Here is an easy way to get consistent and fast results when sharpening plane blades and chisels. Creating a microbevel using a stone or abrasive paper on glass takes only a few strokes if the blade is set to the exact right angle. To set the blade at the right angle consistently, I now use a magnetic digital angle gauge.

To use the gauge, I zero it on the same flat surface that the blade will be honed on. Then I place the magnetic base on the blade in the honing guide and move the blade in and out of the guide to set the angle. The gauge shows the angle to one-tenth of a degree. When the angle is right, I write it on the plane blade with a fine-tip felt pen so that there is no guesswork next time I need to hone.

Drawings by Jim Richey

Drawings by Jim Richey

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