I received a Japanese bullnose chisel from my in-laws and I’m wondering what is the best way to sharpen and hone the thing? It seems that the only way to hone it is to be done by eye and feel. Does anyone have a any suggestions or a sure fire way to deal with this? Many thanks!
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I would hone by hand, flattening the back first then the bevel. If it needs grinding, do it as you would a lathe round nose scraper with a much shallower angle then hone by hand. Practice will make perfect.
I agree, sharpening by hand (on Japanese water stones, of course) is the only way.
As you learn to feel the bevel with your left-hand fingers, and how to rotate the tool with your right hand on the handle, it's best to wear a white belt to start, and then progress to brown, and finally black as you get really good at it. A head band, with an appropriate design in the middle, is optional. ;-)
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