Thread: SideSharpening and The Sharp Skate Honing Guide

Your comments please Derek.

Mini

The DMT jig is very limited in application. It has only two bevel angles (25 and 30 degrees). Essentially, this is a jig for establishing a primary bevel only since the diamond stones that are designed for it at best equal 1200 grit.

Hi Silent

Let's separate "freehand Side Sharpening" and the "Sharp Skate" (which uses side sharpening).

I do believe that freehand side sharpening is easier than front-and-back - especially with thin blades. All things even, it is a more natural movement and it is less likely to round over a bevel. However, I think that one must keeps things in perspective. Freehand side sharpening is not recommended when the length of the bevel exceeds it width, such as with narrow chisels. Side Sharpening is ideal for users of the typical Western plane blade (up to 1/8" thick).

Therein lies the irony. The likely targeted buyers of the Skate Sharp will be newby Japanese plane/chisel users. Yet thick blades with wide bevels are terribly easy to hone freehand, and a guide is not needed - side or otherwise.

There will always be pros and cons for every sharpening system. No one does it all. I use both guides and freehand, machines, sandpaper, diamond stones,m, waterstones, ceramic stones ...diamond paste ... have I left anything out? My aim here was to bring to the attention a few other sharpening methods. I do not believe that the Sharp Skate will last long on the market as it is too expensive. But I am a fan of freehand side sharpening.

Regards from Perth

Derek