Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio
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IN, USA
Posted: 1/4/2026 5:29:04 PM EDT
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What do you all use for sharpening/honing chisels? I'm primarily interested in sharpening by hand. I've used a Spyderco Sharpmaker for years (flat on the back of the box), but that setup is far from ideal or pleasant for this purpose. My first inclination is to get wider stones of grit similar to the Sharpmaker, but thought I'd ask the smarter people here. |
"Do not overthink it, gentlemen. It's only a gunfight, not an IRS tax audit." - Louis Awerbuck
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Katz-Moses Jig I can freehand but a jig is easier for me and much more consistent. I’ve used different ones but the JKM one is hard to beat. |
“That’s not how it works. You buy more tools and power than you need and as you fuck everything up you gain the knowledge to become a better carpenter.”
Tveddy
Tveddy
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I do a hybrid of scary sharp I will hard wheel grind to get back past big chips or pitting on old chisels I have bought. Then its on to 220 grit wet sandpaper, up to 2000 grit. Most I free hand sharpen - I think I can get a pretty good edge despite not having a good honing guide roller I use a big granite block I got from harbor freight a long time ago as the flat surface. Holds a full sheet of sandpaper perfectly After 2000 wet paper I will use 4000 and 8000 grit water stone which mostly takes care of the burr. Touching up the blade I might start with an 800 grit - it depends. Always do the back, too. I will do a micro bevel too |
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I use the Scary Sharp system with the 3M lapping film and float glass. I bought a new angle guide from Bridge City on a screaming Black Friday deal.  Attached File Attached File |
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I have a pre-Makita version of this rotary wet stone (shown with the jointer knife sharpener attachment). It is also great for flattening and polishing backs and forming the front edge bevels. I also use a pre-Bridge City version of that "Scary Sharp" holder on stationary wet stones for touching up the edge. I guess I have been doing woodworking for quite a while. 
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M Power The end of the pocket hole jig skip to 7:45 to see this in action Have not tried the JKM honing guide mentioned above but they make awesome stuff and I have a bunch of his tools in my woodshop. |
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I forgot to mention this. I have two different types of chisels - carpentry and woodworking. For my rough work (Craftsman carpentry chisels), I'll use almost anything to sharpen them, even a file if I burr the edge. I often use a piece of 600 grit sand paper, some oil and an old, thick glass slab to sharpen them, too. It is the woodworking chisels that get the Japanese water stone treatment. |