[stephen crawford]

Help with a power Honing machine for gouges and vtools .... I don't use chisels
in my work. I'm thinking about the Work Sharp 3000 (is it worth it?)
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[gene messer]

Stephen .. I dont know what you specifically want because you could ask 100 carvers what they like to sharpen with and you would get 100 different answers ..

I myself love to use the ultimate sharpener by chipping away with the leather belt wheel .. but its a matter of taste .. Everyone is different ..

research carefully before buying and whatch videos of how each works and talk to those who have used them ..

Also .. check in search for sharpening threads that have been discussed her on this board and it will help you alot ..

Good luck

Gene

[tucker1931]

Stephan, funny this came up today. I was just watching Genes video after dinner tonite and he shows how he sharpens. Take a look at his Utube tutorials and you'll see it. As soon as I can save enough to buy gas, I'm gonna drive the 80 miles to Chipping Away and buy one of those for myself. Gene, thanks for showing that, you've sold me on it, do I need to buy an extra leather belt while I'm there, also what color stick do you use on it???
Cliff

[Iowa Carver]

Cliff, I have the chipping away machine and that's all I need to do to sharpen my knives. It's worth the money I think. I have the flexcut little profile thing and strop the inside of my gouges and v tools on those and strop the outside on the leather belt. Works slick.

You have to be careful using the sanding belts. You can cook the blade in a second and I did that on a Ron Wells knife... it didn't need it to begin with. The blade is so thin. But I did sharpen a pocket knife and a swiss army knife and did it slowly with water to dip next to it and then stropped it and they are perfect.

Other than the Ron Wells knife I ruined on the sanding belts, I have done nothing but strop the rest of my knives on the leather belt just like Gene does in his video and they stay wonderfully sharp and ready for carving in just a few seconds.

Corey

[tucker1931]

Corey, thanks bud, I'm definitely gonna get one of those. Dang, Gene goes thru the wood like it's balsa instead of bass wood. I have the two Wells knives like his and I just really need the leather.
Cliff

[BobD]

For gouges and V-tools, I like the Work Sharp. The see through wheel equipped with microgrit sandpaper hones fast, and then a few seconds on the leather wheel is all it takes for a sharp edge.

It's tougher to sharpen knives on the Work Sharp, though.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Iowa Carver]

Cliff, if it makes any difference, I prefer the Flexcut gold compound. Seems to work a little better for me. Well off to Chicago for 2 days for me!

Corey

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Personally, I do not like a flat wheel that is not reversable.. I have a Burke sharpener I got from Rick, and it does a good job. Still think beginners should start manually either with stones and strop or sandpaper with strop before ruining good tools with power...imho...(not to say anyone is a beginner, just a thought!)

[sbirkes]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

Personally, I do not like a flat wheel that is not reversable..

If the wheel uses sanding disks I agree. The only flat wheels I have use stones. Reversing doesn't see to be as big an issue if you are using stones.

[vacation212]

Flex cut gold and the leather strop works fine for me on both knives and gouges.