I have recently purchased some Japanese chisels but cannot use any of my current sharpening jigs to sharpen them.Because they are so short non of the jigs will work.
Anyone help?
Cheers
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
I had the same trouble and ended up trying to get jigs to fit. I contacted Japan Woodworker (name?) on the west coast and they had some plans for a special jig that I built which helped( I think someone was about to sell it commercially so the plans may not be available now.) They also have a jig that is about $50 (made in the UK) that will handle short blades. However, at this point I ran into a a website (can't remember the address, but a UK site) that showed the essentials of hand sharpening chisels and plane blades without a jig. I started trying this approach and while a little tedious at first, I finally mastered the technique.
Actually, I still use the Veritas guide for the longer blades but sharpen "freehand" the Japanese chisels. For these reasons, I don't use Japanese chisels that much anymore but learning the technique helped me for quick honing of even the longer blades. With a little patience, you can do it. ( The website address for the sharpening without a jig may be in the archives or someone on the forum may have it or another.)
Good luck!
I understand you problem. I have a veritas jig that kind of works but I just purchased a jig that grips the size of the chisels from woodworkers supply. it is available in othe places and is quite inexpensive. I make some blocks from cherry to fit the sides of the japanese chisels and after some tinkering they seem to work.
Lynn
ecollis,
I'm not sure how short your problem-tools are, but I imagine they cannot be too much shorter than a spokeshave iron--they're more likely to be a little longer. If so, you might want ot track down a Stanley sharpening jig. Mine works with all my spokeshave irons as well as two very short-bladed chisels I somehow acquired. (I don't remember when, where or why I got those little twerps.)
Alan
Hi Alan,
Try Garrett Wade, they've usually got them listed in their catalog!
Those daring young men in their flying machines!
f4phanatic,
Thanks for the tip--but I already have one. I was trying to help ecollis.
(Actually I have two Stanleys. I got a second because my first is hiding from me for some reason...maybe because I have no Stanley tools to use with it...or because it's off with a harem of lost screwdrivers breeding wire coat hangers...or because I used it to sharpen a Record iron...or...)
Alan
Hi Alan,
I've been wondering whether to get one. Of all my tools that are in hidng, I don't miss any of them! Guess that says alot about their quality.
Those daring young men in their flying machines!
f4phanatic,
You're lucky. I wish all my junk tools would crawl away--but of course they don't. I threw away the same useless c-clamps three or four times. Each time they crawled back home and I found them on the work bench a week later.
The tools I dearly love and need are the ones that hide. Sometimes they hide for good; sometimes they only want to play tricks on me.
I got in the habit of carrying a small pocket knife back in my carpentry days. I treated myself to a good one that cost roughly three times too much. I grew very fond of it and carried it everywhere with me long after my carpentry days were over.
One day my knife crawled away and hid. I looked everywhere. I checked all my pockets, the clothes hamper, the floor of my closet, the crannies of my chair, the floor of my car, my toolbox, in my socks, the work bench, the washer and drier--everywhere--absolutely everywhere! It hid so well I was sure it was gone for good.
After the pangs of withdrawal and loss grew unbearable I bought another one just like it--now priced seven times more than it should. I heaped all the love I'd had for the original on it. I sharpened it and oiled its hinge; I carried it all the time; and I eventually found it willing and able to do all the minor jobs its predecessor had done. After an adjustment period of a few weeks, the new knife felt at home in my pocket. It was reassuring in there. I often pulled it out and rubbed it a few times just to ease my mind.
I'm sure you know how this story ends.
One day I decided to cook a dish I hadn't made in a while. I needed to use a particular kitchen implement that I kept on a seldom used counter. Just as I took hold of it I saw my original knife had come out of hiding and was happily--and smugly--laughing at me from beside the appliance.
So now I have two knives I can't tell apart. Serves the first one right every time I take the new one. It hasn't tried to hide since...but I still can't find that little chisel...
Alan
Hi Alan,
I know what you mean, my father had more than a few items that he couldn't find. He would place them in his usual place of storage, and, the next time he went looking for them, they were not there. He always used to say "It's hiding somewhere and laughing at us as we're looking for it."
Incidentally we or he always found it after we did not need to use it anymore!
Those daring young men in their flying machines!
I think the presumption is that if you buy a premium tool like a Japanese chisel that you are adept at sharpening free hand.
Dieter Schmid(fine tools) in Berlin or Garret Wade sell a honing guide made in the UK by Richard Kell that works great with jap chisels.Expensive but very good.
Philip
Hi !
It's hard to sharpen freehand, I always use (need to) a jig to get perfect results.
Try this link http://www.fine-tools.com/G303540.htm This jig by Richard Kell will take even the shortest and narrowest blade.
BRGD's Ole
.... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....
Sharpening jigs are a pain. Learn to do it free hand. You will be happy.
Tom
Hi Metod,
I get Garrett Wade in the mail. Purchased a few items from time to time. I've got the Lee Valley jig, I'm still thinking about that little one.
Those daring young men in their flying machines!
I use the British made honing guide people are referencing. It works like a charm and is a nice solid heirloom-quality tool to own. It is well worth the cost, considering the cost of a Japanese chisel.
You might also call the folks at the Japan Woodworker store. I stopped by there the other day and they were very helpful.
Dear Friend,
If You live in America,you have all "apparatus" to sharp a chisel.
You need only a coarse,a medium and a fine stone to make the job.
Or You prefer a glass plate and sandpaper ( for steel ).
OH,I'am forgetting. WATER !!!
Do You know NORTON,are'nt You???
If You are a sophisticated gentleman,You will prefer a DMT diamond stone.
Forget motor grinders,it's superfluous for this job.If You chisel turns blue...JÁ ERA!!! ( It's GONE!!! )
ABRAÇO,Spock.
P.S. MR.TAGE FRID used sharp chisels with a belt sander.
Edited 12/2/2004 11:02 pm ET by SPOCK
Edited 12/2/2004 11:45 pm ET by SPOCK
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled