Sharpening Method Poll

[Ed Fasano]

The responses to the Sharpening Poll seemed to have stopped, so I'm posting the results. I omitted the "Some Combination of the Above" number because it was a poorly posed question in the structure of my poll. My bad. In any case, Thank you to those who responded. Here's what you had to say:

Sharpening Poll Results
Total Responses	57​	%​
Oil stones	2​	3.5%​
Water Stones	6​	10.5%​
Ceramic stones	7​	12.3%​
Diamond plates	17​	29.8%​
Sandpaper on a reliably flat surface	10​	17.5%​
Tormek or Tormek clone system	4​	7.0%​
Work Sharp system	10​	17.5%​
I avoid the use of edge tools because effective sharpening is a black art	0	0.0%​
I outsource the sharpening on my hand tools	0	0.0%​
Other – Please specify (Makita horizontal water stone)	1​	1.8%​

I suppose the only mild surprise to me might be that Tormek users fewer than I anticipated. I'm guessing that its expense is the reason. On that note, Tormek has announced a generation 3 model T8 with an even higher price.

Ed

 

[tarheelz]

4

 

[danmart77]

I find it relaxing too!

Gary I see you and Rick use the Shapton ceramic on glass to go final on edges. In the past I have used the Japanese water stones after using the Makita wet wheel like another user. After years of water and cleaning then frequently flattening the water stones I looked for an alternative. I wanted some thing that was more expedient and not so messy.

I found something that seems to work well and its easy: diamond plates.

Now I don't know if it gives you a nicer edge than the higher grit stones but it sure is reliable - in the shop and on the road. I have wondered about the 4000-8000 grit world but I just haven't pulled the trigger.


When looking at Shapton stuff I read about the need to buy a flattening diamond plate(290.00) to keep the ceramic plate just right. Now that seems pricey?

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Shapton-Diamond-Lapping-Plate-P237C84.aspx

Now that seems pricey?



Getting back to diamond plates(the smooth 8 x3). I can sharpen scraper blades all day with these and I still have flat plates. This has been a major bonus for saving maintenance time.

So my interest is: how do you keep the ceramic plates flat and working well? Does it take a good bit of time?

I know this thread is about a survey but it seems like the participants are filling up small camps. Maybe a little more on why you favor one method over another.

Thanks
Dan

 

[jhancock]

DMT 600/1200 diamond plate. Green compound on a flat scrap hardwood (poplar I think now).

 

[cpw]

5.

I do sandpaper on plate glass because it's a cheap way to get started.
Switching to diamond plates & strop a la Paul Sellers as soon as I can swing it.

I also have a Delta wet grinding wheel for quick reshaping.

 

[Endless Pursuit]

7, then 4 then 2.

 

[Pop Golden]

I have tried lots of methods. My last mistake was a Delta Sharpening Center now gone. 1, 3, 5 on plate glass, 7 & 11. The Work Sharp is gift from heaven. I also use a Wolverine with a 8 in. slow speed grinder. My latest addition is a Razor Sharp slotted polishing wheel with green aluminum/chromium oxide. This gadget makes things really really sharp.

Pop

 

[nn4jw]

Obviously there's no one "best" way to sharpen all edges/tools, no matter what the manufacturers claim. Not all methods are equal, but whatever gets the job done for a particular type of tool and edge and you are comfortable using on a regular basis is a good individual choice. What I use on a knife isn't what I use on a turning gouge. Plane irons get yet another method. And what I'm using today may well not be what I use tomorrow. But it could be what I used yesterday.

 

[SubGuy]

6,2

 

[tarheelz]

5.

I do sandpaper on plate glass because it's a cheap way to get started.
Switching to diamond plates & strop a la Paul Sellers as soon as I can swing it.

Charles,

This was me. Sellers' approves the "cheap" method of sandpaper on glass too. Figuring I'd never spring for three or four plates, I convinced myself to buy one plate per quarter off of Amazon until I had them. Took me about a year to pull it together but truthfully, just having the first coarse plate helped immediately (while still using paper for the other grades).

 

[DaveT]

7,5

 

[Gofor]

Charles,

This was me. Sellers' approves the "cheap" method of sandpaper on glass too. Figuring I'd never spring for three or four plates, I convinced myself to buy one plate per quarter off of Amazon until I had them. Took me about a year to pull it together but truthfully, just having the first coarse plate helped immediately (while still using paper for the other grades).

I also bought a coarse diamond plate (220gr). Works quickly for re-establishing the primary bevel on planes and chisels, and for setting a camber in a plane iron. Great to have when you knock a chip out of the edge, or have used up the primary bevel, especially on today's thicker irons and harder steel. I also have the 600 and 1200 for the secondary bevels, but finish up with 2000gr paper.

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