Sharpening a Chisel
Keeping your chisel sharp is one of the most important things you can do as a woodworker. A properly maintained and sharp chisel can mean the difference between smooth, clean cuts and jagged, uneven surfaces. Its also the key to producing the best possible joints with perfect alignment of parts. Knowing how to sharpen your chisel properly is an essential skill that all woodworkers should master.
In general, there are two separate parts of the blade that need to be sharpened – the bevel and the back. The bevel is the angled edge that you use to cut the wood. The back is the flat portion of the blade that faces out. To properly sharpen your chisel, both parts must be maintained.
When youre getting started, its best to use a sharpening jig. A sharpening jig is a device that helps you keep your bevel and back perfectly aligned at a consistent angle. This helps you remove as little metal as possible and maintain the chisels shape and strength.
To use the jig, first, sharpen the bevel. Place the chisel, bevel down, in the jig. Start by honing the bevel with a fine grit stone at a consistent angle, then slightly increase the angle with a medium grit stone, and finally polish the bevel with a fine grit stone.
Once the bevel is sharp, you can then move on to the back of the blade. Make sure that the jig is placed at the same angle as the bevel to maintain the chisels shape. Start by honing the back with a fine grit stone, followed by a medium grit stone, and finish with a fine grit stone.
When youre done sharpening, its important to check the blade. Look to make sure that the blade is sharp and even, with the bevel and back perfectly aligned at a consistent angle. If everything looks good, youre done.
Its important to remember that when sharpening a chisel, accuracy is key. You should strive for a consistent angle, and make sure that the bevel and back are aligned perfectly. This may take some practice, but if you take your time and pay attention to detail, you should be able to get a perfect blade every time.
