Author: Caril_Chasens, Contributing Editor

It can be a graceful action, to cut with a sharp tool, and a well-sharpened tool can make a beautiful cut. Scratchy lines in the cut indicate a flaw in the tool edge. For general purposes, the angle at the tip should be perhaps between 15° and 25°.

Hard woods require a relatively wide angle; scrapers may require a wide angle. Experiment. There are many sharpening systems. With any power system, consider hazards to the tool and to yourself. Overheating will take the temper out of the steel, losing its hardness. You can do a good job of sharpening cheaply with abrasive paper. Perhaps 150 to 300 grit wet-dry paper will shape the edge. The tool will make a nicer looking cut and hold up better if it is polished mirror bright. A 15 micron, followed by perhaps 5 and then .5 micron abrasive sheet could do a good job efficiently. Be careful to maintain a proper angle in grinding and polishing. It is practical to use a slightly narrower angle on the coarser abrasives. In general, when sharpening tools, think about which surface or surfaces you should grind, and why. If you decide to bevel both surfaces, be aware of the total angle. Good quality tools will take a good edge. When buying chisels and gouges, be aware whether or not they are intended for use with a mallet. This tool is not sharpened all the way to the edge:

This was rocked or ground at an excessive angle:

This has what is called a wire edge:

A wire edge can be broken off by cutting scrap wood or stropping on leather. Then, sharpen up and polish the edge. If a tool doesn't cut well, consider the shape. For instance, a gouge that is shaped like this may bind in deep cuts:

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