Sharp Edges

I'm the best person I know at sharpening my own tools but I'm not sure if I'd be the best at sharpening yours.

I've worked with people that have their own approaches and witnessed others with a mind boggling array of approaches. For a while I wondered if I might have room for improvement, (I didn't). The reality is, things are much more complex these days, just working out what to buy and how to use can be daunting and potentially expensive.

There is no wrong way, full stop. Especially if you do this for fun. But it's worth noting how professionals do their work and mirroring them, mastering their method and then just get on with the real fun of making or enjoy sharpening a lot, both are valid.

So what's a professional? In my opinion they should have a portfolio of work. It doesn't need to be shown with slick modern photos, just a good range of work. You should also be able to see them sharpening (everyone that wants your attention has a video doing the rounds these days). The cycle time should be fast and clean, not rushed, there is a difference. Dull edge on the stone to edge sharp should be 30 seconds or two minutes at the most and straight back to work. In my opinion these are the three criteria. Fast, Clean and Back to Work.

But what about sharpening mediums, jigs, honing fluids, grinders, steels etc? Sure, let's create a flow chart nobody would agree on, No! If you're following someone online or in the workplace you'll align yourself with them and bring everything together as they do. Once you are happy and confident, then sure, get curious. But until then, practice!

The great thing about sharpening straight edge tools (overwhelmingly chisels and plane irons) is you have to do it nearly every time your at your bench. If you want to use hand tools, even only a bit, it'll be near impossible to get through a project without sharpening. That includes any of your modern miracle steels.

For me, sharpening never stops. Because a sharpening routine for me must be Fast, Clean and Back to Work nothing is postponed. This way nothing is never left blunt, their is no inventory of dull edges for hours of sharpening at the end of a project. I think there's even a degree of self respect to knowing everything at hand is good and sharp.

Is this the best way to sharpen? It's how I do it, you and your mentor, virtual or otherwise, may do it another way. But as long as you can get your edges sharp Fast, Clean and you're Back to Work you'll know your on a good path.