About Tormek
Tormek was born from the mind of engineer Torgny Jansson in 1973. Rooted in the Swedish tradition of advanced innovation, functionality and quality Tormek has developed a unique sharpening system that has come to set a standard in modern edge tool sharpening. Drawing from our decades of experience we created the first real knife sharpener for the home cook.
Innovative & patented solutions
Since the start, problem solving through innovation is a strong driving force for Tormek. Today we hold close to 20 patents and are a leading brand within sharpening of edge tools. We offer a complete system including jigs and attachments, each one specially designed to easily achieve the optimal sharpness on all kinds of hand tools.
A global brand
Tormek exports to over 40 countries worldwide. Our sharpening machines are appreciated by cabinet makers, woodworkers, woodturners, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts as well as professional chefs, restaurants, industrial kitchens and households. The Tormek sharpening system is also used in professional sharpening businesses.
Made in Sweden
We are fully focused on sharpening. All the product development, engineering work and production is done in Sweden. Tormek is located in Lindesberg, a small town in the heart of Bergslagen with a history in mining. The production is carried out in close cooperation with selected suppliers, all specialized and the best in their fields. This ensures the highest quality and a continuous access to the best and most modern manufacturing technology.
The Tormek Story
In the 1970's, Torgny Jansson struggled to get the market to believe in his innovative new sharpening machine. No retailer in Sweden was interested, so Tormek soon came to seek its market abroad, thus beginning the journey of what was to become a global brand.
Early 1970's
The Spark of an Idea
Torgny Jansson, a mechanical design engineer wanted to find a good method for his father to sharpen his woodworking tools. Torgny created a modern version of the typical Swedish water cooled grind stone. Only the one for his father at first, but being the rational man that he was, he thought that he might as well make a few more whilst he was at it. The extra ones quickly sold out among his friends marking the start of Tormek.
1973
The First Model
The very first model was driven with an electric hand drill, which had a shaft mounted in the chuck. It could be attached to the grindstone in just a few seconds. The power drill was supported by a cleverly designed holder. The high rpm of the power drill was reduced by a rubber drive wheel to suit the low rpm required for a grindstone. Thanks to the innovative solution, the shaft could not slip and the design proved to be very user friendly and reliable. The patent application was approved! Now, what had been a hobby project had turned into a company along with a mission – to make sharpening easier for every woodworker.
1975
Taking off
In 1975, Tormek began exporting to other Scandinavian countries and in 1976 to Germany and several other European countries. In 1981, the first self-powered model was introduced with the same reliable design as the original drill powered model.
1984
The start of the system
The first version of the Universal Support was developed in 1984 and it came to be the start of the Tormek system. It could be considered as a simple design, but like most good innovations the ingenuity lies in the simplicity. At that time, all grinding machines had conventional, flat tool rests. Today, the Tormek design has been adopted by manufacturers of water cooled grinders around the world.
80's-90's
Setting a standard
Since then, Tormek has continued to grow and develop a range of products into a full sharpening system, unique of its kind. When the system was first introduced in the USA, the machine got top ratings along with headlines like "Tormek – The underdog" and "Tormek – A different breed".
2000
Taking it further
Tormek has worked continuously to make sharpening easy and efficient even for the inexperienced worker. The initial natural sandstone from Gotland has been replaced by a vitrified aluminium oxide grindstone specially developed for water cooled grinding at low speed. Today the product range is the widest on the market and Tormek offers a complete sharpening system for all kinds of edge tools. The spirit of innovation and the desire to make sharpening easy and effective is still at the heart of the business.
2023
Tormek Celebrating 50 Years!
Marking a half-century of innovation, Tormek proudly present the Tormek T-8 Black, a special 50-year anniversary edition. A machine that boasts a sleek, all-black appearance that enhances the style of any workshop. It is equipped with a DF-250 Diamond Wheel Fine and a CW-220 Composite Honing Wheel, combining a striking look with peak performance. To commemorate this milestone, the Tormek T-8 Black comes with an exceptional 50-year warranty, reinforcing our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Learn more
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Finding and replicating the existing edge angle
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Jeansverket x Tormek - Denim Cover for Tormek T-1
Tormek and Jeansverket unite Swedish craftsmanship and design in a premium denim cover for the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener – blending protection, style, and function.