[Woodcarver] Another whittle question

[Donna Menke]

Lets see if I can do this- it is a hard one to describe, but I like a challenge.
1.) Knives, gouges, and all edged tools get dull because the edge doesn't come to a point anymore. Maybe it was rounded over in sharpening, worn down in use, or dinged along the sharp edge. You can see this by catching light off that edge. The light is being reflected off those dings and rounded/flattened areas.
2.) Your job is to replace the point on the edge by removing the metal that is in the way. You can do this by hand with stones or very fine sandpaper, or using a powered wheel- slow speed, of course. High speeds will heat up the metal, draw out the temper (hardening process), and leave a soft metal that will no longer hold an edge. If it gets too hot to touch it is a bad thing. Don't do that.
3.) Either way, you work both sides of the blade equally, against the abrasive at the same angle it had before it was rounded, a little at a time, to keep it even. Doesn't matter if it is in circles or back and forth, as long as you are consistent. After a while you will have the "V" point back and there will be no reflection off the point of the edge. 
4.) Often you will get a wire edge when you use a powered set-up. This is a good indication that the metal is about as sharp as it can be. Hone off the wire edge and you have a very sharp blade.
5.) Keep the edge sharp by not letting it touch any other piece of metal, and not prying as you carve.
TTTTTTthat's all Ffffffolks

Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book

----- Original Message ----
From: "pauleeb at tmo.blackberry.net" <pauleeb at tmo.blackberry.net>
To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:58:41 AM
Subject: [Woodcarver] Another whittle question


Support our List with a donation:
 http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
Visit our List Photo Gallery at: http://woodcarver.smugmug.com/
Submit photos to our List Photo Gallery:
 http://www.wwwoodcarver.com/Smugmug/SmugmugGallery.html

Hello, I have been monitoring list for months now. And you all are a
 wealth of great resources! I. Know this is a cliche question, but how. Do
 I approach the world of sharp tools? Basically I have been
 unsuccessful at it and haven't honed a good tool very well. Any pointers from you
 pros?  
Paul. In jersey
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
_______________________________________________
Woodcarver mailing list
Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver