help with sharpening

[gpp333]

Hello,

My son and I are learning to carve and we could use some advice about sharpening. There are so many sharpening products out there that we’re sort of feeling lost as far as what we need, so we’d appreciate it if someone could suggest a basic list of what we need to sharpen chisels. I’ve searched on-line and in various forums and understand the basics of sharpening, but don’t understand some things, such as the differences between oil, water, and diamond stones, and how many different grits we need. I’d like to keep it basic so we can learn how to do it the right way and then move on to the more advanced stuff. Thanks.



George

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, George. If you do a search on sharpening, you will find a lot of posts on the subject. You can look at the various sharpening systems as well as stones and hones.

[BRIAN D]

George, you are about to open Pandora's Box. As you will find there are almost as many ways to sharpen as there are people on this board, & most have variations of the SCARY SHARP. Here is a place to start, Getting an Edge with Waterstones, Oilstones, and Sandpaper
& you will probably have your own version by the time you get done. You do not have to spend alot of money to achive a sharp edge.

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum, George. Read through the messages here: Woodcarving Tools, Technology & Sharpening - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board

Claude

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't think new carvers can beat the "Scary Sharp" method...do a google search...its cheap, good way to start and learn how, then later go to the expensive stuff if you want, I mean about 4 sheets of sandpaper...just doesn't get much cheaper than that lol....just my opinion!

[Mitchell]

Moved to the Tools/Sharpening forum.....

Here's an old link to sharpening questions: Sharpening - How long to learn?

Also look under "Similar Threads" to see previous discussions to a similar topic.

[sitesby]

Hi George and Welcome.
As the others have eluded too there are so many sharpening methods out there that work for one carver but not for another.
Example, I like to use a 400 then 600 grit wet sandpaper just before finishing on a hand strop. I am the only one that I know uses thes method, but it works for me.
I personally use an oil stones for rough, medium, fine, then move to the sandpaper then strop. I use cheap 3 in 1 oil instead of actual honing oil.
Also to touch up an edge, I have a set of ceramic slip stones of various shapes.
Good luck with you search, I just started using what I could put my hands on and then made it work.

Jerry

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I think Rockler has a scary sharp kit, comes with a solid piece and all the paper you will need to start. I will try to find you a link.

Dave

[Dan S]

For my money I'd buy a good combination stone (Norton makes a good one). Medium and fine grit and make a good strop. That should last you a bit. You can make slipstones by wrapping dowels with very fine sandpaper.
I do well finding stones at swapmeets. I usualy spend less than 5.00 for a good stone. Avoid those that are really dished out. You want a flat stone. Old razor hones are also really nice and can be found quite cheap.

Dan

[ocd]

Sharpening is truly one of the most important issues we face, a dull tool requires more force, which means less control over the tool.

The folks on this list converted me from my Neanderthal slicing the hair off my arm to holding the blade under a bright light to see if it reflects. You want no reflection off the tip.

Flexcut's little strop set up is excellent. Most of the time this does if for me, but I did make a larger strop from some maple, leather and contact cement.

Leonard Lee's book on sharpening, I think, is the best. You can get it used from Amazon for cheap, probably. Cover waterstones, etc. But, again, once your tools are "in shape" all you should ever need to do is strop them. Amazing, but true.

ocd