[sgcz75b]

Rob Crosman has some great youtube vids on plane and chisel sharpening. He goes further than me with water stones, but I don't see the need for myself. Also look at the Trend youtube videos with Jim Barry.

I found that for 50 years I was working far too hard at it using the old supposed 'tried and true" techniques that were difficult and profanity-producing. Plus, modern diamond plates make it easy. Not only for planes and chisels, but carbide router bits and forstner drill bits, and bevel edge garden tools. I've given away all my old Arkansas stones to someone who has lots of time and prays to the mysterious Sharpening God for results,

I now use a Trend 300/1000 grit diamond stone then followed by a 3x8 piece of leather rough-side up with green rubbing compound. Easy, fast, and very sharp.

Even taking new chisels and planes and flattening the back takes no longer than 10-15 minutes with frequent sips of coffee. Once the back is flattened it will rarely be necessary to do it again. Edge touch up is a matter of a few minutes at most.

Try working not so hard and you may see results faster. Good luck with a quick shoulder healing.

Steve

 

[sgcz75b]

I don't watch youtube about things like that, so just what are you supposed to be gaining by flattening the backs of your chisels?

Sharp chisels.

Try watching the recommended youtube channels and you'll understand. The back is as important as the bevel edge. The bevel doesn't exist in isolation. It's an important concept to understand and will help you with all edged implements.

 

[sgcz75b]

Do chisel manufacturers recommend flattening the backs?

Most do and/or they expect you to know to do so. Some put out youtube videos to show you how to do it.

Try watching -you might gain knowledge.

 

[sgcz75b]

Unless there's a noticeable convex bulge on the flat of the chisel, you only need flatten the 1/4th to 1/2 inch (at most) edge next to the top bevel. Everything else is wasted energy and accomplishes nothing.

That's what I mean about new techniques surpassing the drudgery of past methods with faster, better results.

If you enjoy doing all the extra work, you can polish the back of the chisel until you have a mirror, but it does nothing to give you a sharper edge.

I once would have done all that work thinking it was necessary. Now I know I was wrong, wasted time and energy doing it, and now my chisels, planes, and knives are sharper than ever and I can get on to the work.

 

[sgcz75b]

Has worked for me for years, am very satisfied with the results, and not about to change. Have realized tho, that I believe you all are doing things differently than me. You all seem to be using your chisels by hand. I don't, I use them for carving, and whack them with various sizes and weights of carving mallets.

I'm curious. What does it matter whether a chisel is used by hand or whacked with a mallet as to the edge sharpness and flattening the chisel back?

I can understand perhaps a different angle of bevel for a relative degree of edge strength, but don't understand why a sharp edge on a chisel primarily used for hand work would not apply to a wood carver's whacked chisel?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[sgcz75b]

Paul Sellers, one of the masters of woodworking, takes a chisel bought at Aldi's, and sharpens it.

Shows that ability and knowledge, available to anyone, surpasses the myth that great price and name brands don't exactly correlate to quality.

Watch and learn from a master.

Steve

 

[sgcz75b]

Dunno, the only way I use chisels is by whacking them with a mallet. What I do know is, it works for me, and I'm not gonna change now.

Now that I can believe.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[sgcz75b]

I use the Aldi chisels Paul Sellers recommended, and they are awesome. They hold an edge and sharpen very well. My only negative is that they are metric in sizes...but that is minor. They have nice wood handles and long beveled blades...perfect for bench work. The other drawback is you have to buy them when they make them available, which in the USA seems to be about 3 times a year.

I have an Aldi's near me and I'm always looking for the chisels to appear to pick up a couple of sets one for me and one to sharpen and give away.

 

[sgcz75b]

Another great thing about Seller's videos is there's no blasting music, he's confident without being an obnoxious woodworking jerk, he enjoys what he does, and is a natural teacher that loves his subject and helping others.

Long Live Paul Sellers.

 

[sgcz75b]

"In terms of sharpening the edges to a polished finish there is value in that."

Great write-up Barry and you are absolutely correct. Polished edges are a necessity to a fully sharpened tool.

But polishing more than the edges is an exercise in shine without benefit to edge sharpness.

You seem like the type of fellow who would enjoy this book.

"The Perfect Edge : The Ultimate Guide to Sharpening for Woodworkers" by Ron Hock.

Lays to rest many sharpening myths and poor sharpening techniques that still prevail in some circles.

Best to you,
Steve





Steve