marples carving chisels

[Robson Valley]

Carving hair protein is not carving wood of any texture or density. Show me some hair carvings!
However, Mike< you do point out something that I have ranted about for years = find a system for sharpening carving tools.
Learn it and use it as you have done for decades.

Your choices are not my choices. Just goes to prove that there are a whole bunch of different ways to the same end.
You have your fine tool choices and the results are proof of this entire concept.

I'll start with a 16" electric chainsaw and work my way past a 7/75 Stubai adze to maybe as little as a 3F/8.

[Mike the knife]

Carving hair protein is not carving wood of any texture or density. Show me some hair carvings!

Seriously though RV a quick arm shave does demonstrate the fineness of an edge & that's what you are working on when you are honing.
That is not the whole story of course - the shape & angle of the grind is the crucial thing is of course that it is variable according to steel quality , the tools' intended use & which wood species you're carving.

Well if you're going to split hairs ! - have a look at any Rhino "horn" carving to see a hair carving ! Rhino horn is actually not horn but compacted hair.
Like you say , we all find our own way to sharpen & there's more than one way to skin a cat.