[RussL.]

I have been carving "seriously" for a little over a year. For all intents and purposes I sharpen only by hand the seventy-some-odd gouges I have collected in that time.

During that time I read and watched all of the books, DVDs and videos on the subject. They all helped.

It is only recently that I have shown a decent amount of skill in my sharpening. That is to say, sometimes I'm happy with my results and sometimes I'm not. When I am not I put the tool aside and try again later or the next day.

I *am* getting better and I do believe that I can see the light at the end of the sharpening learning curve tunnel.

I have water stones, oil stones and diamond plates and depending on the tool I might use any combination... but really, I can see no need to go to power sharpening (as a hobby carver) unless it's just to learn yet another new skill or buy another tool. :-)

As others have said, frequent stropping goes a long, long way to keeping the need to use the stones and whatnot quite infrequent.

RussL.

[FK]

One additional very helpfull item is a jewelers Loop to magnify the edge. It is very revealing to watch the fine edge form up while progressing through he finer and finer grits. It also shows very clearly the rough edge that you missed or did not work on long enough.

I also use a black Sharpie marker on the tool edge (expecially gouges) this will give nice visual feedback on how you are progressing to form the correct angles and motions of the tool vs. sharpening stone.

Regards,
FK

[revnate]

What DVD would you recommend for a fairly new carver that would cover sharpening. I can sharpen my knife, but not my chisels.

[Mark Gargac]

Originally Posted by revnate

What DVD would you recommend for a fairly new carver that would cover sharpening. I can sharpen my knife, but not my chisels.

Hi Nate,

The best DVD that I have seen on sharpening is by: Everette Ellenwood, called "Sharpening Simplified" This is an excellent DVD and covers everything from sharpening posistion, to gouges, veiners, flat chisels, micro tools, and those pesky V-tool.'s. This guy teaches you from the ground-up, which I feel is the best, and only way, to correctly learn to sharpen carving tools before attemping any power sharpening techiques. You should be able to find this DVD at most carving supply houses.

[RussL.]

I have learned something useful and yet different from each of the DVDs/videos about sharpening from ones by Chris Pye, Ivan Whillock and Nora Hall.

RussL.

[revnate]

Thanks Mark! I will get one. I have started the tutorial finally. I am just getting into it. I am learning a lot. Thanks!

[Jim-Iowa]

Not at all sure how long it takes! I have been doing it for over 30 yrs.
But just when you think you've got it, something can come along to set you back. I always thought I was getting my knives sharp.
But last week I remembered I had a 1" Denny blade that I had not set in a handle yet. I carved out a cigar shaped handle from walnut and set that blade in it and lightly stropped it. That thing sings as it effortlessly cuts through the wood. Oh Well Back to the drawing board!
Now I'm back to resharpening all my knives. I'll get it, but sometimes I'm slow to catch on.
Keep at it and it will come to you.

[buckbeans]

I worked in a salmon cannery in alaska one summer during the early 70's and found all the employees, about 60 to 70 ladies and gents all ages young and old who ALL knew how to sharpen a knife. They had the saying "No Sharpee No Money". I learned really fast over the first three of four days. The key to learning is to knowing how to keep that angle constant and not to flip over to the other side until an edge is established.
One rookie who couldn't get it got frustrated and declared he would give 50 bucks to anyone who could show him. The janitor told him he would do it for 50 bucks and a case of beer. The rookie went for it.
The old man then had his wrist bound with wood splints and electrical tape so he would not torque his wrist. He had to keep this on until he got the knack of moving his hand to and fro without turning his wrist. He was given a short straight blade knife without a curve tip and a heavy cutting angle. They laid it flat on the stone and told him to start rubbing until it lost a quarter inch in width. When he got it they gave him another knife and told him to do the same thing except this time laying the blade in the opposite direction. 6 to 7 knives later he gained "INSTANT AND SUSTAINED MUSCLE MEMORY".
Nice story for my kids who live in a disposable society.

[cats pa]

Originally Posted by buckbeans

I worked in a salmon cannery in alaska one summer during the early 70's...

Out on the end of the Homer spit, I think there used to be a charter outfit called Captain Mike's, and they'd take you out to camp on one of the little islands that are dotted all over Kachemak bay. They had a dude there that cut fish faster than anyone I've seen before or since. I was about 12 or 13, full of energy, but I stood there and watched him until my dad said it was really time to go. I couldn't even see his knife unless he put it down for a minute. Wow.

Parker

[Kenny_S]

I am still learning how to sharpen knives and gouges. Like Jim-Iowa, I thought I had my knives sharp but,,,,,,,,,,,,, Always learning!