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All Profs > Customer Testimonial
I strongly believe in credit where credit is due, so this unsolicited testimonial is long overdue.
I have been using Burr King equipment for about 15 years now. During that time my company, Mad Dog Knives, has risen from relative obscurity in a niche market to being a well recognized and highly respected brand of hand made knives sold, used and avidly collected the world over.
I started making knives professionally in December of 1988 after leaving a career as a Rocket Scientist. After wearing out three "off brand" bargain belt grinders in as many years, I became disgusted with their tendency to self destruct under what I considered normal usage.
I finally switched to Burr King in 1992 after seeing some of them at an industrial show and speaking to the Burr King rep there at the show. I owe him a debt of gratitude for taking the time to explain the advantages of the Burr King designs to an obvious skeptic, and allowing me to "test drive" the grinder right there at the show. At the same show, I noticed that the guys in the 3M booth were also using Burr King grinders to showcase their newest belts. I ordered my first Burr King , a 2" X 72" knifemaker machine, shortly thereafter.
I currently own three Burr King grinder products.
1) My first Burr King is a 2" X 72" single speed grinder that I have converted to a 2" X 60" through the expedient of removing the mast that elevates the idler wheel. This conversion allows me to use used belts from the 4" X 60" unit after I split them to 2" width.
I ran this grinder as a 2" X 72" for several years until I got the 4" X 60".
I have never replaced anything on this machine except the drive belts and the dog on the belt tensioning system. I use this machine every day, and I work seven days a week. It has a LOT of mileage on it.
This grinder has been a strong performer since day one, and absolutely trouble free. I ground many hundreds of knives on it before converting it to 2" X 60" for use on handles and shaping processes after getting the big 4" X 60". This machine is now primarily used for grinding and shaping glass/epoxy composites, although it is also used for steel, especially during my sharpening processes.
Had I realized the advantages of a variable speed grinder, I would have ordered this one as a variable speed unit. The "extra" cost of the variable speed system is well worth it and amortizes itself almost immediately. This grinder is the one I used when designing and developing the Mad Dog Knives SEAL ATAK knife, the only knife in U.S. Military history to ever receive a sole source justification.
2) My beloved Burr King 4" X 60" model 960-400 variable speed grinder. My closest companion about 40 hours a week.
This Burr King is the workhorse in my shop, every Mad Dog Knife and Ax produced since early 1995 has been ground on that machine, and it has run about six or seven hours a day all of those years. Despite this extreme usage, it has also been effectively trouble free. I have replaced drive belts many times, the tensioner dog once (I made hardened tool steel versions for both grinders so I wouldn't have to replace them ever again) and I have replaced the contact wheel bearings twice. That's it. I am even using the original contact wheel on the machine. I treat my equipment well, but I use it a LOT. The durability of this machine has been amazing. On the rare occasions when it required maintenance or replacements, it has been simple and easy to work on. Down time is a killer for any machine oriented business, and mine is no exception. The absolute reliability of these machines is one of the best reasons I could give for buying them.
I quite literally make my living with this machine. It runs smooth, grinds amazingly well and without it, my knives would not be all that they are today. The variable speed feature allows finishing with finer belts or ripping off great quantities of hard steel with 60 grit, and the wide contact wheel allows long belt life and a wide enough surface to do darned near anything on the contact wheel. My grinding style is unusual, as I flat grind on the contact wheel (instead of a platen) with the contact wheel running axis vertical. I am unaware of any other knifemakers utilizing this technique, and it would certainly not be possible without the Burr King being such a smooth running machine. This machine has worn out thousand of grinding belts, and the old belts are used for composite handle grinding after splitting on the 2" X 60" machine which used to be a
2" X 72" "Knifemaker" machine.
3) I have recently added a 2" X 72" variable speed probe type grinder, your model 720. It replaces a couple of lesser machines that have long since given up the ghost. Had I to do it all over again, I would have upgraded to this machine long ago. The benefits of 20/20 hindsight.
The different contact wheel sizes have added a lot of ability to create new designs and execute them quickly and reliably. I do everything by hand, so my tools have to be literal extensions of my body. This machine makes me feel like I have a whole other knifemaker in the shop! The fact that this grinder is reversible is also a big help, a feature I have never seen on a grinder before.
The 720 machine has now been mounted on a custom made base which I designed and fabricated such that I can rotate the grinder from belt running horizontally as it was originally designed, to belt running edges vertical/wheel axis vertical like my customized 940-600. This saves a lot of neck and back strain as I grind some pretty strange shapes at times, and the different axis attitudes allow me to do so with a minimum of stress and strain on my already over taxed body. The new base was a pain to make, but it was worth it.
Dealing with Burr King staff is always an exercise in professionalism and courtesy. Every time I have needed parts, you have had them in stock and got them out promptly. If I have a question, someone is there who actually knows what I am talking about... and best of all a real Human Being always answers the phone.
Burr King Grinders and Mad Dog Knives have made for an unbeatable combination, and I can not recommend your products, service, and professionalism highly enough. Without Burr Kings working as hard as I do in the shop, life would be a heck of a lot more difficult.
Thank you for making a great product, and thank you for maintaining such high standards of quality.
If a new knifemaker wants advice from an 18 year veteran that has already made all of the usual mistakes and more than a few that were evidently quite unique, it would be this:
Don't waste your money and time on lesser equipment.
Start with a Burr King, you won't be sorry!
Literally thousands of successful grinds and finishes later, I know that Burr King is truly the King of the belt grinder world.
Long Live the King.
Stay Sharp,
Kevin "Mad Dog" McClung Pres. MD Labs/ Mad Dog Knives Customer Testimonial This model Burr King has the power to do any type of grinding I require. It runs extremely quiet and vibration-free. With the options offered it is very versatile and in my opinion is the Cadillac of grinders. Given the quality, power, and options offered, Burr King is still in the affordable range, and I would recommend a Burr King grinder to anyone!! Ben of pdqrodworks@verizon.net Customer Testimonial Model 960-272 I purchased my Burr King, 2" x 72" belt grinder in 1992. I started with a Baldor, 1 hp, single phase motor but I soon discovered that it did not provide me with the torque I needed. I installed a Lesson 1 1/2 hp with a variable speed and I was off and running.
I know I made the right decision purchasing my Burr King and I can, without hesitation, recommend Burr King to anyone. The advanced features - such as the larger work rest and the small wheel attachment for the 2" wide belts is outstanding. The 9" disc sander attachment is fantastic. I am very satisfied with my Burr King and I sincerely believe that my Burr King Belt grinder is my most vital tool as a knifemaker.
Thanks Burr king for a stellar product.
Sincerely, J. Jenovese
Honolulu, Hawaii
Customer Testimonial
Model 960-272 Being the first major purchase of my early knifemaking days, I spent time comparing the few belt grinders on the market. My decision was narrowed to Burr King and Square Wheel grinders. After extensive phone consultations with the two companies, I selected the Burr King for two primary reasons: It was reported to be quieter and smoother running than its ompetition. The quiet part was very important to me since I had no separate shop facility (living in government housing at Comumbus Air Force Base, Mississippi). My "shop" was the extra bedroom in my home, right next to my two young daughters' bedroom. When I had time to work on knives, it was usually after the girls had been put to bed for the evening. Obviously, I did not want to disturb their sleep! The Burr King was so quiet that it never woke them up, even after many years of knife-grinding just one room away!
During those early years of Burr King use, I did not get any long stretches of time to grind. With a growing family (four children and now eight grandchildren!) and busy career in the Air Force, knife-making was a distant priority. But my interest continued to grow and I maintained it as one of my hobbies. It was not until I retired from the Air Force in 1993 that I started putting many more hours on my Burr King. By then, I came to really appreciate the "smooth-running" feature of my machine. Other knifemakers spoke of "machine fatigue" when many consecutive hours of grinding took place . . . with "other" makes of grinders. It was my experience that I could grind on my Burr King all day long and never feel any fatigue! After running another knifemaker's grinder (not a Burr King) several years ago and visiting other makers' shops to see other makes of grinders in operation, I am still sold on the features that have made my burr king such a pleasure to use!
About three years ago, my "hobby" turned into a full-time knifemaking job. The total number of knives made since 1979 is nearly 500, with over 400 completed in just the last seven years. The only change I want to make to my Burr King is to convert it to variable-speed operation. As I told your staff member at the Blade Show, I am almost hoping that the motor in my Burr King will "give up" so that I will have an excuse to get a variable-speed conversion kit for it. After all these years, I have only had to replace the drive belt and work rest! All the bearings, wheels, tension adjustment, motor switch, etc. are still working just fine. It is almost a wonder, because from its deliver to me in Mississippi in 1979, my Burr King has been moved to four other state-side areas (courtesy of the U.S. Air Force) and two overseas locations. After all that, Burr King quality and reliability is more than self-evident. Many thanks for an exceptional grinder that I hope to be using for the rest of my life!
Sincerely,
Owen B. Baker, Jr.
Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
Customer Testimonial
Model 562 At Pacific Metal Stampings our Burr King Model 562 belt grinder gets a great deal of use. At 8000 SFPM belt speed it insures quick work of any job we might have. We have had it for 7 years and it has been a durable and reliable grinder.
Brian Schlotfelt
General Manager Pacific Metal Stampings Inc. Customer Testimonial Model 482 Unlike a lot of other testimonials, this one doesn't come from someone who has his own business and depends on the machinery he buys to help make a living or, at least, supplement his income. I'm simply a "tinkerer" who wanted a good machine that would give lots of service and good results, so I scraped together my money and bought a single speed Model 482 (2" x 48" belt). As everyone knows, there was a "mishap" back on August 29, 2005 in the New Orleans area. My machine was under water for approximately four weeks. I recently sent it back to the factory for a refurbishing. The motor was frozen, the exterior had flaking paint and rust everywhere, it "smelled," and as I had surmised the bearings had to be replaced as well as the motor for starters. I was asked how extensive a refurbishing I wanted. Did I want it to look like new? As I mentioned before, the machine does not help pay for itself, so I said to replace only what was absolutely necessary to make the machine fuctional. I figured I could take care of the flaking paint and rust myself. Well, the Fedex truck brought it back today (Oct. 25, 2007). When I opended the box, I couldn't believe what I saw! Not only was the motor and other essential parts replaced, but it was repainted and looked new. I plugged it in and turned it on. The belt tracked true, no adjustment needed! Burr King goes above and beyond to make its customers satisfied. Burr King helps me remember what "Made in America" means. If you don't buy a Burr King, shame on you. Gerard "Jerry" Barbier
Customer Testimonial "My name is Charles, and I wanted to thank you for your personal attention (and answers to my extra questions), your support team are exceptional and made me feel like a real valued customer. Keep it up and thanks again!" Charles, Canada
Customer Testimonial
Model 760 I just received my Burr King 760 the other day . . . Thank you for a quality American Made Machine . . .Steve . . Thanks for taking the time and letting me Demo the machine at the V-Twin Show in Cincinnati, Ohio . . . In closing, please ad me to the list of satisfied customers and Burr King users. . Sincerely Jim Kostelic Team Owner JMK PRO RACING Canfield, Ohio JMK PRO RACING Competes on the AMA Grand National Motorcycle Series. Jim Kostelic, Team Owner JMK RACING, Canfield OH
Customer Testimonial
Hi James, I want to thank you again on the great service you gave me. It's hard to find a company that takes the time to help solve problems and assist customers as you showed with me. I don't know if your company has any service feedback rating things, but if you need my support, let me know. A+ in my book.
Thanks again . .
Larry
Customer Testimonial Model 1272 I bought my Burr King 1272 through Tru-Grit, on the advice of the late Bob Engnath, while visiting L.A. in 1987. He gave his machine heaps and obtained personal grinding rates far in access of most in those times and probably since. My machine (less motor) was shipped to me later that year when I returned to England. I also purchased as an extra, a flat grinding platen to go with it. On setup, I fitted a 1 HP sealed single phased induction motor. In 1993 I emigrated here to New Zealand - my machine came with me! The year is 2008 and I have just had to remove the motor end cap and blow out the accumulated dust and give the centrifugal switch a squirt of Dry Lube. Apart from this, the occasional wheel truing and platen grind, nothing has ever been done to it. As a full-time maker, I have worked with it most days and it has helped me in producing some of the most exquisite pieces of my career. It was expensive at the time and more so with the international shipping, import duty etc. but hey, what price can you put on one of the most robust and versatile machines on the planet? In my working experience - to buy a Burr King has been one of the best investments of my life. John Faulkner . Gisborne . North Island . New Zealand |
Burr King 1220 Tamara Lane Warsaw, MO 65355
(660) 438-8998 (800) 621-2748 info@burrking.com