New to woodworking and just received my first set of chisels. I purchased a 4 piece Stanley sweetheart set. They are relatively sharp out of the box, but am I suppose to flatten the back and sharpen these chisels as soon as I get them?
After the 1000 you can use polishing compound on a leather strop or some people use mdf. Since I don’t allow that garbage in my shop the leather glued to a pine board works quite nicely and is traditional. Load up the leather with the compound and pull away from the edge so as not to cut the leather. Which compound? Different people-different answers. I have used green, red, white, they all work. Black and brown are too coarse, don’t use them. White is for stainless steel, cuts quick and makes a high polished finish, red is very fine but slow, green is in the middle. You already have a great sharpening stone, don’t waste your time trying other methods. Learn to use what you have. Years from now you may want to try something else if you are not happy with the edge you produce. But you need experience to know the difference. Many people waste time chasing after a better system when they really just need to fully learn and understand one.Gotcha! I purchased a 300-1000 stone and a honing guide. Would you suggest a higher grit than 1000 for getting those chisels perfect?
You're going to get a lot of opinions re: sharpening. I agree with Mike ultimately you need to determine what's best for you.Gotcha! I purchased a 300-1000 stone and a honing guide. Would you suggest a higher grit than 1000 for getting those chisels perfect?
Level | Description | Particle Size | Available Stones |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Extremely Coarse - Fastest metal removal, leaves very visible scratches in cutting edge. | 100+ Micron | Extra Extra Coarse Diamond, Coarse Crystolon |
2 | Coarse - Very fast metal removal, leaves visible scratches in cutting edge. Most coarse stones commonly available. | 60-100 Micron | Extra Coarse Diamond, Coarse India, 220 Grit Waterstone |
3 | Medium Coarse - Fast metal removal rate, scratches not as visible. Finest recommended grit for dull tools and knives. | 45-60 Micron | Medium Crystolon, Coarse Diamond |
4 | Medium - Good metal removal rate, light sctaches edge. Intermediate stage before finer grits. | 35-45 Micron | Medium India, Fine Crystolon |
5 | Medium Fine - Minimum recommended grit for final stage of most knives. Edge does not appear sctached but frosted. Finer than medium but sharpening rate slower. | 25-35 Micron | Fine India |
6 | Fine - Modest sharpening rate, leaves metal edge with frosted appearance. Edge sharpness equivalent to majority of factory edges on knives, tools. | 15-25 | Fine Diamond, Soft Arkansas, 1000 Grit Waterstone |
7 | Extra Fine - Slow sharpening rate. Edge is showing a polished looking edge. Very sharp edge better than most factory edges on good knives. | 8-15 Micron | Extra Fine Diamond, Hard Arkansas |
8 | Extremely Fine - Edge is extremely sharp. Very slow sharpening speed. Edge reflects light very well. | 4-8 Micron | Norton 4000 Waterstone, Hard Black Arkansas, Hard Translucent Arkansas |
9 | Near Mirror Polish - Edge is very near perfect. Grits past this stage provides only modest benefit. Leave edge polished to naked eye. | 2-4 Micron | Norton 8000 Waterstone, DMT Extra Extra Fine Diamond Stone |
10 | Mirror Polish - Sharpest edge possible, extremely slowing sharpening. Leaves mirror edge without visible flaws. | 0-2 Micron | Diamond Paste, Green Honing Compound, Abrasive Powder |
After the 1000 you can use polishing compound on a leather strop or some people use mdf. Since I don’t allow that garbage in my shop the leather glued to a pine board works quite nicely and is traditional. Load up the leather with the compound and pull away from the edge so as not to cut the leather. Which compound? Different people-different answers. I have used green, red, white, they all work. Black and brown are too coarse, don’t use them. White is for stainless steel, cuts quick and makes a high polished finish, red is very fine but slow, green is in the middle. You already have a great sharpening stone, don’t waste your time trying other methods. Learn to use what you have. Years from now you may want to try something else if you are not happy with the edge you produce. But you need experience to know the difference. Many people waste time chasing after a better system when they really just need to fully learn and understand one.
A Trend 300/1000 diamond stone and a cheap 15$ honing guide from amazon.I purchased a 300-1000 stone and a honing guide.
You didn't say what kind of stone (ceramic or diamond?) and which brand of honing guide you have. That information would be helpful.
This Paul Sellers video is a good demonstration of the basic tips for chisels and plane irons.
A Trend 300/1000 diamond stone and a cheap 15$ honing guide from amazon.