Sharpening tools

[Artsyladee]

OK, I am a new carver and am up against my first "I don't know if I can do this right" challenge: sharpening! Some of my tools have gotten dull and there are so many ways to sharpen them it seems: strop, stone, oil, water, mechanical sharpeners, etc. I did see some very good advice in the other thread on this, but still feel a little like I am way over my head.

My brother-in-law is amazing at sharpening kitchen knives, so I was going to ask him to show me how he does it. He uses oil. I guess what I am wondering is...will I be able to apply that to sharpening some of these different shaped blades on my tools?

I also tried some internet searches, but it seems like there are a bunch of different ways and of course, each site has it's own "This is the only way to do it" feel. What do you experienced carvers like? Do you use different methods for different tools?

[blanchard65]

I am beginner myself and when I needed a knife sharpened I sent it to little shavers. I have address if you need it. I figured I would start with sharp knife and knew what to do with one than start with one I am trying to figure out how to sharpen. once I knew what sharp was I could go from there. The old timers here can quide you in sharpening but like I said find out what a sharp knife is first. It cost 3 dollars and shipping I didn't think it was a bad deal. Had it a year know and all I do is strop.

[Claude]

Sharpening is a personal decision sort of thing. There are many different ways to sharpen a knife. Most work equally well (stay away from the electric sharpener for kitchen knives!). If you go to Woodcarving Tools, Technology & Sharpening - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board and read through the threads, you will learn many of the ways that work and then you can decide which way seems best for you.

As blanchard65 said, once you get the knife sharp, then all you need to do is strop it every so often, unless you drop it on the floor or break the tip off while prying, etc.

Claude

[Donna_T]

Ditto all that's been said so far. I've tried about all the processes. Once the bevel is put on a knife correctly for wood carving, stropping should be all you need for awhile. Long while.

I've sharpened with an Arkansas stone (and baby oil), diamond sharpener, Emery cloth on a hard board, power strop, etc. and they all work. I've stropped with leather, micro film, and even a piece of cardboard with honing compound on it. All worked.

I can keep my gouges and knives sharp, but when I lose a sharp on a v-tool and stropping won't do the trick, or nick it, I give up and send it to Rick at Little Shavers or Dick Belcher in Ohio. They make it better!

Have fun learning.

Donna_T

[Donsexton]

I caution you to not use a mechanical sharpening device or motorized sharpening until you can master doing it with simple stones and a leather strop. I am not telling you to never use a grinder if you get a major chip you will need to grind it back or use a quality double cut bastard file. The bottom line you must take the edge to a thin wire edge that you can feel on the back of the bevel and remove that, then strop.

[jimmy joe]

All great advice . Blanchard had a good idea , find out what sharp is first . Stropping is 99% for me . Start by hand and if you want faster results move up to power stropping . All sorts of options there , from power strop wheel that goes on drill for $30 to units costing hundreds . All will do the job . Stropping compound of your choice . Practice your grinding on some of your less expensive tools and check the threads for info . Good luck . Jimmy

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Take a look at these videos.
Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Sharpening a Carving Knife

YouTube - sharpening secret #1

Dave

[Artsyladee]

OK, I have a question about this... I was in a new woodcrafting store in our area and was speaking to the clerk. I noticed there were no strops for sale, so I asked the clerk. She said if I had an old, quality belt, that would work fine....

Thoughts?

[hwallen48]

Welocme
Everybody is different and i guess its what ever floats your boat!!

[Donna_T]

I was once told that the best leather for strops was an old belt from a highway patrolman--they evidently are made from great leather. Trouble is, I've never been able to figure out a way to ask one for his belt without getting locked up! <grinning>

Seriously, a good leather belt, if wide enough, and roughed up with a rasp, and glued down to a good flat piece of wood, makes a great strop. So does an old barber's strop if you can find one at a flea market.

When I got my power sharpener, after about 8-9 years of carving and hand sharpening, I went to a junk store and bought a dozen old table knives--for $2 - 3. I used them to practice getting the bevel right, and getting them sharp. So, if and when you get power, later, practice on something that doesn't count as a carving tool.

Donna_T