Carving Tools Sharpening Workshop
The purpose of this Workshop is to teach the basics of shaping and sharpening carving gouges (and other curved-edge tools). The Workshop will cover (1) creating the proper geometry of the cutting edge, (2) honing the edge, and (3) polishing (stropping) the edge. The ultimate goal is to create a properly shaped cutting edge that cuts smoothly and effortlessly through wood to create a smooth, burnished wood surface, straight from the tool. Proper cutting edge geometry is formed using relatively coarse abrasive bench stones and slip stones. The cutting edge is then refined using very fine abrasive bench stones and slip stones. The final edge is then honed to ultimate sharpness using an abrasive impregnated leather strop.
The Workshop will focus on sharpening students’ own carving tools, but for those just starting out in carving, please see the attached list of suggested carving tools. A variety of different sharpening media can be used to sharpen carving tools. Traditionally, carving tools were sharpened with oil stones (abrasives using oil as the lubricating medium), but water-lubricated sharpening stones (“water stones”) can also be used, but they “dish” significantly more that oil stones as water stones are softer. If you plan to use water stones, you must bring a sharpening mat to contain the water/mess.
Suggested oil stones:
Coarse:
Norton India Bench Stone # B8Coarse, 8” x 2” ($31.99) (sharpeningsupplies.com)
Norton India Round Edge Slip Stone #NS44CRS 4 1/2” x 1 3/4” ($19.99) (sharpeningsupplies.com)
Fine:
Hard Translucent Arkansas Stone #T-ARK82, 8” x 2” ($127.19) (sharpeningsupplies.com)
Optionally: Hard Black Arkansas Stone #B-ARK82, 8” x 2” ($116.23) (sharpeningsupplies.com)
Note: translucent Arkansas grade provides a finer surface compared to “black” or “hard” grades of Arkansas.
Taytools Genuine Arkansas Whetstone Novaculite Slip Sharpening Stones #776988, 4” x 2” ($26.99) (taytools.com)
Strop
These can be homemade – leather rubber-cemented to a flat piece of wood is fine.
Sharpal 204N Leather strop, 8” x 3” kit with 2 oz. Polishing compound ($16.99) (Amazon)
Suggested water stones or diamond stones:
Coarse
Trend double sided 300/1000 grit diamond stone, 8” x 3” ($63.05) (Amazon)
Fine
Shapton Kuromaku #5000 ($61.00) (Amazon)
Sharpening mat ($24.50) (leevalley.com)
Suggested basic set of carving tools
V-tool, 60 degree, approx. 10 mm
No. 9 straight gouge, approximately 1/4”, 1/2” (6 mm, 13 mm)
No. 3 straight gouge, approx 1/4”, 1/2”, 3/4” (6 mm, 13 mm, 19 mm)
No. 6 straight gouge, approx. 1/2” (13 mm)
Skew chisel, approx. 10 mm
Sources: toolsforworkingwood.com stocks Ashley Iles carving tools. Good brand, slightly cheaper than Pfeil/Swiss made
Woodcraft.com stocks Pfeil/Swiss made. Also extensive selection is available in-store at the Woodcraft in Timonium.
Note: the curvature of carving gouges is denoted by the “no.”: No. 9 is the deepest curvature and No. 2 is the shallowest curvature. It is not essential that you select the exact curvature and width of tool noted above. I.e., a No. 9, 5 mm or a No. 8, 6 mm will usually function equivalently to a No. 9, 5 mm.
Instructor: Tom Blinka
This Workshop will be held Tuesday afternoons 5/26, 6/2 and 6/9 from 3-6 PM at the Bain 50+ Center Guild shop.
Fee $45.00 (Students supply all of their own tools and equipment.)
Contact Mark Fradkin with questions or to register: mfradkin55@gmail.com
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