Hi,
I’m new to woodworking and “researched” (reading forums, reviews) some honing guides. Usually I take my time to research and then I tend to buy some medium-high quality. However one of my takeaways is that I can invest lot of money into “the best” honing guide, and it might turn out not very useful because of the stone dimensions and/or blade sizes I’ll have. So I decided to go against my instinct and buy a cheap eclipse clone that will probably work for a year or two, and by the time I’ll need to buy a new one hopefully I’ll have more experience and knowledge about what blade sizes I’ll have and what type of sharpening system works best for me (diamond vs wet stone)
The only information I couldn’t find anywhere is what are the pros/cons of having a brass vs stainless steel roller:
Replies
Welcome to the hobby. If you are looking for a good cheap way of sharpening, google Scary Sharp. Get a piece of 1/4 plate glass and some wet dry sandpaper and you will get a good edge. Sharpening is a basic skill that needs to be acquired for hand tools and what you got from e bay will work fine. After you get used to it, the rest of what is out there is up to you. I personally use diamond plates and that works great for me, others will have different opinions.
There is an article here with, I think, Bob Van Dyke making a $10 eclipse guide like you show into a very usable guide with little effort.
That being said I use a Veritas MK-II and have a lot of goodies that go with it purchased over time.
I used a cheap eclipse guide for a long while until the Lie Nielsen came out. The L-N was perfect out of the box. The eclipse took a bunch of time to file it flat and make it usable.
I don't think there is any difference in what the roller is made of. Having good bearings underneath will make a difference. But for 12 bucks, don't expect Swiss precision.
I would go with the brass roller. Even stainless steel can rust with prolonged exposure to moisture. You can get years of use out of those cheap guides and they work great. Make sure you keep it oiled to prevent the other parts from rusting.
The honing guide arrived from China. Unfortunately it can't do the only thing I wanted to use a it for (and not trying to sharpen free-hand): keep the angle while moving the blade up and down. It's a manufacturing problem, the wheel's axle isn't in the center, so it's moving in all directions (up/down, left/right) and it's also stuck at a point on every wheel turn. I got it refunded, but I wonder if there's any idea how to make it usable - or it's not worth the time?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQ7r3wtywSDfZFgd6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nNfosuow2paCNxdZ6
You might be able to fix it if you can get the bar that joins the two cast sections out. You could then rotate one of the sections relative to the other to align the wheel better.
You could probably still use it, but with great care to register the edge of the blade on the honing block.
TBH, I would just buy a Veritas device if you can afford it. I don't think the wheel type matters, but FWIIW, mine is brass. I have both and never use the eclipse.
You get what you pay for. You can have them keep sending you a new one until it's ok, but for how long?
That one is trying hard to look like like the Lie Nielsen. I bought one after using a cheap copy of the Eclipse, and don't regret it for a second. Worth every penny.
I sharpen freehand, but occasionally I use a guide to establish a 1° bevel.
I use the cheap Eclipse, but I will tell you I ruined one trying to file it to fit a plane iron. I don't like the short roller much.
If I were going jig only, I'd probably go with the Veritas.
That said, I always encourage beginners to learn freehand sharpening. Its really not that hard, and its a skill that saves a lot of time.
Like the original mousetrap, inexpensive and effective. A wooden jig with stop blocks allows for repeatable and quick angle setting.
https://www.rockler.com/honing-guide?country=US&sid=V91041&promo=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=PL&tid=pla&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI)_Shopping_-_All_Products&msclkid=ba9d5e58564e18fe0ac801325d3624aa
Unfortunately Rockler only ship to the US. BTW for that price I really wonder if it would come from the same factory in China...
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