Sharp tools are so important

Colin_Partridge · #1 05-28-2004, 07:15 AM

Goodmorning,
I instucted to my carving group last night we were carving a woodspirit in Sumac. Sumac is a tree that is considered a weed in this part of the country it grows everywhere. Sumac is a very beautiful wood, the sap wood is pure white and the heart wood is a bright yellow. Well enough of the science lesson and back on topic. I was amazed at how many of the class had really dull tools. I dont mean a little dull I mean really dull. Some of their knifes and gouges wouldnt cut butter. This project was supposed to be a one night to completion project but with most of them this was not possible just because of the dullness of the tools. There were also many bandaids being used another idication of dull tools. I have always thought that my sharpening techniques had a lot to be desired but I now know that I do pretty well. (Other than V tools that is still have problems with them). I just thought that I would mention this and wonder how many of you are carving with dull tools? What I noticed is that carving was such a chore to some students it should be enjoyable and relaxing not stressfull.
Just thought this was interesting and how many people in your clubs have dull tools.
Colin

dart · #2 05-28-2004, 08:47 AM

Good question, Colin. I never sharpen my tools until I am going to use them. I was keeping them shaving sharp but kept cutting myself too often. So now when I am going to use a certain tool, I sharpen it then use it. The same goes for my kitchen knives too. I think they have a mind of their own? They all want to jump up and bite me!

I keep plenty of bandaids around because I never know when I'll need one. None of my tools are actually dull. I just don't keep them razor sharp anymore.

#3 05-28-2004, 10:57 AM

The first lesson my father taught me was that a sharp knife cuts what you want to cut and a dull knife cuts you. I have always carried a hard arkansas in my tacklebox, toolbox, and carving tool box for honing pocketknives, fillet knives, and work knives to a razor edge.

Nancy_G · #4 05-28-2004, 03:31 PM

Remember that there are some people out there who don't know what sharp is. I carved my first 13 Santas with a brand new carving knife. I assumed it was as sharp as a wood carving knife was supposed to be ... after all, it was brand new. I knew it wasn't as sharp as my kitchen knives, but .........
Can you imagine what I felt when some grand man took that knife from my hand and SHARPENED it?
So let's remember that beginner carvers need to be SHOWN what sharp is.
Now my carving knives, and my kitchen knives, are a little bit better. I still wish that grand man lived next door

jamesfa · #5 05-28-2004, 07:06 PM

a sharp tool always does a better job,and when carving i will strop the knife or knives i'm using after about 15-20 mins. of use.
i am trying to convince our carving group to invest in a decent sharpening system.

MelNM · #6 05-28-2004, 08:28 PM

I'm constantly sharpening my tools even if they don't need it. Must be theraputical for me. I for one am as guilty as Nancy when I first started carving, I didn't sharpen my knife for a while, needless to say I cut my self more starting out, than I do now. I wear a glove once in a while, usually after I cut myself, and the boss lady chews me out for not wearing it.

Texas_Jim · #7 05-28-2004, 09:17 PM

I think Nancy had it right, that new carvers need to be shown what a sharp knife or gouge cuts like. The first time I bought a Pfiel gouge and started using it on some basswood I thought, I've gone to heaven. From then on, I evaluate my sharpening skills with that experience.
Usually I color the bevels and strop the gouge for a few seconds on my Tormek. As you folks know, coloring the bevel with a permanent marker helps you know when you are duplicating the bevel while you strop or hone. Each stroke should remove the color uniformily (sp ?) across the bevel. I usually then test the edge by slicing through old magazine pages.

squbrigg · #8 05-29-2004, 07:56 PM

I learned early in my carving life, that a sharp tool is a delight to use and a dull tool will turn a new carver off quicker than anything.

Get some good stones, leather and honing compound and practice till it's natural as shaving. That's how to tell if it's sharp....shave a patch with it!

Bob

muffy · #9 06-02-2004, 08:20 AM

HI COLLIN,I KNOW THAT MY QUESTION IS A LITTLE OFF TRACK IN REF. TO YOUR MESSAGE ON SHARP TOOLS BUT COULD YOU ANSWER ME THIS...PLEASE......IS THE WOOD YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT (SUMAC ) THE SAME AS I KNOW IT ....( PIOSON SUMAC)???????? I LIVE AS FAR NORTH AS YOU CAN GET IN THE STATES AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF (POISON SUMAC) UP HERE TO USE. I WOULDN'T WANT TO GET INTO A MESS OF THE STUFF AND GET MYSELF INTO TROUBLE..THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. ....... DAN....

AlArchie · #10 06-02-2004, 09:01 AM

I think he's refering to the staghorn sumac.....not the poison stuff. Staghorn is the one with the clusters of reddish brown berry-like fruit, and the pinneate leaves. doesn't seem to grow big enough around here to be of any use in carving, though, so maybe he has another species in mind. The staghorn has a very pithy core that can be pushed out easily with a stiff wire or thin rod. Makes good stems for pipestone caumet pipes, though!

Al