How-To
Sharpening a Cutting Gauge
With such a tiny cutter, sharpening a cutting gauge can be an infuriating thing. Bob Van Dyke shows how to do it.
With such a tiny cutter, sharpening a cutting gauge can be an infuriating thing. With Bob Van Dyke’s method of referencing his wrist on the top of his sharpening station, he is able to lock in the bevel angle while holding the cutter. After the stones, a quick run on the strop and his blade cuts across eastern white pine with no tearing at all — a true test for a blade’s sharpness.
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Comments
For such a light-duty, small cutter, this is sufficient - elegant, even. If the angles are absolute perfect, they don't need to be, anyway. I have never been able to sharpen a chisel, plane blade, etc, without a jig, and there are lots of good, reasonably costing ones that pay me back in labor-time and accuracy. They don't wear out. For a very small chisel, gouge, etc, i will design my own jig or adaptation of a commercial jig. As Bob says, I don't see why it matters what kind of stones you use, noting that i don't use oil stones like Arkansas anymore, but if that's your thing, more power to you. Bob is polite about it, but there are past authorities in this magazine and other woodworking magazines who come off as completely arrogant, intolerant of anyone who can't just pick up a blade, swipe it freehand a few times over a stone, and come out perfectly sharpened, square, etc.
So thank you, Bob. I'll adopt this one and gladly.
Thank you, Bob. I have enjoyed your articles and videos. It is people like you that keep me interested in Fine Woodworking.
Gree with comment 2 100%
I'm going to build the cutting gauge described in FWW 261. I was curious about sharpening technique. This video takes care of that concern. Thanks, Bob. Much appreciated as are all your articles in FWW.
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