I'm in the process of learning the pleasure of good quality and
properly setup tools. I recently bought 1000x and 4000x waterstones
and sharpened my block plane iron and my Marples blue chip chisels
(and my kitchen knives) following the instructions in Leonard Lee's
book.

I was able to get the chisels to be pretty sharp - I chopped mortices
in pine using only hand pressure, no hammer or mallet. The back and
bevel are pretty shiny, though not quite mirror finish (I could see my
nose but not my nose hairs). The plane creates beautiful, thin curly
shavings, though I haven't tried hardwood yet.

But they're not scary sharp - I couldn't cut off arm hairs and I
didn't have any magical transforming experience like I've heard you
get from super sharp tools. Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

Michael

Power strop with Chromium Oxide after your fine Arkansas or ceramic, and
you'll have a superb edge.

BTW, as carvers can tell you, the use of a mallet is to give control, not
apply force.

"Michael Press" wrote in message
news

I'm in the process of learning the pleasure of good quality and
properly setup tools.

I was able to get the chisels to be pretty sharp - I chopped mortices
in pine using only hand pressure, no hammer or mallet. The back and
bevel are pretty shiny, though not quite mirror finish (I could see my
nose but not my nose hairs). The plane creates beautiful, thin curly
shavings, though I haven't tried hardwood yet.

Michael,
Yes, true sharpness and the full appreciation thereof will come with more
practice. I would suggest you go to the 8000 grit stone and then finish off
with a touch of the strop.

To help in your technique, get a jewelers or photographers loupe and inspect
the edge after each transition from stone to stone.

However, with the Marples blue chips you might have a hard time. They are
not capable of retaining a fine edge for more than a few strokes.

Dave


"Michael Press" wrote in message
news

I'm in the process of learning the pleasure of good quality and
properly setup tools. I recently bought 1000x and 4000x waterstones
and sharpened my block plane iron and my Marples blue chip chisels
(and my kitchen knives) following the instructions in Leonard Lee's
book.

I was able to get the chisels to be pretty sharp - I chopped mortices
in pine using only hand pressure, no hammer or mallet. The back and
bevel are pretty shiny, though not quite mirror finish (I could see my
nose but not my nose hairs). The plane creates beautiful, thin curly
shavings, though I haven't tried hardwood yet.

But they're not scary sharp - I couldn't cut off arm hairs and I
didn't have any magical transforming experience like I've heard you
get from super sharp tools. Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

Michael




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On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:57:38 -0400, Michael Press
wrote:

Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

No point going beyond 4000 grit unless the steel is up to it.
--
Smert' spamionam

But they're not scary sharp - I couldn't cut off arm hairs and I
didn't have any magical transforming experience like I've heard you
get from super sharp tools. Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

Michael

Hi Michael,

I, like you have not achieved the zen of scary sharpness either,
but I have come to terms with it.

Once I get my Marples face (not got to hair) sharp, I tentatively test
them on my forearm to see if some hairs will actually scrape
off. If they do, then I oil it down and place it gently in its original
wooden storage container only to gently lift the next larger size
out for the same exercise.

Call SWMBO down to the shop to "see" herself - get a "yawn".

I have 6 of those babies and am up to the 5/8.

Of course, I never use them - just use my old beat up Stanley's
handed down from my (rest in peace) Uncle. Scrape
them over the sandpaper remnants from the Marples exercise
and actually use them.

Once I get my good set scary sharp. there's no telling where
my woodworking will go.

I can't even imagine what one could do with something better
than Marples, but that's where I am - lowly as it may be.

Sick but basically (sort of) true.

Lou

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:57:38 -0400, Michael Press
wrote:

snip
But they're not scary sharp - I couldn't cut off arm hairs and I
didn't have any magical transforming experience like I've heard you
get from super sharp tools. Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

4000 grit is good enough for knives and such, but you *need* to go up
to 8000 grit for things like plane irons and chisels. You'll see your
nose hairs and then some and you'll be able to shave all the arm hair
you want. But, like Steve Knight says, shiny doesn't mean sharp. Your
plane iron honed to a mirror finish on 2000 grit sandpaper is not as
sharp as your semi shiny plane iron sharpened on a 4000 grit
waterstone.

Layne

Also, I forgot to mention for 4000 grit waterstones and up you need to
prep the surface of the waterstone with a nagura stone. Lightly run
the nagura stone back and forth and sideways over the wet stone and
build a slurry.

Layne

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:57:38 -0400, Michael Press
wrote:


Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?


It could. As long as you've gotten to 4000 properly, an 8000 stone
will give you a sharper edge. Just remember to flatten the stones on
a regular basis.


Barry

I've been very happy using the Scary Sharp system, but the steel I'm
using for plane blades (old guillotine paper cutter; automobile leaf
spring) may not be good enough to make a difference.

I wonder if a plane blade sharpened on an 8000x waterstone would be
any better than my scaryshare blades after the first couple of strokes
on wood??

Question: Has anyone who has placed in, say, the top five at the
national planing championships been a scarysharp sharpner?? That
should be good evidence for what works best at this incredible, though
perhaps not "real life", competition.

Jim

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004 01:23:25 +0100, Andy Dingley
wrote:

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:57:38 -0400, Michael Press
wrote:

Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

No point going beyond 4000 grit unless the steel is up to it.

Drag it over a piece of plain leather about three strokes. You will shave
hairs.

"Michael Press" wrote in message
news

I'm in the process of learning the pleasure of good quality and
properly setup tools. I recently bought 1000x and 4000x waterstones
and sharpened my block plane iron and my Marples blue chip chisels
(and my kitchen knives) following the instructions in Leonard Lee's
book.

I was able to get the chisels to be pretty sharp - I chopped mortices
in pine using only hand pressure, no hammer or mallet. The back and
bevel are pretty shiny, though not quite mirror finish (I could see my
nose but not my nose hairs). The plane creates beautiful, thin curly
shavings, though I haven't tried hardwood yet.

But they're not scary sharp - I couldn't cut off arm hairs and I
didn't have any magical transforming experience like I've heard you
get from super sharp tools. Is there another level of sharp I need to
achieve? Would an 8000x waterstone get me there?

Michael