Sharpening
(Plain and Simple)
I understand tool sharpening as a two stage process--grinding and honing. (Any honing compound will work.) Grinding is accomplished by a number of ways using a grinding wheel, a belt grinder, sandpaper, or various stones so that the edge is shaped by removing larger amounts of metal. Honing is accomplished by the use of the buffing wheel, leather, or paper so that the cutting edge is applied to the shaped edge by removing very small amounts of metal.
I am of the opinion that it is necessary to grind tools from time to time. As a tool dulls metal breaks away right at the very edge. Buffing or honing will replace that keen edge by removing very small amounts of metal right at the very edge thus the bevel with repeated dulling and honing becomes shorter and therefore blunter. The tool may indeed be sharp but the edge is at a steeper angle and will not cut through the wood with the same original ease. This is especially true when carving softer woods such as basswood where a thinner edge is used. So from time to time the edge needs to be thinned down by grinding.
Having said this, I want to acknowledge that many carvers do over-grind while others over-buff. Also, there are probably as many theories on sharpening as there are woodcarvers.
I don't have any secret method for sharpening tools. Sharpening is a two step process and it is very simple. Grinding and honing. Both can be done with power or by hand. I would recommend a diamond stone for the grinding process and a leather strop for the honing process. Grinding is the process of shaping the blade. Honing is the process of putting the final cutting edge on. Keep the knife flat while grinding so that you maintain a low bevel. When honing, also keep the blade flat on the leather. The leather compresses and as it comes back up at the edge of the blade it creates the honed cutting edge and secondary bevel. How much to grind or hone? Honing leaves a shiny surface. Grind until the shiny is gone then put the shiny back on. It's as simple as that, but like most things, takes lots and lots of practice.
I am glad you like the knife. Just sharpen it the same way you sharpen any other quality knife. It might just take more time is all. Sharpening is a two step process, grinding and honing. I use a 1" sanding belt to do the grinding and a floppy wheel (cloth buffing wheel) to do the honing. You can do it with a stone and leather strop. I recommend a diamond stone. The knife has a shiny area right at the edge. Keep the blade flat and grind until the shiny is gone then hone to put the shiny back on. Simple as that.
Having trouble keeping the knife sharp? I find that a newly sharpened tool, especially if the edge is very thin will need breaking in. The term "breaking in" means that a small portion of the material is worn away and then renewed as in the breaking in of an engine when the metal parts wear together and then mesh more smoothly. The next time you go through the sharpening process try rehoning. Try not to let the edge get too bad before rehoning. A couple of times and the problem may be eliminated. Thanks.
Ron Wells
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Send Email rbwells@eritter.net
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