Sharpening Problems

[James A]

I have a tool that I have had to sharpen, but I have hit a snag. The tool feels sharp and cuts with the grain good, but when I start to cut against the grain, it doesn't want to cut. What would cause this?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

how about the bevel? I sharpen flat from back of blade to edge...

[Terry Vance]

none of my tools like to cut "against the grain". if the tool is sharp it should cut "with the grain" & "across the grain". they tend to dig in "with the grain" and a breakout or a serious accident is about to happen. ie...cutting yourself!!!

[Eddy-Smiles]

Hi-Ho's probably given you your answer. If your bevel is rounded it will try to dig in instead of slicing through.

[James A]

I guess what I ment was it has truble going across the grain. It might be that I am rounding it. I'll try to sharpen it again.

[FK]

The edge is not sharp, most likely you have a wire edge or incomplete sharp edge. A sharp rounded (dubbed) edge will easily cut across grain.

Get a magnifier eye loop and check the edge under a lamp,,,this will show very easily where the problem is on your sharpening adventure.]

Cutting paper or shaving your arm is not a good indication of a sharp edge,,,,your test of cutting across grain is one of the best methods of testing a wood carving tool.


Regards,
FK

[Eddy-Smiles]

So perhaps you have both a "dubbed" and "dull" blade???

[Kenny_S]

either not enough bevel or tool isn't sharpen enough. When I sharpen, and I am not that great at it, I test on the end graon of a block. If it is smooth and shinny, then sharpe enough but if there are little tears a long with smooth cut then it needs more time spent on sharpening.

[James A]

I have a question to add to my other. I only have up to a Hard arkansas stone, and was wondering if a black hard would get my tools any sharper.

[pallin]

If you are using only stones for sharpening, you probably need a leather strop for final honing.