Platform for Sharpening and Honing

Overview

Note: with the advent of the pin pivot jig, the platform jig is used less often.

Simple Platform for Honing and Sharpening

Enhanced Platform for Sharpening Knives

Jan Švancara developed this simple jig for easier and more consistent honing and sharpening (first picture on the right), and the even more enhanced jig (2d picture on the right). The 2d picture also shows the laser he uses for alignment. (I love how Jan used Erector Set toys to build jigs.)

Tony Whitfield (AKA, "Y-Not") posted an additional recommendation regarding the knife sharpening platform, in that he recommended putting a drop of mineral oil on the knife blade and the platform. This was posted in 2018 on the Tormek Forum as a way to reduce scratches on the edge of the blade.

Sources for Buying One

You can purchase one from Colvin Tools.

Notes on Making One

3D Printed Platform Jig

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Bottom of 3D Printed Platform Jig

If you would like to make one using a 3D printer, the STL file you can use is Tormek-Wedge-Jig.stl. That can be used to make the one shown to the left.

You will need a M6-1.0 tap to add threads to the hole on the back for the thumb screw.

The thumb screw recommended is McMaster-Carr part number 92552A453 - Steel Low-Profile Knurled-Head Thumb Screw.

More Information

Presentations

Tormek knife jig (YouTube video). Herman Trivilino's video shows the use of a platform jig. His looks a little different, as he has affixed a piece of steel to the Tormek SVX-150 Scissors Jig (my variation of this is a piece of very hard plastic attached to the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest). In any case, the results are the same.