plough gauge knife sharpening

[Leescustomleather]

1 hour ago, TomE said:

Finally solved the mystery of the Vergez-Blanchard plough gauge.  Moving the blade 3 mm back from the fully forward position relieved the pinching and binding of the strap against the guide.  It now slices through 12 oz HO veg tan with little effort.  This fix was suggested on FB by a Kelsey Watson from White Hall, VA.  I think he fabricates leatherworking tools.  Thanks to everyone for tips on sharpening the knife - my skills continue to improve and I am sure that helped as well.  Now if I could get more brass hardware that has been out of stock for 6 months.

I'm glad you found the solution, thanks for sharing!

[dikman]

Just to add to the thread, I have an old G.Barnes plough gauge and hadn't given much thought to how it was sharpened. Much to my surprise it has a bevel on both sides of the blade. I hadn't really noticed it before.

[TomE]

7 hours ago, dikman said:

Just to add to the thread, I have an old G.Barnes plough gauge and hadn't given much thought to how it was sharpened. Much to my surprise it has a bevel on both sides of the blade. I hadn't really noticed it before.

Does the 2-sided bevel work well for you?  There's a newer thread from @krummark in Leather Tools about a plough gauge with a 2-sided bevel.  He talked with @bruce johnson and learned that Bruce sees many plough gauge knives with the 2-sided bevel.  I am thinking about putting a 2-sided bevel on one of my Vergez-Blanchard less-than-stellar-quality knives.

[dikman]

I haven't used it much but don't seem to recall any issues.

[mike1967]

I’ll have to try moving my knife back & see if that helps.

[TomE]

I put a 2-sided bevel on one of my Vergez-Blanchard plough gauge knives.  The front of this new knife had a curved surface that I flattened to a 15-20 deg. bevel.  I put a steeper (~25-30 deg.)/shorter bevel on the backside.  It cuts 10 oz bridle leather really well with the knife fully inserted in the frame.  I'll be stropping it more and trying it on other weights and types of leather once I get a project off my bench.  As of today I am a fan of the 2-sided bevel on a plough knife.