More Debunking Myths and Mysteries
I have to say that I am surprised by Asa C’s article on honing guides. I found it intolerant and biased. Some statements seem written with the intent to persuade rather than present, with the use of certain terms; for instance, in his pro-guide bias he uses terms like, “Why the honing guide beats handheld.” And “Guide—Always the right angle.” Then, when opposing the hand held he says that hand held is a “Balancing Act”, that you generally use hollow grinding on a grinding wheel and with that usual air of authority, makes statements like “Where hand held goes wrong” when hand held need not go wrong at all and neither need anyone use a grinding wheel. There is much more, some subtle, some not, but the point is it is highly biased and for the main part grossly untrue. And it’s all based on the presentation that there is only one acceptable standard for sharpening and that is to use micro- or secondary-bevel sharpening methods. I hasten to add yet again, in order to counter the imbalanced presentation, that for at the very least two centuries, woodworkers of every caliber, trade and skill level used a cambered bevel of the type Asa C presents as unacceptable and unsuitable when in actuality it produces the perfect cutting edge and exactly the same cutting edge as secondary-bevel sharpening using jigs in a fraction of the time it takes to use a honing guide. Further more, he suggests the unnecessary use of stones that certain stones that go to 8,000 in fine increments when you can achieve equal results with 250-, 600- and 1200-grit on diamond plates and get 15,000 on the leather strop, producing and edge that will far surpass the needs of even the most discerning craftsman and all in about one minute max. I can sharpen six chisels using my method in under three minutes and be back to work and so can you and anyone else.
Magazines and editors in particular often present erroneous and fabricated information that severely distorts the truth of real woodworking. Whereas I am often inspired by this and other magazines, I hate the times when distortion and manipulation present themselves as trustworthy truths. Always remember that a lie always presents itself as truth and in so doing stands in truths stead. I would that they could open up their minds to what they preach and present what they say they do, and that is unbiased editorial articles and information to an educated following so that the audience can then try out and determine for themselves the different options.
I’m a newbie so please excuse my ignorance. I don’t get it, it being the why of the micro-bevel. I don’t understand the mechanical difference between a very precise primary bevel in front of an equally precise seconday bevel both obtained with jigs and guides and a convex edge that rises from the cutting edge at roughly the same combined angle as the bevels. I wish I could draw a picture. Is it just to sell “tools”? I now tend to ignore articles about micro-bevels since learning Paul’s methods of sharpening. I sharpened all of my chisels with a convex edge and boy let me tell you I have never had chisels this sharp. I now really have to pay attention to where the edge is so I don’t get bit. His method works for me and works quickly.
Kevin,
This is really good. We can all make a difference and keep woodworking moving forward as along as we don’t allow machines to dominate woodworking as it has for decades now.
You should go to my Youtube videos to see real woodworking in action. Sharpening or making dovetails. A few months ago I made a short video where I made a dovetailed box in a series of four videos. That was fun. The convex bevel is in their too.
I’m not surprised at all by AC’s article – it’s normal. The Crazy Sharpening brigade have put a big effort into persuading people that sharpening is difficult. They then sell and promote “solutions” to the problem, which actually really are difficult, as if to prove their point!
It’s a con trick, when it’s not simple self deception.
This is my version http://owdman.co.uk/howto/howto.htm
I think that the issue is controversial because generally people dismissed former methods that worked just as well but more quickly. Your method is not your method in the same way my method is not mine. These methods were passed down through the design of the human body adapting itself to a pre-guide method resulting from perfectly natural posture at the sharpening stones. We didn’t invent anything. It was always there.
Also, what you describe as “the Crazy Sharpening Brigade” is not the way I see it. I think many have been misinformed for decades and now it’s time to reevaluate what is being said to see if what is said is so. The jury for me is in, people are misinformed but have no standard passed on by which to gauge the truth. I am representing what is inherent to me as a working furniture maker. It’s not to condemn anyone but to bring balance to what has been biased.
I know this is an old post, but it really hit home after a very short sharpening session I had yesterday. As I was rummaging through my garage utlity toolbox I found three old chisels. Two were utility chisels with plastic handles and one was a 1/4 inch Sandvik. All were at least 30 years old and badly mangled, especially a Buck Brothers that looked like someone had used to try to cut through a nail. The backs had never been flattened on any of them. Using Paul’s hand-held technique and three diamond plates it took me around 15 minutes to flatten the backs and sharpen all three. The mangled chisel took the longest, but by carefully working it on the coarsest plate I was able to get a nice edge. All three chisels can now take thin end grain shavings and I was able to make a nice groove completely by hand with the 1/4 inch sandvik. I have several honing guides, but they are all finicky to set up, and often don’t result in a straight edge. The time required to use them discourages sharpening. Hand sharpening takes practice, but ultimately it is far easier and faster. Thanks Paul!