How Sharp Must Your Tools Be - Safety & Effectiveness

There is a lot of information out there on sharpening. It can be intimidating. But elements often glossed over is how sharp does a tool need to do it's job. Can you get away with a level achieved with a coarse stone on tools such as chisels, planes, axes, gouges or must you always achieve a mirror polish before a tool is save and effective.
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Tools & Material Used in this video:
Associate Links (they give a little on back end to wortheffort)
The DMT stones I use can be found on my Amazon page www.amazon.com...
Non-Associate Links (No compensation for recommendation)
The sharpening jig I used this episode was from Lee Valley. leevalley.com
Associates Link of other items such as Tool, Book, etc.... I already own/use in woodworking craft that are available on Amazon - www.amazon.com...
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[@yotamgosh]

I love how this video asks and answers an important question that goes beyond the technical "how things are done" and explains "why things are done".

[@JasonQuackenbushonGoogle]

more sense in 15 minutes than ive gotten out of hours watching other tool sharpening videos.

[@kellanaldous7092]

Just imagine if you'd watched the other 9! ;)

[@loucinci3922]

Well said. I couldn't agree more with you about keeping it simple. Just use the tool. If it doesn't cut well or is hard to work with, consider sharpening it. That is what I was taught by my grandfather. That is what I taught my son. Thanks for sharing.

[@artswri]

Great, very practical and useful presentation! Pointing out that the power that is applied to the tool when it's in use is an important consideration in how sharp the tool needs to be; something I have rarely heard mentioned but is a key point (a fine point, ha). The real takeaways for me. .. Sharpen when the tool feels like it's not cutting properly. Do minimal sharpening to restore the edge (so minimal material removal). Go back to coarser steps only when needed. Practice (and practice more)!

[@kailetaylor021]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your channel. I'm new to woodworking and have been using your videos as my primary source to learn how to use the lathe. It has been slow going but step by step I am getting there. My father taught me when I was about 12 and I'm getting back into it at 34.

[@donmahan2374]

A very good pragmatic and wholistic review of sharpening woodworking tools, one of your best.

[@mortenolesen1772]

Thanks Shawn, another informative video. I'm still waiting for pen turning pt 3? No rush, but I'll love to see your production run. Luv luv luv

[@LoosiuFlying]

Yours videos have that unique quality of making people understanding the subject not only showing how to do things. Now I'm more aware and brave how and when to sharp the tools.

[@genekatauskas6904]

NO SH-- dude, we're trimming wood. We are not cutting your skin. Nice. Job🔨

[@dougdays8095]

what an incredible awesome channel ! holyy .. i was going to build a workbench and came across you yesterday, been watching them alll.. great great channel

[@kellanaldous7092]

You're wearing a microphone but it sounds like the audio is coming from the camera's mic. XD Great channel I learn so much here!

[@thomashverring9484]

Excellent video, Shawn! I've watched many sharpening (etc.) videos, but this made everything a lot clearer. Thank you!

[@maxkangen]

Fantastic video mate, thanks for the info on sharpening. I have also just started to try carving and loving it. Now i know why i was having to use so much effort with only a 120 grit sharp chisels.

[@jasongoodrich9055]

you are back to your full next level videos again.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

The shaving example was excellent

[@Brian-tb1zs]

Excellent video and more importantly explanations of why 👍

[@vh9040]

Another great video. Thanks so much for your honesty and practicality.

[@RGRGJKK]

Pura vida mi amigo great idea because sometimes sharpening becomes a crucial task at the worshop

[@RobinDobbie]

Audio only on the right? On windows 10? Go to your settings, ease of access, audio, mono audio toggle Don't forget to flip it off when you're done with this video

[@bloke875]

Really appreciate your straight forward pragmatic approach. I have just upgraded to a series of CBN wheels myself, (80, 180, & 320) grit. My question is What shaft speed is better for 8” (200mm) wheels?

[@wortheffort]

Most grinders are categories as low speed or not. I’d pick low speed.

[@bloke875]

@@wortheffort Thanks, but my grinder whistles along at 2700 Rpm & my gut feeling is that is way too fast for CBN wheels. My original grinder had stones on it, which I changed out to CBN’s. As an ex sparkie I might build a variable speed unit and try it out. Again thanks.

[@wortheffort]

@@bloke875 you don’t have a low speed grinder.

[@bloke875]

@@wortheffort No I don’t at present. But have just watched your episode on grinders and noted the default speed is is 1000rpm below mine. So that settles it for me, my gut feeling was correct & I will build a variable speed control and fit it and then see how it goes. Many thanks for your videos, they are a real help. Cheers

[@chrisforker7487]

Another great informative video! Thanks

[@dennisleksander3387]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a much better Idea now how to choose which grit to sharpen too! Great to know I don't have to sharpen to 8K grit each time!

[@ZaidsBAMF]

Love this topic! I'd be interested to see how long an useable edge can be kept based on how finely it's sharpened. Further, I wonder how important are the fine and superfine stones if you are honing the edge...what would happen if you honed straight from the medium stone? How useable and durable is that edge?

[@justinsane332]

excellent presentation as always.

[@markashlock9017]

You vids are so informative and well presented. As an admitted newbie, is it ok for me to practice on green wood that turns like “budda”? Or, am I setting myself up for disappointment when I get to the “real world” of seasoned hard wood blanks? Any advice would be appreciated and thanks for all you do for the wood turning community!!! Hope you never get that “teaching itch”…scratched ; )

[@digitaltamer]

With the turning tools you said you are going back and forth all the time. With a spindle gouge or skew, how often is that happening during a project? 5...10...20 minutes of turning? Also, FYI - I was watching with headphone and the sound only comes through one side. You mentioned a new mic, I assume it has something to do with it as my headphones are working fine.

[@MrMikeEdie]

Good advice thanks. Love your channel.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

I’ve seen a lot of sharpening information but I think you’re packing all of it and presenting it better. After these videos you shouldn’t have a dull blade in the whole shop. While you’re already sharpening one thing but maybe video production takes priority.

[@RobinDobbie]

When the 4 shavings are compared side-by-side, the 160 and 1000 were out of focus, completely, so we missed out on being able to see that difference in detail described.

[@badwolf5245]

I keep my chisels just sharp enough to cut open my fingers when making dovetails, everytime.

[@yotamgosh]

that's a lot like how I keep my carving knife. I know it's time to take a break when I need to bandage my fingers :P

[@bettycushing9239]

Hey wortheffort can you show me how to sharpen my tools without wolverine just the main ones you use. I have just a regular bench grinder a lot of the time I will turn the grinder off to try to slow the grinder down for lower rpms.Betty

[@wortheffort]

Already have a video on that in turning series.

[@RatedRWoodturning]

Is there any issue using cbn wheel to sharpen a high carbon steel chisel or plane blade? Heard it could gum the wheel

[@wortheffort]

no. brass and copper will gum it up but not steel.

[@wortheffort]

See today's video.

[@RatedRWoodturning]

@@wortheffort i actually did watch all of that one too. Must of missed it or go distracted by the kids. Thanks

[@goodaggie]

what is the jig to sharpen the cough

[@erikoldin9433]

Im not sure if its just me but i am only getting adiuo on one side of my headphones. Great video as always! 👍

[@jreitman2007]

Same here...only in my right ear.

[@michaelsallee7534]

Years ago I asked my grandfather to teach me the use of a scythe. He would not until I learned how to sharpen. I thought I was "good". I asked him for an explanation...he held out his hand and spread out all five digits. Well he proceeded and I learned, first a file to establish a shape, then for "oh NO"; nothing else. Sharpening a blade also means maintaining the edge. I learned; that when I was ready he taught me, but first a gift. He gave me his grandfather's drawknife. It had never had a mechanical sharpener used (not even hand-cranked). The beauty was useful sharp and tho pre-civil war 1/8" short from the factory set. He would not let my father even see it much the less touch it. Years later my cousin had a small fence line of weeds, I suggested he think about a scythe. He was never taught, I said grandfather taught me. He asked me what he said...I shook out my hand and opened all five digits. "That sounds like grandpa" than once sharp' you may need to hone 30 / 40 times per day. so a stone in your back pocket to hone with.

[@מעייןהמלבלבתחייםםםם]

Thanks!!! Enjoy the video!!

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

Get your tools in shape and keep them honed on your finest stone.

[@jakobrosenqvist4691]

I sharpen all my knives to 1500 and then touch up the edge with a pice of marble. I have never found i need more than that. Then i set different angles depending on what the blade is for.

[@pablolichtig2536]

Thanks!

[@Evel1847]

BRAVO!!

[@bobrees4363]

Late 1970's Jr high and high school woodshop, we had a Norton Chrystalon combination stone for everything, and a tan colored slip stone for the round gouges. 30 wt Non-detergent oil was the honing fluid. Guess what? Planes and chisels cut wood just fine. I think people these days have more money to spend and want to justify spending it, so they try to tell everyone else that you "need" to sharpen to XXXX grit. All you really need is technique.

[@joespilman7333]

Tks agin

[@Andy-jq5yw]

Just me or only right side sound?

[@joek.2132]

Not just you, I also have only right side audio.

[@wortheffort]

Good to know. Using new mics.

[@tomhargreaves8820]

Same here. I checked with other channels and got both sides on them. BUT it was worth the effort to put the earpiece in the ear I can hear better out of to listen to the whole thing - and that was really important for someone as OC as I am! Thanks and keep sharing!

[@TokenRing1024]

Makes sense

[@J.A.Smith2397]

You my boy blue

[@RobyWanKenobi]

I can only hear static.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Some woods will tear out at 180 grit; why don’t videos about sharpening ever focus on what’s being cut ? Burled wood cuts differently than straight grain maple

[@wortheffort]

I think I've got more than enough content out there on our favorite material and it clearly shows I'm in the camp of picking out the proper wood for the application for the very reason you just mentioned. I mean seriously, my times worth to much to deal with wood that fights back. I'd rather pick out good stuff from the start so that's what I teach. I only use the wild stuff for accents or art piece so those can be treated individually and usually not with hand powered blades. But to answer your question "why", because it's about sharpening and not use. It's like watching a video about building an engine and asking why they aren't talking about tires.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@wortheffort I should have been more specific, sorry - one advantage of cutting green bowls out of Burl is that they dry with less warping because there’s not one direction to the grain - and Burl bowls are gorgeous. They sell for much more money, and might be worth your time to “fight”it. A video on sharpening that excludes exotic woods is incomplete- that’s my point. “Our favorite”? Maple ? And I’m giving general feedback - so many sharpening videos show great success with domestic hardwoods, then we students try 180 grit-sharpened bowl gouges on an exotic wood, and it’s a disaster. Please teach us how to cut the more difficult woods. Your Xmas ornaments would be incredible out of chakte viga or purple heart or macassar ebony or pink ivory or thuya Burl or lacewood. Exotics for decorative purposes IS the proper wood for the application. Maple falls a bit short in the flair category. (Sharpening isn’t about use ? That engine/tire metaphor is off target; no one expects a tuneup to fix a flat. A properly sharpened tool should cut any wood that’s commonly put on a lathe.) Too bad - you didn’t think about it, defended your “camp”, and (I guess) thought you were being insulted. Students want to learn how to do what they’re interested in, not hearing back from the teacher that their time isn’t worth it. (And I’m willing to pay you for your time, as you know.) And…..Not all exotics are difficult to cut. “Your faults….are all in your mind…..you tend to play defensive.” Farrell’s Caddie (John Updike)

[@wortheffort]

@@patrickbrennan2864 this was a beginners video….

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@wortheffort Guess what they call exotic woods in the places they come from ? “Domestics” I always thought that was, well, a broader perspective- friends in Istanbul get very excited to have some mahogany to work with- so - an “exotic” is any wood we can’t get in our own area I guess Lots of them are easy to cut Which of your videos cover exotic woods ?

[@wortheffort]

@@patrickbrennan2864 look to my prerequisite series for my perspective on woods. And again, my stuff is targeted at learners. Exotics and difficulty are not in that realm.

[@benconstruct]

Can’t hear u….