Help flatening chisel backs ...

[Afro Boy]

A while ago I purchased some japanese chisels online. They're in quite bad shape and probably need new handles. The blade however isn't too bad although does have some pitting, etc.

I've been working on flatening the backs. The first one I tried took me nearly 30 minutes on a DMT stone to get close to flat! Should it really take this long?

A problem I'm noticing is that the previous owner seems to have put a slight back bevel on the blade (either that or they dropped them one too many times). Should I keep flatening the back until this is all removed or are there other options?

Thanks,
Af.

[derekcohen]

Hi Af

I would be very careful when flattening the backs of Japanese chisels. You do not want to remove too much steel as you are removing the hardened steel that forms the cutting edge.

Rather than flattening the back to remove the back bevel, grind the bevel back.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Afro Boy]

Thanks for the tip Derek. Much appreciated. I'll start on that tomorrow hopefully.

[rightendup]

I once spent 14 hours flattening a new jack plane - yes it IS supposed to take that long.
Japanese chisles are meant to be sharpened on both sides every time you sharpen.
The idea is to keep that small arc on the bottom of a Japanese chisle to about a 16th from the working edge, hence don't get carried away and take too much off! Also the bottom is far harder steel than the top.
Japanese chisles are meant to have hollow bottoms, unlike Euro-type chisles.