This is the not the grinder I grew up with ,but very close.The one I grew up with was true bicycle style power,verses this photo's  treadle power.The variable speed of the bicycle action, and the slow moving wheel made for a pretty sharp edge.We used to use this to sharpen everything from axes, hoes, machetes, knives ,chisels, etc.or just about anything that required a sharp edg eon a farm.. It worked pretty darn well, too, as I remember.I would be interested to hear if anyone else has used these or remembers them.