TORMEK vs WEN - 12 YEARS as a pro, 53,000 Knives Sharpened!

I've used My Tormek for 12 years and 53,000 knives. This video compares my Tormek to a new WEN cheap knockoff wet grinder. At the end I'll sharpen a knife and tell you my final opinion.

[notsoberoveranalyzer]

Recently, got into turning. And I picked up the Wen.
When I was a teen, living with my uncle. He’d often say “When in doubt, sharpen. Feeling off? Sharpen.” And this has served me well thus far. Granted, he taught me how to do it by hand, and this is my first system. So im still getting a feel for it, and I don’t really have much to compare it to.
But thanks for the video. For how often you(at least I) sharpen, I was kinda kicking myself for not finding a way to splurge on something more.

But really appreciated this breakdown.

[ClintsHobbiesDIY]

Good informative vid.
I just bought a Wen mini wood lathe a week ago. I'm overwhelmed with the quality and trueness.

[RodgerMyers]

Nice video 👍 . Bought a Tormek 2000 in 2007 and am very pleased ! Just bought a Wen for $108 Wal-Mart online & a Wen accessory kit for $50 at Home Depot online ( small & large knife jigs, scissor jig & an axe jig . Jigs are near identical to Tormek jigs and do exact job 👍 ) I can sharpen just as well with the Wen . I am going to watch the rest of your sharpening videos to see if I can improve at honing ... I can get a knife to " tree top " once in a great while 😞

[BjørjaBear]

As a Norwegian, I'd rather by anything but Swedish, but the Tormek is simply straight quality, and you have to respect that. If you can afford it, buy it, you won't regret it.

[RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah sir. I have the WEN as well. It's been a great system for me sharpening my custom knives. I really like your remarks. Very insightful. I'm going to need to try some free-hand sharpening on mine.

[andydepaule]

I never owned a Tormek so can't compare them. I got the Wen three months ago and it's been really nice to use. So nice that I now bought the Wen Planer with spiral cutters and that is a real dream, and both at a very reasonable price. I'm so impressed that I'm going to get their top of the line bench drill press next. The quality is quite a lot better than other Chinese manufacturers. I'd highly recommend their tools.

[pamundson]

You can really hear the difference in the stone after you put the flattening tool on it!

[r.castano]

Please write the model numbers in your description. With a review like this, you might want WEN will sponsor you if you post a link.

[cameronmower]

So, thirteen years later, how is it holding up? is it still a good investment? i want one, but i worry about replacing it. Of course, I could buy 8 of them before i hit the T8 cost...

[jamesharper]

Bought a Wen drywall sander about a year ago. I was so impressed I figured I'd try out one of their brad nailers. Happy with it as well. Neither are perfect, but both are capable.

Thanks for the review.

[myblues]

I have the same WEN sharpener and I've had it for 4 years now. I've had no issues with it.

[joeylayman]

When you use the strop on that machine flip it around and reverse the motor then the grinding stone won't be in your way that's most likely why it has a reverse on it.

[Rayraysrides]

I tried reading all of the comments to see if this has been asked but didn't see it... Will the universal tool/ work support from the Tormek fit the WEN? I need a taller one when sharpening bigger cleavers and the like. Still learning all of the ins and outs but so far the WEN is working pretty well for me.

[dperreno]

Your issue at 4:53 is where the WEN design provides a solution. Just turn the sharpener around and reverse the direction, then you can strop the other side of the blade. Yes, not a perfect solution, but still an improvement over the TORMEK

[denisstanley]

I used to take my puma white hunter to a guy that had a "band sharpener". The only time it was razor sharp straight from the knife sharpener man. Its been razor sharp lots sitting honing in front of the winter fire by me. Then i found the knife sharpenning man. I have sharpeners for knives and chainsaws and drills and most cutting tools but never got it as good as he did unless i sat and honed the edge

[thoward]

I've found the biggest challenge with the Wen is the support bar. Unlike the Tormek USB, which is machined to perfection, the Wen is difficult to get perfectly aligned. It's a manageable problem, but not easy to overcome. If you're as skilled a PG at free handing, it's not an issue.

[richardgibson]

Very happy with my excel grinder, identical to wen.
Only concern is clickety clackety noise from the bearings, sent it back and replacement is just the same!
Any comments?

[DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

Once upon a time it made sense to only buy the best. But now there are options that offer the same results for a fraction of the price. I've owned WEN tools for over a decade and they receive constant use. Every single one of them performs as well as the pricier alternatives. Build quality and internal components are all solid. And if you're running a business like knife-sharpening where your profit margins are slim, you can pay off that WEN tool and start investing in something else much, much quicker than a Tormek that costs 5x as much. If paying for a name is what you're after, spent the extra money. But if you're trying to do a job, get the tool that does the job well and doesn't break the bank.

[miltonjasso]

Great video, im really considering on buying a tormek but with this video I really don't know now, I just remember the old saying " buy cheap, cheap results " .... I'm really confused now!!!

[rawbacon]

The only WEN tool I have is a "Dremel" aka rotary tool and it has worked perfectly for over a decade now.