There comes a time for all woodworkers where they realize their tools start getting dull. Chisels, plane irons, cabinet scrapers, etc., all wear down as the metal oxidizes and working stress wears at the edge. Sharpening is a skill like the edges of your tools. The process becomes more natural and less like work as you hone it.
Scary Cheap, Scary Sharp!
Last month, Rockler put their plate glass sharpening system on sale. I’d heard of people using this method before, but never tried to find a way to put it all together. After seeing that Rockler wants to sell you two kits each $30+, and then charge 8+ bucks for peel-n-stick sandpaper refills. That’s more than $60 for two pieces of float plate glass, a honing guide, and eight pieces of sandpaper! Yikes! I decided it was time to find a better, cheaper way.
I’ve just finished grinding and honing my 1″ wide Irwin chisel (tool review here) to a mirror finish with a 1500 grit final stage for less the cost of one of the Rockler sets. If you’re starting out working wood, this is the way to go. You’ll save yourself money in the long run by not wasting it on methods that don’t work, or wear out quickly.
Read on for how I put together my scary sharp system for scary cheap!
