Sharpening for different woods?

[Paulgn108]

I just start carving this year and a lot of this is just new to me. But I have gotten the impression the some people sharpen their chisels differently for different woods. One way for Basswood or other softer woods and another for harder woods. Is this the case? If so how differently? Or did I just get the tail end of a conversation and not the full story.

[BobD]

Some people do add a steeper bevel to their tools when carving harder woods. Since most people use a mallet when carving harder woods, a steeper bevel is more durable.

A little background: The steeper the bevel, the harder it is to push the tool through the wood...conversly, the more shallow the bevel, the easier it is to push the tool through the wood. But as the bevel gets more shallow, it is less supported, and dulls or chips easier.

For gouges, Chris Pye suggests a relatively shallow outside bevel for all woods, but he adds a micro bevel to the inside. This allows several things to happen.
1. it is easier to use the gouge upside down to get a round shape
2. It is still easy to push through wood
3. It is more supported than a single shallow bevel

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Paulgn108

I just start carving this year and a lot of this is just new to me. But I have gotten the impression the some people sharpen their chisels differently for different woods. One way for Basswood or other softer woods and another for harder woods. Is this the case? If so how differently? Or did I just get the tail end of a conversation and not the full story.

What are you carving? what kind of wood? I personally carve 90% basswood and butternut....and prefer a very shallow grind....same as my knives, I like to sharpen flat from back edge to blade without a secondary bevel, naturally that doesn't apply to chisels...my way, lots of other ways!