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Sharpening: The Scary Sharp Method

A lesson in an effective, inexpensive way to put an edge on chisels and plane irons, in part one of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.

By Bob Van Dyke #198–May/June 2008 Issue

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David Heim and Michael Dobsevage

Bob Van Dkye

The founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking answers questions from readers about keeping hand-tool blades sharp–with demonstrations and explanations of time-saving techniques.

Question: Can you explain the Scary Sharp method?
‘Wanda 2000,’ via Knots

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Videos in the Series

Sharpening: The Scary Sharp Method

March 26, 2008

A lesson in an effective, inexpensive way to put an edge on chisels and plane irons, in part one of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: Curved Blade Edges

March 27, 2008

What you need to know to sharpen gouges, sweeps, and such, in part two of our 8-part series
Sharpening: Honing Guides

March 27, 2008

An argument for using a guide to achieve consistent results, in part three of our 8-part series
Burnishing a Gooseneck Scraper

March 27, 2008

Putting a burr on a curve is a matter of knowing where to stop.
Sharpening: Hollow Grind or Flat Grind?

March 28, 2008

The advantages and disadvantages of these types of grind, in part five of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening
Sharpening: Stropping Blades

March 28, 2008

How to give a freshly sharpened blade a final touch. Part six of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: Different Bevel Angles

March 28, 2008

Yes, but you need not be obsessed with precise bevel angles. Part seven of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.
Sharpening: A2 vs. O1 Steel

March 28, 2008

The A2 steel has added chromium so it stays sharp longer. Part eight of this 8-part series answering your questions about sharpening.

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Bob Van Dkye The founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking answers questions from readers about keeping hand-tool blades sharp–with demonstrations and explanations of time-saving techniques. More about this Video Workshop

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