Thread: 8" or 10" wheel?

Now that I have CFO approval for buying a grinder, I am left with with the question: do I go for an 8" wheel or a 10" wheel?

Personally I am leaning more towards an 8" wheel. However, I know that several of you work with a 10" wheel so perhaps I am missing something.

I'm one of those 10" guys. While I don't have an 8" to compare to, I really like the big wheel for wedge grinds and starting thinner hollows. I feel that it's easier to grind accurately on my bigger wheel, (at least compared to the 3").

Compared to the old WB wedge I restored, a 5" radius is actually pretty hollow. I think that wedge was ground on something closer to a 14" wheel. It's possible to get a nicely sensitive blade with 5"-radius hollows.

If I had the money, I'd probably pick up a 14" contact wheel. It should make it easier to do heavy wedge grinds. For hollows, it might be a little bit more accurate when setting up the geometry for the 3" (or smaller) wheel. In any case it wouldn't be any harder to hollow out a 7" radius than a 5", or 4". I also really like the cutting geometry of knives that have large-radius hollows.

Hopefully someone with a large selection of wheels will respond with their thoughts.

Phillip

Between an 8 or a 10 I would choose an 8 inch. If I could only have one contact wheel it would be a 6 or a 4 inch. you can always grind a bigger radius with a small wheel, but you can not grind smaller radius with a bigger wheel.

Charlie

I agree, you'll make more use of the 8". It'll give you a hollower grind unless you decide you only want to grind the more wedge type of razors. I do own nearly every wheel and I must say they all have their use with me. But if I had to chose between the 8 or 10. I'd go with the 8" for straight razors.

I asked pretty much the same question and what was recommended to me is 2", 4", 8". Still waiting on my drive wheel from Sunray...dang they take a while to make your stuff.

I have 8, 4 and 2. I start with 8, and finish up with 4. I haven't used the 2 yet - it is the top wheel on my flat platten setup - it is rubber, not the original aluminum.

Originally Posted by skipnord

I have 8, 4 and 2. I start with 8, and finish up with 4. I haven't used the 2 yet - it is the top wheel on my flat platten setup - it is rubber, not the original aluminum.

That's actually a cool idea. Did you simply replace the alu wheel with a 2" contact wheel?

Originally Posted by Bruno

That's actually a cool idea. Did you simply replace the alu wheel with a 2" contact wheel?

Yep. Works just fine, and if I really wanted to, I could tilt the flat platten setup, and use it without taking anything apart. Never tried it, but I could.
Skip

That is abrilliant idea. I'll steal it
Thank you.