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Here is how you can reduce the cost for\u00a0a sharpening system that works very efficiently<\/strong>. I described the system in posts on 7\/10\/25<\/a> and 7\/17\/25<\/a>.<\/p>\n First, let us look at the machine<\/b>. My Tormek is more than 20 years old, with a 10\u201d wheel. It cost too much but not nearly today’s approximately $1000 for a ten-inch wheel machine, and nearly $600 for an 8-inch.<\/p>\n I continue to recommend an 8\u201d for practical purposes, and you can get this for about $100. I do not really need the leather wheel for most of my purposes but it is included in virtually all models that I have seen.<\/p>\n A CBN (cubic boron nitride)<\/b> wheel is what I use and recommend. For the 8\u201d diameter, 2\u201d width is handier but not really necessary. And there is no need to spend about $400 on a diamond wheel!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For about $130. the width is 1 1\/2\u201d width, which is quite sufficient. This is 180 grit, which is somewhere about 100\u00b5. Mine is 200 grit, which is about 70 – 80\u00b5. Both are fine.<\/p>\n Ok, we\u2019re up to $230.<\/b><\/p>\n Now let’s look at the handwork expense.<\/b><\/p>\n As stated in the first explanatory post, I suggest a combo stone with about 45\u00b5\/9\u00b5. I still like the Duo Sharp E\/C. If you still want to save money, a similarly effective (I have tried it) 400\/1200 diamond plate, 8\u201d x 2 3\/4\u201d, costs about $20.<\/p>\n Now let’s look at the fine plates. You can pay about $70 for a Shapton Kuromaku 8000. I have used it for years and it is great. It is worth it. But if you want to keep the cost as low as you can, consider an alternative $22 #8000, but I do not know the quality because I have never tried it.<\/p>\n Now for the big expense<\/b>, which is the finest stone. The Suehiro 20,000 0.5\u00b5, which I have been using for years, is now about $265. The similarly fine Shapton is over $300. So, I suggest trying something that I have not, which is the Proyan 15,000, 0.64\u00b5. It costs only about $46! See how it goes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n