Steps to absolute sharpness.

[formariz 11,849]

Time to regrind some chisels so here is how I go about it.

first step is to grind a hollow ground bevel on slow water stone so as not to draw the temper.

 

 End result must be even , straight, and square to sides of chisel. Bevel angle depends on what chisel is used for. Softwoods and hardwoods require very different angles.

 

 

 

Next is preliminary honing on a Norton Fine India drenched in kerosene. 

 

Then I do a final honing first on the Translucent Arkansas finishing then on the Black Surgical Arkansas also lubricated with kerosene 

 

 

I then remove burr from back on a flat glass plate with 2000 wet paper also loaded with kerosene. Back of chisels and plane blades have to be absolutely flat and void of marks or scratches. Honing stones are never flat to accomplish that. I originally lap all of them flat to a mirror finish on glass plates with sandpaper.

 

 

I then finally use a leather strop On both bevel and back for a finishing touch. Back needs to be kept flat on strop also .

 

 

 

Final test is shaving my left arm dry.  
If it doesn’t do that properly it’s not ready for wood.
Blade is now good for about half a dozen honings until whole process needs to be done again. Sounds time consuming but if one does it often maintaining a hollow ground it’s really quick. This one took me less that 10 minutes beginning to end.

 To protect edges while not in use I tape them with masking tape.

Edited September 10, 2020 by formariz

[Pullstart 59,529]

A master of anything wood!  True art!

[stevasaurus 22,229]

Very cool Cas.  That chisel is ready to split some Wheel Horse transmissions.    

[WHNJ701 4,164]

Yeah my poor chisels..  I have used them for all things they not supposed to be used for.

 

Very cool what you do!

[formariz 11,849]

53 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

Very cool Cas.  That chisel is ready to split some Wheel Horse transmissions.    

Trust me ! Much worse has been done here during moments of desperation.

[JoeM 7,603]

Maybe drill bits next? 

[stevasaurus 22,229]

The first chisels that I ruined...well not ruined...were scraping old calk off of an old door frame in brick.   

[formariz 11,849]

15 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Maybe drill bits next? 

Definitely!

[Tractorhead 8,569]

Thanks for showing this formariz,

 

I have absolutely to impatience and not experienced for that things to be honest.

A Colleague of mine is blacksmith and he is also an awesome artist on build and sharpening damask knives and even Swords

and even resharpening all the things for cutting needs.

i like it to have sharp tools, but i be myself much to impatience to really resharpen things compared to this.

I only use a bench grinder for resharpening that’s it, but a wet stone is not my Friend at all.

He sharpened once my „allday‘s working knife“ with a wet stone what was 2 months ago.

That is brutforce Sharp after and i be honest envious to guy‘s who have that patience and experience.

 

I have deepest respect, for well experienced and patience for guy‘s they do it that Way.

thanks for showing us.

[formariz 11,849]

37 minutes ago, Tractorhead said:

I have absolutely to impatience and not experienced for that things to be honest

Most people feel that way but in reality it is really simple. It does not have to be done on the level that i do it. For most it can be done with only a piece of glass or anything flat and some sandpaper. The most important thing about it is not the actual sharpening process nor the equipment used, but in actuality the understanding of  what needs to happen to the metal for it to become that sharp. If one does not understand or know that, then it is difficult. The purpose of the tool being sharpened is also critical. For example a knife that has to cut meat cannot be sharpened the same way one is used for whittling wood. A woodcarving gauge and a regular chisel are sharpened using totally opposite principles. How one is sharpened is an absolute no no with the other. Assuming the condition of the tool to be sharpened is fair without any major damage I can teach anyone how to sharpen it to the point that it shaves hair in less than five minutes  using a smooth rock, spit, and your jeans if you are wearing them. One minute of the five will be to describe what needs to happen to the edge of the tool. That very process is how I was taught. All the fancy whetstones and grinders are merely perks of convenience and luxury that one develops a liking for and enjoys having. True that coupled with skill they make the job much easier and look hard to someone else  but they are not the essential for the end result. Knowledge is.

[sqrlgtr 236]

On 9/10/2020 at 6:22 PM, formariz said:

Most people feel that way but in reality it is really simple. It does not have to be done on the level that i do it. For most it can be done with only a piece of glass or anything flat and some sandpaper. The most important thing about it is not the actual sharpening process nor the equipment used, but in actuality the understanding of  what needs to happen to the metal for it to become that sharp. If one does not understand or know that, then it is difficult. The purpose of the tool being sharpened is also critical. For example a knife that has to cut meat cannot be sharpened the same way one is used for whittling wood. A woodcarving gauge and a regular chisel are sharpened using totally opposite principles. How one is sharpened is an absolute no no with the other. Assuming the condition of the tool to be sharpened is fair without any major damage I can teach anyone how to sharpen it to the point that it shaves hair in less than five minutes  using a smooth rock, spit, and your jeans if you are wearing them. One minute of the five will be to describe what needs to happen to the edge of the tool. That very process is how I was taught. All the fancy whetstones and grinders are merely perks of convenience and luxury that one develops a liking for and enjoys having. True that coupled with skill they make the job much easier and look hard to someone else  but they are not the essential for the end result. Knowledge is.

Ever done any broadheads?Bow seasons opens around here in a day or two.Ive been using traditional bow equipment (no training wheels lol) last several years but still dont think I do a good job sharpening my broadheads ...

[formariz 11,849]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

Ever done any broadheads?Bow seasons opens around here in a day or two.Ive been using traditional bow equipment (no training wheels lol) last several years but still dont think I do a good job sharpening my broadheads ...

Never did one but I wouldn’t mind trying as long as I can get my hands on one.