Replies

1. 
   Troy | Jan 27, 2007 07:18am | #1

   I don't know if this is accurate but it seems like different steels respond differently to different stones I have the same chisels you talk about and they do seem to get a more mirror like polish than my lie Neilsen plane blades as well as the blade I have from Ron Hock. You might try a hard strop with the green polishing compound that both Lee
   Valley and Japan Woodworker have. Or you might try the really fine 3M polishing paper. In real life I don't know if there is much of an effective differance between the actual sharpness though it seems like my Lie-Nielsen blades are very sharp with the 8000 grit water stones.

   Troy

2. 
   derekcohen | Jan 27, 2007 07:44am | #2

   Remember, you only need a mirror surface immediately behind the cutting edge. 1mm is enough, just hard to do, so aim for about an inch.

   If you are finding "swirls" then you need to drop back a grit (or more) until these are removed.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

3. 
   BG | Jan 27, 2007 02:13pm | #3

   Broluke,

   It may be my imagination, but I believe I'm getting better more consistent results using the side sharpening technique. Perhaps it's because any slight dips in the stones get somewhat mitigated with a side approach. At any rate I noticed some time ago all LN blades came side sharpened...so that seemed like a good reason to try it. I just reworked 17 chisels backs and bevels starting with 220 wet and dry, 1000, 4000 and then green rouge on MDF....while still in the MK II holder. ...very bright, very clear

    

1. 
   BroLuke | Jan 28, 2007 05:15am | #5

   Hi,Thanks for the info.I was confused by this one comment though:" ...better more consistent results using the side sharpening technique."What is side sharpening? Sounds like uhhhh shapening the side but how would that make the sole mirrory?Bro LukeBro.Luke

1. 
   BG | Jan 28, 2007 06:46am | #6

   BroLuke,
   Calling it 'side sharpening' may not be the correct terminology. What I mean is I'm moving the chisel form side to side as opposed to back and forth. Therefore, the scratch pattern is parallel to the cutting edge instead of perpendicular. I'm speculating, but I think this helps mitigate any dips or whatever on the stone. I get a nice even scratch pattern across the chisel quickly.
   Also, Tom Neilson recommended a 35 degree microbevel...

1. 
   VTAndy | Jan 28, 2007 05:45pm | #8

   BG,
   I do most of my sharpening from side to side as you suggest. I find that it is easier for me to freehand that way. I learned the technique from a friend who is a violin builder and learned from his master. Recently, Harrelson Stanley has been on the road and in articles teaching what he calls "side sharpening." His technique specifically involves a "jointing" step where you lightly "joint" the edge on the stone. I think it is fine to call what we are doing "side sharpening" (movement parallel to edge) and what he does "Harrelson Stanley's side sharpening." He didn't invent the method, he's just teaching a particular approach to it.
   -Andy

1. 
   BG | Jan 28, 2007 08:47pm | #9

   VTAndy,
   Thanks, I was begining to wonder if the cold cellar was causing my brain to stiffen and if 'side sharpening' was something I made up. I'll post a link to the article you mentioned in case broluke wants to take a look.http://www.japanesetools.com/pages/June06PW_SIDE%20SHARPENING.pdf

2. 
   BroLuke | Jan 29, 2007 03:09am | #10

   Thanks,I'll have a look at that.i was noticing some small parallel to the shank grooves at 10x loupe magnification and while not overly concerned as the chisels perform well so far but kinda thought it may be a good idea to find out about that. Side sharpening may be worht a look see.thanks again,Bro. LukeBro.Luke

2. 
   Wanda200 | Jan 29, 2007 03:37am | #11

   Hi BG,

   Do you mean moving the stone from left to right (down the full length) in a "W" pattern? Is that what you're referring to when you say.. side sharpening method?

   Wanda

1. 
   BG | Jan 29, 2007 03:08pm | #12

   Wanda,
   No, the 'W'pattern is a back and forth motion. If you click on the link in message 10 you'll see what Stanley is pushing as side sharpening. There is no earth shattering majic in this approach...I find it easier and faster so I suppose that reduces global warming...hmmm..

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 27, 2007 06:33pm | #4

   Bro.Luke,

   Don't own any LN chisels (yet) but I have always found the cryo A2 steel that LN uses on it's plane blades a challenge to sharpen. Kind of makes sense as the 'toughness' quality that allows the A2 to hold an edge so long, makes it tougher to sharpen.

   I own some Shapton stones which seem to very quickly sharpen my japanese and Ashley Iles chisels, sharpening the blades on my LN planes is always a very slow process..And quite frankly never seem to get much of a mirror on the LN A2 even when using the 8000 Shapton.  

   Thankfully even without the mirror shine, the A2 does the job that was intended and can produce some unbelieveable thin shavings

   Good luck

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/27/2007 1:26 pm ET by BOBABEUI

5. 
   Kaleo | Jan 28, 2007 09:36am | #7

   Bro. Luke-

   I also use norton waterstones, But I always finish off by polishing the backs with a metal polish of some sort. This will give you the mirror that you desire.

   Also I have a 25 degree bevel with a 30 degree micro-bevel

   Hope that helps

   Kaleo

   http://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com