Sharpening: Files, Stones, Cut And Grits?

[Jarednem]

While reading "leathercraft Tools: How to use them/ How to sharpen them" by Al Stohlman it shows the shape of all the stones and files to use for sharpening each tool. It doesnt tell the reader what size, grit, cut (file), or type(file eg. swiss, Grobet, needle, escapemant). Does anyone know any of the specifics of what works best for sharpening leather craft tools like the v-gouge, stitch groove, edgers etc. thank LW

[tbmow]

In a nutshell, the grit is the number of cutting particles per inch. Start by thinking sand paper. A 8-grit would have 8 pieces of sand per inch, or 1/8 inch is the grit size. The finer the grit (i.e. larger number) the sharper the resulting edge. Coarser grits remove material faster and leave a rougher edge.

You want very sharp tools to cut leather without forcing the tool.

[electrathon]

In general 1200 wet/dry paper wraped over a steel wire (like a welding rod) is about right. You will likely have to follow it with 3200 and then strop it (use round lace with rouge on it). Only pull the tools back, do not push.

Aaron

[Jarednem]

Thanx, do u anything about cut on files like 0-8? What would be the preferred sharpening tool to do a v-gouge or and stitch groover? File or stone? For the stitch groove, I guess a round 6-8 cut on file for inside and a fine stone for the outside? do they make a stone small enough for inside of a stitch groover? Also what website would be the best place to purchase both Shape sharpening stone and files?

[electrathon]

I don't really have an answer on file cuts, but a file is a very poor choice on sharpening. Anything semi-hard or harder needs to be sharpened on a stone and not a file. Sandpaper is the poor mans whetstone and it can be shaped over wood or whatever. If you really want stones look at a gunsmith site, they have a lot of small stone shaped for polishing inside hammer areas.

A stitch grover is sharpened on the outside. Drill a hole in a piece of metal and grind away to the edge of the hole and it is sharp. V gouge is sharpened on the outside.

[Northmount]

Files are okay for axes. Haven't ever used them on my leather tools.

Tom

[Jarednem]

thanks for the input, ya Al's book says jewelers files and shape stones are used. Just bought so shape stone from Brownells

Edited December 30, 2012 by Jarednem

[electrathon]

Remember that book was probibly written 50 years ago. Techniques that were used then are considered dated by todays standards.

[Jarednem]

Very True...lol! they probably didnt have 3200 grit sandpaper, heck i didnt even know it went up that high!

[electrathon]

It actually goes a lot finer than that if you really want to get it perfect. I remember the crappy sandpaper that my Dad used to use when I was a kid. By todays standards it is junk, but that is all they had so it seemed good.