Here is a question. I am honing chisel and plane blades. Using an LV MK II honing guide and 1000 & 4000 waterstones I can get great results though it occurred to me today that I may not be paying enough attention to honing the flat back. I do this once, maybe twice at the beginning and end of the process, however should I be doing this throughout? Any tips would be great.
Also a friend is runs his own sharpening service and dips his finished edges in hot wax to protect them until use. Is there any practical around the house substitute I can use? I live in Bermuda where the salty air will very quickly corrode the honed edges.
Seasons greetings to all,
Replies
GWB,
A polished back to the blade should only need to be done once, when you first get it. After that, you only need to pass it over a strop a couple of swipes to break off the wire that forms each time you (re)hone the bevel.
I keep my spare blades in a made-for-the-purpose leather thing that holds six blades separately (it cost £10 from Axminster Tools in Britain - there is surely a USA equivalent somewhere). I give the whole caboodle a spray of camelia oil, to keep the moisture out.
Lataxe
If you can't get camellia oil, mineral oil will work, too. Paste wax is fine but nothing with silicone.
GWB,
Using a back bevel by way of the "ruler trick' ensures a super sharp outcome. Their is a video that David Charlesworth put out (LN sells it) or you can catch a snipet on http://www.thewoodworkingchannel.com
Anything I want to keep away from the air...I store in recycled ceral bags.
Edited 12/16/2006 8:40 pm ET by BG
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