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Re: How to Sharpen things.

Author: johnt
Date: 2011-04-14 02:00

Robin,

Don't put the hex on sandpaper until you've tried it. Plane & chisel maestros have been using this "Scary Sharp" method for decades. The tool doesn't care. Combine the "SS" with a chromium oxide impregnated leather strop & Roger Miller's AH Rod & you've got a sharpening system that will put a proper edge on any knife, let alone a reed knife: DHG/wedge/single bevel.

Low tech & inexpensive? Yes. Effective? double Yes. Do I have an axe to grind? Oui, mon ami (-;

Zahid Naqvi, Moderator of Sawmill Creek Forum, has this to say inre the "methods" http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?48933-Waterstones-vs-sandpaper
Pros:
Scary Sharp
1. Don't require flattening.
2. Easy cleanup, all you need is a simple swipe with a paper towel after each use.
3. Cost. I use the same sheets of sand paper for at least 20-30 sharpening sessions. For me that's a years worth of sharpening. Keep in mind we are talking honing only, the primary bevel is still done on a belt sander.
4. Storage. I have three strips of corian 4"x16" each with a different grit of paper, I stack them one on top of the other and can easily put them on a shelf or anywhere. Compare that with the waterstone setup: water, tub/bath, stones.
5. I use a honing jig and can use the whole sheet, I don't have to worry about the wheel or the jig rolling on the stone/sharpening surface, or slipping off it.
6. The variety of grits available is very broad and you can experiment with them at a very low cost. I have used drywall screen in a scary sharp setup to flatten the bottom of a hand plane. Try finding an equivalent grit in a waterstone .
7. The size and geometry of the sharpening surface is flexible, you can join papers in any configuration you like depending on your need. Try gluing a water stone on the bed of your jointer to flatten a hand plane

Water stones
1. Once you invest in the system you are set for many years to come.
2. They cut faster than sandpaper, and never slows down with use.
3. They are less sensitive to the blade angle, i.e. you can't gouge them when freehanding (well you can if you really want to )

Cons:
Sandpaper
1. A fresh paper definitely cuts faster, it sharply looses speed in the beginging but stabalizes after 4-6 sharpenings.
2. You have to buy new paper periodically.
3. Can't use them free hand (atleast I can't) even small variations in angle can gouge the paper rendering it useless. With freehand you can only pull, no can do push stroke.
4. The gluing process has to be done with care, either spray glue or the best option is to buy pre-glued sheets.

Waterstones
1. Requires a water source.
2. High initial cost.
3. Needs a bigger storage space, almost a dedicated sharpening area is required.
4. Needs some upfront planning, i.e. you can't pll them off the shelf and start sharpening, you have to soak them for a while before you can use them. Some people keep them permanently in a bucket of water, which further increases the storage space requirements.
5. Needs a water source, and creates a clay slurry that needs cleaning.
6. Needs flattening.

Best,

john

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How to Sharpen things. new

RobinDesHautbois

2011-04-04 23:52