[Stryder7]

Hi all... I am using the Sharpening Board that was shown in Woodcarving Ill... a few months ago... I'm doing ok with it but I was wondering how much pressure I need to put on the tools when sharpening them...I am using quite a bit of pressure right now and am tiring my hands out quickly... do I really need to use that much pressure?? or would a little less pressure work as well...

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Marianne

[cerndog]

I once heard someone say in terms of sharpening a knife, use as much pressure as you would to write with a ball point pen, firm, but not hard. Otherwise, you will wear your edges down to a nub!

mc

[GeorgiaCarver]

Are you talking about a leather strop? If so, don't push too hard or you will round the edge.

If talking about a stone or sand paper, once you have a sharp edge I would learn to strop with a leather strap. I use my strop almost 100% of the time only resharpening with a stone once every 2-3 years.

Hope this helps. I agree with the preassure used to write with a pen.

[Stryder7]

thanks for your quick answers... they helped out a lot...

Marianne