[Woodcarver] SHARPENING HELP???

[michaelkhuffman at sbcglobal.net]

I have seen this question so much that I just have to say something about  
it, THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET TO SHARPINNG! There many videos and DVDs  
that are quite good about the basics of sharpening, however there is no  
substute, after reading the basics, for practice. A Google search on  
sharpening should give you all you need to get started. When I first  
started carving I too thought that I needed some hard core instruction on  
the mysticism of keeping my tools sharp. NOT TRUE. I have spent lots of  
money on diamond stones, Arkansas stones, water stones, you name it, (all  
a good purchase), before I learned it’s not the tool it’s the technique. I  
can now sharpen a soup spoon so that you could shave with it. My favorite,  
(and most inexpensive option) is the “scary sharp system”, Google that. If  
your knife doesn’t stay sharp it is most likely the fault of the  
composition of your knife than your sharpening skills. Honing your tools  
is essential. When it seems to get dull strop it a few times and it will  
be good as new There is no need to buy expensive strops, you can make one  
with just some wood and any piece of scrap leather and some glue. Buy some  
good compound and that’s all you need. Although I do like and use the  
“wood is good” composite strop with alum. oxide powder for a final honing.  
As you are sharpening be consistent. Don’t worry too much about the angle  
at first, although important. Just keep your wrist locked and don’t rock  
your tool.  The more you do the better you will get. You just have to keep  
at it until you get the hang of it, and you will. You will have to  
abrasive sharpen much, much, much less than you will have to hone. When  
carving with a less than a perfect steel tool, cut, cut, cut, cut, strop,  
strop. With a good steel tool, many more cuts before stropping. Try the  
scary sharp system and practice, practice, practice.

Huff
     Man