Help with sharpening my tools

[zuludog]

My Dad was a carpenter, and I was brought up on oil stones. I inherited one of his, and bought another from a second hand tool stall on the market. They are both double sided, but different, so I have 4 grades from coarse to very fine. I cleaned them by soaking in paraffin/kerosene overnight, and made a bench hook for them

Sometimes I use wet & dry paper on a sheet of glass, covering grits from 1,000 to 7,000 in a few increments. I lubricate them with water containing a drop of washing up liquid. Remember that with wet & dry paper you should only pull backwards, away from the cutting edge

I follow this with a strop made from 2mm natural veg tan leather, flesh side up, and green chromium dioxide stropping compound

I've tried Japanese water stones, and diamond plates, but I didn't take to them - you might. There's nothing wrong with them, and they are used by many people, but that was just my choice

There are loads of videos on YouTube about sharpening all sorts of tools - knives & chisels as well as leather working tools; also on making a stop. Watch as many as you have the stamina for, you must be able to find something useful and helpful

Again there are several videos about sharpening edge bevellers. You can make a stropping board with strips of leather glued flat or edge onto suit the tool, and/or pull through with some cord loaded with compound

Edited March 16, 2021 by zuludog

[mike02130]

Some thoughts,

As a user of Japanese woodworking chisels and Japanese high carbon steel kitchen knives I find that Japanese water stones work better than diamond or other stones.  They are softer steels than Hitachi white and blue steels found in better Japanese leather knives.

My Japanese leather knives are both white and blue steel. Both are very hard steel.  I find it difficult to use my Japanese stones without tiring and wearing down the stones and my arms.  I prefer DMT diamond stones from coarse to extra fine then on to a Spyderco ultra fine ceramic stone and strop with white compound.  I find the steel is too hard for the green (same with D2).  

I'm not one of these anal types looking at edges under a super microscope and while I respect others' opinions I usually don't give a damn for I know what I know works for me.

I really see no logical reason to use sandpaper unless one can not afford to buy a sharpening stone.  One can pick up a new two sided India stone for twenty bucks and is easier, more convenient and cheaper than sandpaper.

If one is to state a fact then they ought to back that up with some information supporting that assertation.

It disheartens me to see such bickering here.  Has "wokeness" and "cancel-culture" now infiltrated this forum?

Knock it off and let's learn somethings concerning leather work.

 

[mike02130]

9 hours ago, Rahere said:

I have asked for moderation on this. Sorry, I'd block you if I could. I was very specific to avoid this, but you went there regardless. I've learned from this, there are some subjects best avoided. And that's a pity, all things considered.

 Since you are saying this to the group and not direct messaging Danne I would like to ask what subjects did you learn that are best avoided?

[sbrownn]

12 hours ago, Rahere said:

This is precisely the trolling I hoped to avoid. You took my comment, removed the context, and have turned passiva aggressive.

I didn't see any trolling in the comment. 

 

[chuck123wapati]

man people are sure passionate about their sharpening. 

[Frodo]

man, I strop a brand new razor blade. 

I get it so sharp . all I have to do is show it to the leather and it opens up right on the line. YEP..  Old swamp which taught me how to lie. I er I mean strop  LOL

[Frodo]

I simply do not understand all the hub bub about stones and stuff. I make my own blades

and after i have gotten it razor sharp i no longer need a stone unless I frigged up and dropped it. 

or a long period of time has elapsed.  I have an assortment of pretty colored rouge i use on my strop.

And YES, I have used and will use again, A bit of sandpaper on a ornery needle . I am a practical type of man. I have sandpaper laying on the bench for edge touch up so it may or may not get used on whatever I deem necessary at the time I use it.  

Ya'll stop bickering and gather around for a big ole group hug

Edited March 16, 2021 by Frodo

[chuck123wapati]

9 minutes ago, Frodo said:

I simply do not understand all the hub bub about stones and stuff. I make my own blades

and after i have gotten it razor sharp i no longer need a stone unless I frigged up and dropped it. 

or a long period of time has elapsed.  I have an assortment of pretty colored rouge i use on my strop.

And YES, I have used and will use again, A bit of sandpaper on a ornery needle . I am a practical type of man. I have sandpaper laying on the bench for edge touch up so it may or may not get used on whatever I deem necessary at the time I use it.  

Ya'll stop bickering and gather around for a big ole group hug

i tell ya i get no respect,  every time i group hug i get stuck with the pit.  

[Danne]

4 hours ago, mike02130 said:

Some thoughts,

As a user of Japanese woodworking chisels and Japanese high carbon steel kitchen knives I find that Japanese water stones work better than diamond or other stones.  They are softer steels than Hitachi white and blue steels found in better Japanese leather knives.

My Japanese leather knives are both white and blue steel. Both are very hard steel.  I find it difficult to use my Japanese stones without tiring and wearing down the stones and my arms.  I prefer DMT diamond stones from coarse to extra fine then on to a Spyderco ultra fine ceramic stone and strop with white compound.  I find the steel is too hard for the green (same with D2).  

I'm not one of these anal types looking at edges under a super microscope and while I respect others' opinions I usually don't give a damn for I know what I know works for me.

I really see no logical reason to use sandpaper unless one can not afford to buy a sharpening stone.  One can pick up a new two sided India stone for twenty bucks and is easier, more convenient and cheaper than sandpaper.

If one is to state a fact then they ought to back that up with some information supporting that assertation.

It disheartens me to see such bickering here.  Has "wokeness" and "cancel-culture" now infiltrated this forum?

Knock it off and let's learn somethings concerning leather work.

 

Thank you for your input here.

I really agree with you that there is no logical reason to use sandpaper. The reason I use it right now is because I started with buying a cheaper King 1000/6000, because I have seen other crafters who seem to get good results from that stone. But for me it just caused trouble. The 1000 side hade to be flattened all the time, the 6000 side clogged up with steel and stopped sharpening very quick, so I never really got any good results (Maybe I used the wrong technique I don't know) but had to use a lot of sandpaper to flatten the stone. So I decided to start using sandpaper until I found a better solution. And the problem is that it seems like it's as many opinions as there are stones out there. But if I could avoid haven to flatten my stones it would be nice. I think I will try your recommendations with the diamond stones and white compound. I'm super happy with the edge I get from up to 2500 grit wet and dry and green chrome oxide. And from what you are writing, I have a feeling that those diamond stones in combination with white compound will work fine for me. 

 

[Frodo]

Use oil on your stone. the oil stops the grit from clogging every thing up

There are different types of stones, some use oil some water i use oil..For me, the oil works best. water just seems messy