Thread: Honing Guides

I have three different honing guides, Carbatec MJ-817 $12, Veritas sharpening system US$34.95 from Lee Valley, and the Stanley honing guide $39.90 from Timbecon. I find I only use the $12 one from Carbatec. It is not perfect, but I find it works better than the other more expensive honing guides. I have not tried the Carbatec CSG-21.

I made mine from a bit of 4x2 hardwood: http://www3.telus.net/BrentBeach/Sharpen/jig.html

Dave,

I have a Veritas and a Stanley. I only use the Veritas although I am trying to wean myself off it and do it by hand. OK so far doing it by hand with chisels but I pike out with the plane blades.

If you would like to try the Veritas on a waterstone please let me know.

I don't usually let others use my gear but for you ..... well you are getting into handtools so you must be OK.


- Wood Borer

Thanks All

So it looks like the Carba tec, then Veritas then stanley for the tailor mades ...


Mr Borer
I wouldn't dare touch your gear I'd be petrified of stuffing something up. (my rule is: Don't borrow what you can't afford to replace) But I do appreciate the offer.

Dave

The Veritas system comprises 2 parts, the honing guide and the bevel angle set. It is the best on the market, not perfect, but used correctly will be all you will ever need. I have used one for a few years now.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I also have the $12 Carbatec guide. It's basic, but it works for me.
There is a limit to the width of blade that it can hold though, but great for chisels and small plane blades.

Dave,

I have the Veritas, and would recomend that.

I have the $12 job from Carbatec, and my main complaint was that the roller on the bottom was to narrow for small chisels, making it prone to tipping over a little with out your knowing it.

So, I bought the Veritas. I have no complaints with it.

Ben

Dave,

Damn, I thought I was going to get a new set of stones and honing guide at your expense!

Dave the offer is still there, it will give you an opportunity to see and drive what you are considering buying. If you are really nervous about using my equipment, you can watch me use it.

It’s up to you.

- Wood Borer

I use the Veritas and have had good results.
I came across a pic of a " richard Kell " guide . it looks interesting, the supplier sells it to dealers only
Guide
The supplier is www. europeanhandtools.ca
paul

I have the Carbatec and the Stanley guides. I actually like the Stanley better - it handles even small chisels and spokeshave blades, and has an angle setting guide built in. The Carbatec doesn't have the guide, and can only really do full size plane blades and chisels.

You can get the Stanley guide in a set with a double sided oilstone and honing oil for around $33 at Bunnies. Good value.

There's another recent thread here that talks about final finishing on buffing wheels, scary sharp etc - take a look if you want REALLY sharp.

Timbecon also have one for $24, it has a wider wheel then the $12 version

Timbecon Sharpening Jig

I just fell in love with the jig Les Miller showed us at the WWW show, two blocks of wood with a 30 degree angle which act as sleds with a board screwed to each that spans the width of your stone, sit the blade on the stone, hold the blade with both hands and go for it! I found a piece of plate glass for my jig to ride up and down on. I glued blocks of wood to the glass to keep the stone in position. Thank you very much Les! Simple and cheap!

Mark

I saw a jig like that a few years ago in a copy of FWW. I thought then that it would work well for SS since sandpaper is flat and level. However, while stones are flat they are less likely to be level. Hence I could not imagine that the sled angle (be it 25 or 30 degrees) will be kept constant on a stone. Is this not the case?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,
You are correct, the stones two working faces must be parallel to each other for Les's idea to work. I keep a new stone aside for honing and where I work I can rework my stones.