Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 14, 2004 02:19am | #1

   Derek,

   Two different angles here -

   I grind at about 25 and hone at about 28-30.

   If you go too low, the edge won't be durable, but it's a quick and easy fix if the edge fritters away - grind/hone steeper until the edge holds.

   Cheers,

   eddie

2. 
   SCFrankland | Jan 14, 2004 02:27am | #2

   A 20 deg bevel is good for working in softwood by hand but for general purpose a 25 deg with a micro bevel of 1 or 2 deg is better. For heavy work with a mallet then you may want to grind a 30 deg bevel with a 1 or 2 deg micro bevel.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

3. 
   ChipTam | Jan 14, 2004 02:28pm | #3

   A good rule of thumb is that the length of the bevel should be 2 1/4-2 1/2 times the thickness of the blade.  In normal use, you shouldn't have to re-grind (that is, re-shape the blade) very often.  I have some 20 year-old chisels that have only been re-ground once or twice.  Like Scott, I also use a micro-bevel so the only real sharpening takes place on an oil stone for that leading 1/64" of the blade.

   Chip

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Jan 14, 2004 06:54pm | #4

   derek

      For bench chisels I agree with the others. 25 primary and a micro of 1 or 2. I do have some skews that I do at about 22 degrees for very fine, light cutting. For mortice chisels the bevel needs to be steeper to handle the beating they take.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)