Yet another sharpening question

[mikeg]

I hear people saying, sharpen at a 15 degree angle or 20 degree, or whatever. My question is, is there a device to measure the angle other than a protractor? Raise the back the width of a dime is easy to do, but a specific degree amount is a bit tougher.

mikeg

[BobD]

With chisels, it's easy with one of the sharpening jigs, but for knives...I don't know an easy way.
Bob

[carver6]

The thickness of a dime is about what I've always been told was about the correct angle. May be wrong but that is about the angle I've always used and it seems to work pretty well.

[BobD]

Your sharpening angel depends on a lot of things too (wow that was specific )

A lower angle slides through the wood easier, but is a lot more fragile of an edge. It works best for softer woods. A higher angle means that you have to push a little more to get it through the wood, but it is a stronger edge. This works best for hardwoods. Dave Bennett from Flexcut said they sharpen to a 20 degree angle because that is the best all purpose angle and gives people the flexibility to put their own 15 degree or 25 degree edge on the knife...

Hope this helps.

Bob

[AlArchie]

As Bob mentioned, the sharpening jigs work really well for chisles....they are not expensive as you can pick up a General brand for under 10 bucks, and most harware tool sections carry their own brands for around that same tag. Or you can pay a bit more and get one specifically for carvign tools from most carving supply houses for around 20 to 30 bucks.

The recommendation of a 15 to 20 degree angle on your carving knives is pretty darn subjective, and will depend on what you find to be the best angle for you. It can only be determined by trying to sharpen the blade yourself, adapting to what works best for you and then sticking with that. All the jigs in the world won't help you get this hands on feel down properly.

If you watch experienced carvers sharpen their blades, I'd be willing to bet that not a one will whip out a jig to attatch his knife to. They have all gone through the process of learning the best way for them.....may have, like myself, even screwed up a few blades before they got the hang of it. Don't be afraid to try...go at it until you get it!

Keep trying to sharpen by eye.....the main thing is to learn to hold the knife at a constant angle to the stone as you sharpen. That is probably the most difficult thing to learn, but if you grasp the knife the exact same way each time you pick it up to sharpen, it becomes second nature and very soon you won't even have think about it. Like riding a bike, it becomes second nature. I kinda grasp it between my thumb and the up from the first knuckle of my index finger. I've just learned that this locks the blade in line. I usually hold the stone in my left hand between thumb and first two fingers, keeping the tips of thumb and fingers down below the top surface of the stone. This allow me to 'slice' the blade across the top of the stone. I usually slice working down from 10 strokes, unless my blade really needs repair. No need to push hard on the stone, a gentle touch seems to work best and helps you maintain the proper grip on both the knife and the stone. Pushing too hard is probably one of the biggest mistakes beginners make.....keep a vary light touch as you are not trying to remove a lot of metal from the blade, and taking your time is far more important than trying to force it.

There just isn't any specific instructions you can get verbally.....maybe you can find someone near you who is good at sharpening and you can watch his technique. I teach Scouts knife and axe work and they catch on very easily once they see it done properly. that's not to say my way is the only way...it works for me.

Al

[Chizeler]

I just ordered this video, hope its woth the $$

http://www.ellenwoodarts.com/video.htm

[BobD]

Chizler,
Let us know what you think. I think I'd rather sit down with a couple of the guys on this board. I think they have sharpening down flat!

Bob

[quote author=BobD link=board=Beginner;num=1095434788;start=0#6 date=09/17/04 at 14:01:26]Chizler,
Let us know what you think. I think I'd rather sit down with a couple of the guys on this board. I think they have sharpening down flat!

Bob[/quote]

Yeah, but remember that some of us have been doing it for decades (32 years since I got my first pocketknife and stones) and practice, practice, and more practice is what it takes to get the grip, angle, and motion down to muscle memory.

As Al said, finding someone who has sharp knives/tools and learning by watching and asking questions is the best way to learn.

Chizeler,

I recently met Ev Ellenwood at the carve-fest in Fairbault MN. and I think his video will be a great guide. He really knows how to get sharp edges on knives and tools.

[squbrigg]

I learned sharpening at the school of.....'Keep practicing , mess up a few blades, buy good quality stones and practice, practice, and practice until you get it right!' After 34 years of practice, it is still 'work' but I am getting better at it.

The nice thing about sharpening, is once you get the blade angle set the angle you want or that works for you, you don't have to sharpen it again, just hone it once in a while. Unless you drop it, loan it to your buddy to open a beer can with, or your kids borrow it to tighten a screw with! > None of which I recommend.

Bob

[Chizeler]

OK I tried to edit this post and lost it so I will do another..

BobD I will do that I heard the video is really good....

I would love to learn by hands on but I work alot, have three kids and can only carve when I can fit it in which doesn't work for a class. I also do not think I live around any of you guys but would love some hands on help.

If any one lives near Maryland and would like to help a young buck let me know, If I can I would love to hook up and learn anything .