Blood Sacrifice (Part2) - Japanese Water Stone

[billgage]

Well as I mentioned in my other post, I finished my chess set for my dad. It was all hand carved from basswood. The dark pieces were stained with a dark walnut stain and the light pieces were just sealed. I also coated the pieces with a polyurethane to help protect them. I also had some help making a nice maple and walnut board that folded into a box to hold the pieces. The set was well received by my father.

Then comes my fathers day present a set of Japanese water stones one, 800/4000 combination water stone and a 6000 single grit water stone. I have to say I was very excited. I had never sharpened on Japanese stones, and I have to say I was overwhelmed at just the combination stone. 4000 grit gave my knife a mirror like polish. However...

I didn't get to try out the 6000 grit stone because as I was testing my blade on the crosscut of a piece of basswood. I did a usual stop cut and then tried a cross cut into the stop cut. I must not have expected the cut to go so well because the cut went clean through the stop, the rest of the wood and into my pointer finger on my left hand. OUCH!

This cut seemed to be worse than the stab into my palm. Or I have become hyper sensitive to cuts because this one brought tears to my eyes. It was very upsetting. Direct pressure seemed to work well, and rather than going to the emergency room, we just wrapped to band aids around it. No seap through. After some self-chastisement and psuedo-profanity (I don't swear). Closest I got was saying "stupid". I think I will be ok. Again wearing my glove would have been nice.

I struggled between the euphoria of the results of the Japanese water stones and the shock and disappointment of cutting myself badly.

I hope I get the feeling back in the side and tip of my pointer finger. I still haven't gotten the feeling back in the side of my pinki. I don't think my left hand can take much more of this. Greater caution will be taken in the future!

[Claude]

Sorry to hear about the injury - glove might have helped, if it was a slice instead of a poke... I threw my glove into the washing machine with a load of clothes Saturday, then sat down at my bench and decided to do a little touch up on a carving...wow - it was mentally difficult to hold the knife on the wood without that glove on. I managed, though, by planning each movement of the knife to make sure nothing of me was in the way when the knife slipped. Was sure glad to get my (clean) glove back after a couple hours...

Claude

[Dan S]

Sorry about the cut. After a while you will become desentized (your whole hand will be numb) or you will get tired of the razzing and avoid the cuts. Our carving club has the blood bucket. If you cut yourself you put in a dollar. If you need sutures it's five dollars but you get an award and a lot of flack. We now have a very cheap but safe group of carvers...or a pack of liars!
On the bright side you know that water stones can give you one heck of an edge. There is a book titled "Sharpening With Japanese Water Stones" that will tell you more about them if you like. I have a few and hop between those and my oil stones.

heal quickly!,
Dan

[BeckyLil]

Dude, you've got to get that glove on!

I'm glad your gift came out well - I was expecting to read one side was black and the other red - bloodstained.

I hope you heal up quickly and find the feeling back.

[chip]

Bill,

Sorry to hear about your injury.
Left hand experience can be a harsh teacher.
I sport a couple band aides as we type
(not from wood working though but please don’t ask).

Maybe we as a group can goto school from your misfortune.
I read the Japanese technique is to bevel only one side of the tool.
… chisel, gouge AND knife. The other side is polished mirror flat.
I wonder which technique you use?

Chip

[billgage]

Originally Posted by chip

I read the Japanese technique is to bevel only one side of the tool.
… chisel, gouge AND knife. The other side is polished mirror flat.
I wonder which technique you use?Chip

Well Chip I am new to the Japanese water stones, but I have to say when I started using it I got the same good willies when I saw a Tormek grinder being used.

I had no conception that I could get edges could be so sharp.

Anyhow, to answer your question. I am going with the same technique I use for regular water stones and diamond stones. Both sides for now. I do build up a slurry on the stones as I have read and it works wonderfully. The edge of my knives get a mirror polish to them and it helps also in seeing any tiny nicks or imperfections on the blade. You can even see the burr it is so smooth.

I am at work right now, and so I think I'd better stop before my keyboard gets damaged from the drool. But I also have to say, I have only used the 800 and 4000 grit stones, I still have a 6000 that I haven't tried yet. *giggles gleefully inside*

Seriously though, I just enjoy carving with a sharp edge on my tools.

(definition of good willies - The tickling feeling of excitement inside that makes you feel like you need to go.)

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Sorry to hear about your injury, hope you heal up real quick !! From here on in, please wear your glove !!

Dave

[tomrsey]

Sorry to hear about your injury. I hope all is back to normal soon. I haven't tried Japanese water stones. I will have to look up the book Dan referred to.

[chip]

Bill,

Sounds like your technique produces very scary results.

I don’t own super-fine-grit stones but achieve terrifying results using various grit sand paper and emery cloth.

Here is the link that talks about the Japanese technique …
Polish one side of a knife to a flat mirror finish then work the bevel side until a small burr appears then remove that burr by again polishing the flat side.

Chip

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/page.asp?content_id=15360