/ Practice.Ted

This $500 stone came with little padding and as a result there was a two inch long 3/8” deep chip on the edge. Other than that it feels like a traditional Japanese water stone that should give amazing edges.

Not sure what others are complaining about. This is easy to true if done correctly. Do not true from inside to outside (as when it passes to the outside will cause small chips) Do in small passes from outside to inside (middle) on both sides. You must BARELY touch the truer to the stone. To deep and it chips. Been using this constantly and easy to keep in prime shape.Other suggestion, mark the stone on label with marker arrow. Mark your bar you mount stone on with small arrow on edge. Always line up these arrows when mounting stone (mounted same way every time) and then when you true it you will never have wobble. This stone is great and I imagine those complaining don't know what they are doing.

Yes, the price is expensive on this stone. Since it is so smooth and removes pretty much no metal, it should last a very long time. It does polish knife edges very well and gets a knife shaving sharp when finished with it. I still continue further on leather strop to get sharper although they say it is not needed, it definitely gets sharper using a leather strop because I measure sharpness using a BESS Sharpener tester and stropping definitely improves and edge, but this stone gets a knife as sharp as most would desire. For me, this is a stone anyone serious about getting things polished sharp should get one. Yes, expensive but should last and last and last since this is polishing more than removing metal.