Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your First Tormek Jig

The real power of the Tormek system comes from the wide range of jigs and accessories available. Jigs are what transform a Tormek from a water-cooled sharpener into a precision tool capable of sharpening everything from chisels to chef’s knives to woodturning gouges.

If you’re new to Tormek, you may be asking: Which jig should I start with? The answer depends on the kinds of tools you use most often. In this guide, we’ll introduce three of the most popular entry-level jigs. One for woodworkers, one for knife enthusiasts, and one for woodturners. We’ll also touch on kit and machine bundle options that can give you maximum utility and versatility right from the start.

Best Jig for Sharpening Chisels and Plane Irons: The Tormek Square Edge Jig (SE-77) 

For woodworkers, the Square Edge Jig is the obvious place to start. In fact, it’s so essential that the Tormek T-8 includes it as standard. If you sharpen chisels or plane irons, this jig is designed to give you the kind of accuracy and repeatability that freehand sharpening struggles to match.

The SE-77 secures your chisel or plane iron and holds it square to the stone. This eliminates the small inconsistencies that can creep in when sharpening by hand. For beginners, that means you can achieve razor-sharp results without hours of practice. For experienced woodworkers, it means your edges will be sharper and more consistent, and you’ll save valuable shop time in the process.

One of the clever features of the Square Edge Jig is its ability to fine tune camber, or the slight curve on the edge of some plane irons, such as those found on smooth planes. That gives you full control over your sharpening, whether you’re flattening boards or paring end grain.

Best Jig for Sharpening Knives: The Tormek KJ-45 Knife Jig

If knives are your main focus, the KJ-45 Centering Knife Jig is the ideal starting point. Designed with versatility in mind, it can handle chef’s knives, hunting knives, and everyday carry blades with equal precision.

The big advantage of the KJ-45 Knife Jig is consistency. Knives sharpened freehand often suffer from uneven bevels and inconsistent angles. The Tormek Knife Jig locks the knife into position, ensuring that each pass across the stone maintains the same edge angle. The result is a sharper knife that holds its edge longer.

For home cooks, this means your kitchen knives will cut more efficiently and be more enjoyable to use. For outdoorspeople, your hunting or bushcraft knife will perform reliably when you need it most. And for collectors or enthusiasts, it provides a way to maintain your knives without risk of damage.

If your sharpening needs extend beyond knives, the HTK-906 Hand Tool Kit is worth considering. It includes jigs for scissors, axes, and smaller hand tools, making it a great all-around starter set for hobbyists and home users.

Best Jig for Sharpening Woodturning Tools: The Tormek SVD-186R Gouge Jig

Woodturning tools are notoriously difficult to sharpen consistently by hand. That’s where the Tormek SVD-186R Gouge Jig comes in. This jig is designed specifically for sharpening turning and carving gouges, as well as other tools with curved profiles.

The SVD-186R allows you to maintain a precise bevel angle on tools that would otherwise be nearly impossible to sharpen evenly. Whether you’re turning spindles, bowls, or detailed carvings, sharp gouges are essential, and this jig ensures they stay that way.

For beginners, it takes the intimidation out of sharpening complex profiles. For experienced turners, it means you can focus on your craft instead of fighting with dull tools. To make setting the correct angle easy, we recommend paring your Gouge Jig with the TTS-100 Turning Tool Setter.

If turning is your passion, the TNT-808 Woodturner’s Kit is the most cost-effective way to get started. It bundles the SVD-186R with other essential turning jigs, giving you everything you need to maintain your full set of turning tools.

Cost-Effective Ways to Get Started: Tormek Kits and Machine Bundles

While you can start with a single jig, Tormek also offers kits and machine bundles that provide exceptional value. These are worth considering if you want maximum versatility right away:

• HTK-906 Hand Tool Kit: Ideal for home cooks, hobbyists, and anyone sharpening a mix of knives, scissors, and axes.
  
  
• TNT-808 Woodturner’s Kit: The go-to option for woodturners, covering the most commonly used turning tools.
  
  
• Tormek Machine Bundles: Machines packaged with jigs and kits give you the most cost-effective entry point. Instead of buying each jig separately, you get a complete system from the start.

These bundles are often the best way to build a setup that will serve you for years, without the piecemeal expense of adding jigs one at a time.

Which Tormek Jig Should You Start With?

So which jig is right for you? The answer depends on the tools you sharpen most:

• Woodworkers should start with the Square Edge Jig (SE-77) for chisels and planes.
• Knife enthusiasts, chefs, and outdoorspeople will benefit most from the KJ-45 Knife Jig.
• Woodturners will find the SVD-186R Gouge Jig indispensable.

No matter which you choose, remember that jigs are what unlock the full potential of your Tormek. And if you want to get the most versatility from day one, the Hand Tool Kit, Woodturner’s Kit, and machine bundles are smart, cost-effective options.

Browse our full selection of Tormek jigs, kits, and machine bundles to find the best starting point for your sharpening journey.

Our Sharpening Experts Can Help

We have experts here ready to answer all your Tormek questions. Not only do we regularly use Tormek systems to help us enjoy our own hobbies outside of work, but we also have complete Tormek setups here to help walk you through any questions or issues you might encounter. Adding to that, we're the only place that stocks the full range of Tormek spare parts, ready to ship. Getting a Tormek from Sharpening Supplies guarantees you lifetime product support via phone or email.