Still working on sharpening my tools on the way to making a dovetail project. I must say if you told me even two short years ago that I would be proud to post the following pictures – I would have rolled my eyes. Now, however, the scene changes to being able to finally post those pictures.
So here are my first real shavings with a blade that I sharpened.
The first picture is edge shavings
Here is a pile of face grain shavings.
My chisels are getting better also!
Sharper chisel——better dovetail
I still have a ways to go but I think I’m getting there.
I really appreciate all the help and tips you all have been giving me. I can see myself doing that dovetail project pretty soon.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
10 comments so far
GaryK
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8243 posts in 389 days
posted 84 days ago
Sharp tools can make all the difference Betsy.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Eric
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530 posts in 185 days
posted 84 days ago
Awesome. I love sharpening.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
rikkor
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6614 posts in 276 days
posted 84 days ago
I don’t love sharpening, but I love sharp tools.
-- Maplewood, MN
Scott Bryan
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7957 posts in 223 days
posted 84 days ago
I agree with rikkor, somewhat. Sharpening is like mowing the grass. It is not something I love doing but looking at the end result makes the process worthwhile. But it is an epiphany of sorts when you begin using sharp tools. All sorts of new possibilities open up for you.
Have fun.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
GMoney
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88 posts in 204 days
posted 84 days ago
Nice job Betsy! The tools look very sharp now and it will be a pleasure to make your dovetails with them. I agree too that your dovetails look great now!
-- Greg, CT
jjohn
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396 posts in 115 days
posted 84 days ago
I really fall short when it comes to keeping my tools sharp as they should be. I kinda sharpen then only when I have to. Bad me. And there are many times when I have to.
-- JJohn
teenagewoodworker
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1740 posts in 169 days
posted 84 days ago
wow those look really sharp. it does make everything so much easier to. my chisels are so bad that they won’t hold an edge for more that a couple of minutes. its good to see that you’ve got the hang of sharpening and are now producing some really nice and sharp tools. that will help you out a lot along the way. keep up the great work.
Eric
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530 posts in 185 days
posted 84 days ago
For me it’s relaxing. Something about the sound of the chisels going back and forth across the stones, I dunno, it’s kind of like a zen moment or something. A messy zen moment.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Betsy
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1550 posts in 297 days
posted 83 days ago
Thanks guys. I’m certainly on my way.
Eric—- I think you are right about the zen thing. But I think, for me anyway, that applies to all the hand tool stuff. It’s so quite and relaxing. Not that I plan on giving up my power tools, but the power zen is not as relaxing as the hand tool zen.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
grovemadman
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541 posts in 173 days
posted 83 days ago
That’s what I’m talkin’ about – nice razor sharp tools and shavings you hate to throw away. I save my shavings and bring them camping with me to sacrifice them to the woodworking gods. The gods hav smiled upon me for the most part so far…..
-- --Chuck