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Honing guide chisels and plane irons.

There are a lot of guides on the market for honing chisels and plane irons. Trying to decide if i really need one and if so which one to buy. Going to be sharpening using the "scary sharp sandpaper" method. Have sharpened chisels this way before without a guide and it works well. But a plane iron is a little bigger. So any suggestions will help.

thanks

russ

No greater Loves than God, Family, Friends, country, the sight of flying chips and the smell of saw dust.

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Master CarpenterPermalink Reply by Wayne Mahler on February 20, 2012 at 6:38pm

I have and use Veritas Mark II. I really enjoy it and find spending time sharpening my tools is a great way to relax and still get something accomplished. Waiting to get a worksharp but will still finish with 8000 water stone. Just something about doing it by hand, with or with out guide.

Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

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JourneymanPermalink Reply by Adam Welker on February 21, 2012 at 5:05pm

I use both the MK II and a cheap old "eclipse" guide. They are 15 bucks and work great. That said, the scary Sharp method is what I used for years until I realized how much money I was wasting on paper. After 2 years of buying paper i spent enough to buy quality waterstones that last a lifetime. They are an investment if you plan to work wood the rest of your life. Quality oil stones are an excellent option as well and were what I used as a teenager when i first got serious about the craft. $300 on 3 waterstones and a flattening stone and you are set for at least 7 or8 years.

Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

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JourneymanPermalink Reply by Ken Rasmussen on February 22, 2012 at 12:47pm

I personally believe that a honing guide is a good thing. I do not do it often enough to gain the necessary muscle memory to be consistent at it. I started with the Veritas guide and the sandpaper. I quickly realized the scary sharp method with the paper was a PITA. I have since upgraded to the MKII Veritas and Norton waterstones. I can now do a quick hone and touch up in just a couple of minutes and the edge is really sharp. I will never go back to sandpaper

My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist

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CarpenterPermalink Reply by Arlin Eastman on February 24, 2012 at 10:24pm

Russell

I use the grinder to get a hollow grind on all the tools. I then hone using a diamond home 8"x3" by woodcraft. I use the 360 and then the 1200. I have never had better results then by using this method. In the machine shop in the military we sharpened everyones tools and I have by far this is the best method for a superior method. You can hone again several times using the diamond 1200 before having to go to the grinder again.

It does not cost much and it is super easy.

Matter of fact I have been doing other plane blades, chiesls, and turning tools for a slight fee to help my club. Let me know.

Arlin