How to Sharpen a V Tool or Carving Gouge - Hand Tool Woodworking

[@cobberpete1]

I don't think you need to do a more comprehensive video, this one hit all the points. Thanks James

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks. I could talk about sharpening for hours on end. it is a fun topic!

[@robertkmartin5815]

I’m a woodworker and I found 16 antique Japanese woodcarving tools in a ammo box in the garage. Beautiful and very well made I just need to learn how to sharpen because they are very dull. Thanks and Semper Fi,Doc

[@jimbol8695]

That's the kind of video I like....straight to the point. Seemed pretty comprehensive to me.

[@WoodByWright]

thanks man. I could spend hours talking about the topic. It is a lot of fun for me.

[@robinmarwick1982]

Thanks James, excellent video. I've struggled to sharpen my v tool...until now thanks again.

[@esbenback8839]

Thank You very much ! Really Solved some problems for me. Very Best regards from Denmark , Esben.

[@ATINKERER]

That was good. I didn't know how to correctly sharpen a V-Tool. Now I do. Thanks.

[@tashapalmer4519]

Thank you so much. I got a second hand lathe and tools and the chisels came sharpened. I have used them a bit but wasn’t game to try sharpening. Love the way you explain things.

[@goognamgoognw6637]

Loved your video. Very efficient and you get right to the important points without wasting time unlike so many other videos that turn around the pot forever and waste the audience time only to find out they are not really experts. You have an extremely high "like" rate on your video with near zero dislikes. Absolutely love your efficiency.

[@WoodByWright]

thanks. that means a lot.

[@lokimidian6923]

Brilliant video dude! Really wanting to get into wood carving and whitling and trying to absorb as much information as possible before I spend money on tools and equipment! Thankyou for the information 🙂

[@ChrisBunney]

The loose leather strop is a great tip - thanks!

[@xxskippernate409xx6]

Just what I needed. I was handed down a set of special gouges and chisels. I need to sharpen them more, they're about 150 grit sharp now, but I meant to find one of these demonstrations.

[@Jcope1382]

Sometimes I feel like you're reading my mind James. The tips for your method on sharpening your gouge is exactly what I needed. Thanks for another informative video!

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks Jason. glad I could help. if you ever have any questions feel free to ask.

[@Jcope1382]

Absolutely, thanks!

[@aartmark]

That V tool has had me stumpted for years. Thank you.

[@WoodByWright]

LOL it is a deceiving tool!

[@cathiematthews1359]

Wow. Thanks for that! I recently brought some wood carving tools, and they need to be kept sharp! Your advice was amazingly helpful! 👍🏼🙌

[@James_T_Kirk_1701]

Thanks for this video. Couldn’t ever get my V tool to preform. This sorted out my problems.

[@melmoland988]

thanks a bunch. i found a set of tiny carving chisels when i was in japan and had absolutely no idea what to do with them

[@thatlegendarytrainer]

Perfect video, off to sharpen some gouges!

[@rickdff62]

WoW. This was so useful. Never realized there was a U-shape at the bottom of a V tool. Thanks!

[@WoodByWright]

thanks. Glad I could help out!

[@robertjahrling1877]

You did really answer questions BUT you did reinsurer some. Thanks👍

[@ellen4956]

Thank you so much! I knew how to sharpen a pocket knife but never sharpened carving tools, and just learned that I was doing it wrong the whole time! I always thought you just moved it forward on the stone, never back and forth. And I've never used a strop. I will get one.

[@WoodByWright]

Well if you have a wet stone you only want to pull it back. otherwise, you will often round the tip on the push or gouge the stone. but on diamonds that is not a worry. If you want a strop these are the ones I make and use every day. www.woodbywright.com/shop/strop

[@phoebebaker1575]

Great sharpening video!

[@sagachi2]

Thanks James ! A V-tool how-to sharpening video was exactly what i needed !

[@WoodByWright]

Glad I could help. don't have too much fun!

[@rodneywirthlin1583]

I am new to low relief carving, and this was super helpful. Thank you so much!

[@mrgrnjns1111]

Same way I do it.. Great video for the beginner.. I remember when i first started carving trying to get my v-tools sharp lol..

[@WoodByWright]

I had one person tell me they do not mess with sharpening the V-tool, they just get a new one when it is bad.

[@mrgrnjns1111]

LOL... Toss me your old ones guy i would be telling him lol.. He probably uses the flexcut interchangeable ones that are just a bit that goes into a handle or he is insanely rich lol... I have a set of those i take out in the woods with me they are decent tools.. And inexpensive..

[@john196719670]

I can hardly wait until you show us how to sharpen lathe tools

[@WoodByWright]

It is an old one but here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zOemqffbFghMU

[@ScottHaneyHello]

Another great video! Thanks for taking time and effort to explain the steps and process.

[@WoodByWright]

thanks Scott. my pleasure!

[@PatLap]

I had to get back at this video! Thanks again! 😎🤙🏼

[@TristanDare]

Great video! I'm going to keep this in mind, i have a lot of those chissels that i needed to figure out how to sharpen!

[@WoodByWright]

there are few things as enjoyable as a clean curl from a sharp gouge!

[@freespiritwithawildheart3911]

Thanks for your time, was just what I needed to know. Great stuff

[@WoodByWright]

Glad I could help.

[@kevinloftice5870]

I've been trying forever to get my gouges sharp but I still can't get it sharp, and I do it the way you do it.

[@bradknecht799]

Thanks James, gonna have to try this technique next time i get the carving tools out. I think that curve at the point is critical to get it sharp and angled correctly with the sides. Great video as usual.

[@WoodByWright]

+Brad Knecht thanks Brad. Don't have too much fun with it.

[@robertevans6481]

Thanks for sharing this video, lot of great info to digest...have a great weekend

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks Robert. you do the same.

[@theislandworkshop8453]

man i have been meaning to get round to making a sharpening station just like yours, great video dude

[@WoodByWright]

thanks! A good sharpening station is a joy for me. it takes away some of the excuses for not sharpening. LOL

[@theislandworkshop8453]

yer, i hear you

[@icespeckledhens]

Good video but no mention of incannel, where the bevel is on the inside and the one I used in joinery back in the 60's and a slipstone is useful. Thanks James

[@WoodByWright]

Yup. Those are fun. I have another video on those.

[@meryemenouski5574]

🍒 = ❤️ one love! "Les deux cerises" chisel and gouges are very good tool! I have 12 chisel's and i never change this! Good demonstration! Thank's for that! Big up from France! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@WoodByWright]

thanks. I do love my chisels!

[@andystone77]

Good video thanks

[@taliesinpardo29]

Thanks for your tips.

[@WoodByWright]

my pleasure!

[@KostasAnnikasDeftereos]

Thank you very much bro for the v tool sharpening explenation I really was very bud to sharpen this I will try now your way

[@WoodByWright]

great! Let me know how it goes!

[@KostasAnnikasDeftereos]

Wood By Wright go well to the over 8 mm V Tools but I cut make it well on the smaller!! thank you again bro !!

[@nicholasvanaria8043]

As Doug Marcaida would say from Forged in Fire, "Eeet wil cut!!!!". Thanks for the video.

[@WoodByWright]

LOL thanks Nicholas!

[@ucenicul]

thanks for sharing, especial sharpening V chiesel

[@WoodByWright]

my pleasure. thanks for watching Daniel

[@CrossroadToCountry]

Love the video... and if you had Green hands my visual would be complete. Anyone ever tell you talk a little like Kermit the Frog? 5:47 It's a compliment, not an insult. Anyway thanks I learned how to sharpen my gouges. My dad left to me when he passed and I want to take good care of them.

[@alexandruionescu3368]

Hello. I see you have a V tool at 4:54 minutes in the video. I think this is a model Two Cherries (Kirschen) 3239, can you check it, please? I need an important information: can this model of chisel 3239 be used without a mallet or hammer, as a palm chisel? Or it needs to be used with a mallet/hammer? I want to order one, but I need it to be a palm tool. Thank you! Do you happen to know what angle is it sharpened from the factory?

[@WoodByWright]

Yes that's the same one I have. Any good carving chisel can be used with just hand force. It all comes down to how well it's sharpened. Almost all carving chisels are sharpened at around 20°. This one included.

[@sofianebenhadj60]

very very good

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info James!

[@WoodByWright]

my pleasure Fred!

[@cidem81]

Very well done Thank you....

[@WoodByWright]

thanks. my pleasure!

[@BDM_PT]

Hi there from Portugal, Nice info :D Obrigado(Thanks)

[@WoodByWright]

thanks man.

[@robhunns8779]

great advice as always.

[@WoodByWright]

thanks Rob!

[@edtred1]

Good one mate

[@jackprice7419]

Can you sharpen a v tool on a cotton buffer with tripoli paste. Thanks Jack

[@WoodByWright]

Sure. You just have to be very careful not to round over the edge. The problem with cotton buffing wheels is they have a tendency to make the edge blunt by rounding it over. So you can't put much pressure on it.

[@tooljunkie555]

THANKS FOR SHARING these are good techniques..i was close but no cigar..haha! But now ik what i did wrong and ruined them..lol QUESTION: CAN I SHARPEN A BOWL GOUGE (for the lathe) USING THIS TECHNIQUES/METHODS

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks Joe. Sure I actually use to do that for finish turning. on the stone, you can get a much finer polish.

[@tooljunkie555]

Wood By Wright nice!! Now ik how to re sharpen them thanks man!!

[@johnhorsfall3281]

Hi James great video. James what is the most positive angle to do the fist and proceeding sharpening , Do the carving chisels need to be shaped from new on a cheap set of tools thank you I enjoy your videos Jphn

[@WoodByWright]

Most carving chisels are sharpened to somewhere around 20 to 25°. But that can very wildly depending upon their intended use. There really isn't such a thing as a cheap carving tool. If it is less than $20 a piece. They are usually not usable as carving tools. If It is a respectable brand. It will come from the store sharpened and ready to go.

[@bicparker1]

Just a note that the Two Cherries bevels May be less than 20 degrees for their carving chisels (their web site mentions 17 for several of their carving chisels).

[@tpav4035]

What would you recommend if my strop’s leather bit doesn’t come off like yours? Is it still possible to hone a v-tool and gouge with a strop that’s attached to a block of wood?

[@WoodByWright]

You need to be able to hone the inside. So either you can get another piece to use or you can create a shaped strop. You can do that by carving a piece of wood to match the inside profile and then applying your holding compound to that

[@robertjahrling1877]

"Handtoolpatternbaldness" LMAO My acquaintances laugh at my arms all the time

[@79Tanzer]

Is there anything special about the leather of the strop? I've just picked up a lathe & chisels. I have an assortment of leather around including some heavy veg-tanned leather and some oiled leather. Overall a great video. Thanks

[@WoodByWright]

Generally the harder the better. Most people prefer horse butt leather. But most any leather will do perfectly fine.

[@ronr7748]

Hi… what do you think of the DMT wave sharpener stone?

[@WoodByWright]

That is what I use for my gouges. I have a couple videos showing them.

[@stephenb7533]

What about sharpening a pairing gouge, besides as you’re doing a sow back gouge. The cutting edge is on in side.

[@WoodByWright]

For an in-cannel gouge do you have to use a slip stone or some other rounded sharpening stone. The other option is to put sandpaper on a dowel to match the curvature on the inside.

[@genegoodwin8925]

I haven't strted carving yet, but soon! The material in your box, is the first one , the one you use most often like a leather belt, and would an old leather belt work? I've got some stones, but I have to check to see if I have a super fine one. Thank you for your videos, I hope to learn a lot from you so I can still be creative without breathing the saw dust from my scroll saw which has damaged my lungs. You mentioned some sort of sharpen compound. WHat kind of compound and where can I buy some. Like I said, I'm new, OLD, but new at this.

[@WoodByWright]

sure any leather would work fine. I know a few people that use a belt as a strop. I prefer Horse butt as it is harder but they all work. I use zinc oxide for my hoeing compound. I sell both on my web site if you want to see more. www.woodbywright.com/shop/honingcompound

[@genegoodwin8925]

@@WoodByWright Once again I owe you my thanks. I hope I am not being a pest, please forgive if I am. I'm just excited about learning something new and something so creative. Thanks again. I'll check out your web site.

[@parwezsulemansuleman1635]

great video sir bro,l have a question please answer me, what is the best quality gauges,I mean trade mark like makita,or Stanley, hope from u.

[@WoodByWright]

there is no "best" but in my book nothing beats PFEIL amzn.to/3d0AIvy next would be Two cherries and then a bunch of others. but different people like different chisels.

[@opasworkshop8373]

Nice job brother 🖒🖒

[@WoodByWright]

thanks opa!

[@Andrew-lc3lo]

you're the man

[@donnythedart]

Nice technique!

[@WoodByWright]

thanks Donny!

[@markharris5771]

What angle do you profile your gouges at please James? I sharpen my bench chisels at 25° with a 30° micro bevel. I bought some (cheap) carving chisels and the angle must have a bevel of close to 50°. I have spent all morning changing the bevel on my smallest gouge and had to remove heck of a lot of metal to get it close to my bench chisel. I don’t want to spend a fortune on carving chisels yet, I don’t want to waste a fortune on tools I might not be able to do it with my difficulties. I also bought cheap bench chisels which have lasted me my first 12 months. I was putting the same philosophy into my carving chisels, but I might have come unstuck here. Thank you for another excellent video.

[@WoodByWright]

Usually carving chisels are between 20 and 25.

[@atomicwinter31]

Thanks for the video! It was very helpful! I just have a question. I use very small and delicate engraving chisels, the kind thay is smaller than an index fingernail in terms of width. They are gouges, i think, since they have a gentle curve or bend in them, resembling a U or V shape. Since they are my first ever chisels, they are chipped. How would i repair them? Would i slowly and gently work down the blade's bevel until the chips are gone? Would i use a jeweler's file and flatten the tip, then resharpen?

[@WoodByWright]

Usually you just keep working on the bevel until the chip is gone. If you want to grind the tip back to the chip you can You're just still going to be doing all of the bevel work bringing it back down to sharp. It's just personal preference between the two.

[@phillipiacobacci1369]

Good info. thanks

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks Phillip!

[@katecashman2031]

Is windex best? I’ve seen people use oil or water. Thanks

[@WoodByWright]

With diamond plates. Most anything will do. You just need something to clear the steel off. The nice thing about a window cleaner is that it evaporates quickly so that your plates don't rust. If you're working with an actual stone then you don't want to use window cleaner for that. Did you know want to use a water or an oil depending on the type of stone.

[@cowboycody8094]

I have inherited some old carving tools that someone has appeared to try to sharpen and such what is the proper angle for the Bellow on a v gouge and a normal gouge?

[@WoodByWright]

different people like different things. I like mine to be between 20 and 25 degrees.

[@cowboycody8094]

@@WoodByWright thank you.

[@leonardokalinci9894]

Thanks a lot 👍🏼👍🏼🍺

[@abdalossy]

thanks .. nice work. I would ask about a buffering compound .. from when we can get ? if we can't find it . what is the alternative ? thanks in advance.

[@WoodByWright]

thanks. I like to use a zinc buffing compound but for this most anything will do. some people even use toothpaste.

[@BroadwayG]

Some professionals even use window cleaner. Love the video, btw.

[@evanslack1149]

James, is it possible to use too much stropping compound? I loaded my strop up and it sort of has ridges of compound that hardened on. Thanks!

[@WoodByWright]

Yes that is too much. Use the side of a chisel or cards scraper to remove it. You just need enough to add a bit of color.

[@arnauddoremus8704]

Hello thank you for advices. Do you think that metal dust is unsafe (on your hands, breath or clothes)? Thanks for your return

[@WoodByWright]

On your hands no problem. And one of the reasons to use a lapping fluid is that it keeps it out of the air so you're not breathing it in. But even then it's not that much of an issue. It's basically just dust that you breathe in on a regular basis.

[@arnauddoremus8704]

@@WoodByWright thank you

[@Chris-yo4ks]

Love the intro.....I suffer from hand tool pattern baldness too

[@WoodByWright]

LOL it is addictive!

[@rickpurvis6520]

what is the correct angle on the back of the chisels , or is it preference ? I have a new set and it seems like they're too angled to be used . I tried my V - tool but couldn't get a cut with it , I had to hold it at almost a 90 degree angle. Thanks for any replies

[@WoodByWright]

for most carving tools it is 25-20 (or lower) degrees. most bench chisels are 25-30 degrees. it sounds like you might be using one from a harbor freight set?

[@cheesegrater2018]

As a very rough guide, how often would you come back to the strop? I know this would depend on the wood type, but if you could give a few examples? .. Lots of love,

[@WoodByWright]

if I am using the tool nonstop I usually strop it every 10-15 minutes.

[@cowboycody8094]

It is easier to keep a sharp tool sharp than make a dull tool sharp.

[@hoyamann]

Hi, great video. I'm a beg.inner. Can you recommend the appropriate materials? I'm using small chisels and gouges currently

[@WoodByWright]

it all depends on what you want to make. I have a few videos on beginner set of tools or first tools to get, but I normally tel people to get the tools they need for the next step in a project rather then getting tools that they might need in the future.

[@davidmercieca3663]

Can you please tell me what is called that pice of tool which looks like a comb and it’s used to take a profile of a sculpture? Thanks

[@WoodByWright]

Sorry I can not think of what you are referring to.

[@alpinpineda7041]

Sir, what name the sharpening tools and where it order it? Thank you

[@WoodByWright]

There are links to the exact ones in the discription of you want to see them.

[@daveshutt8672]

what makes a good strop

[@WoodByWright]

Here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKvWqmyBoah8ock different people like different thing things, but for most wood workers horse butt is the best.

[@jadiels.foster286]

can u use cooking oil on the stone to sharpen the chisel

[@WoodByWright]

you could but it would not work as well. lubrication on diamonds is not there to make a slurry but to move steel shards out of the way. oil would not help that. but on an oil stone it works well to make the slurry needed to cut the steel.

[@richardallen1473]

I can't seem to find that wood block to hold the stones. Anyone have a link to that?

[@WoodByWright]

here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHXUmImLmqh3o8U

[@WildmanTech]

Do you use any kind of abraisive on your strop?

[@WoodByWright]

zinc oxide, but most any buffing compound will work for you.

[@sorryrocco]

Is the strop leather? like you would use on a barber's open razor?

[@WoodByWright]

Yes. I like horse butt leather but any hard leather will work well.

[@mostapha8496]

Merci شكرا 👍

[@colezondag3775]

How do you Sharpen a gouge with the blade on the interior vs exterior

[@WoodByWright]

I use a slip stone or sandpaper on a dowel.

[@stan4807]

What about an inside beveled gouge

[@WoodByWright]

For that you can use a slip stone or a diamond wave or even sandpaper wrapped around a dowel and do the same thing.

[@Imperator-el4nt]

can I sharpen my woodturning knives in the same way as the carving tools?

[@WoodByWright]

Can but it's more difficult with the long handles. Usually with those I prefer to take the stone to the tool then the tool to the stone. But it's the same geometry.

[@Imperator-el4nt]

👍

[@joefagan9335]

I love your videos especially your accent. Just curious - why do some Americans say "all the way acrosst" instead of "... across?".

[@WoodByWright]

Thanks joe. because that is the Wright way to say it. LOL I do it mostly because it drives certain people crazy.

[@roy40ss]

I thought it was because you can't spell.

[@avromweisz]

How do you like those cherry chisels? I bought some of the same

[@WoodByWright]

Yes. I find them to be the best bang for the buck in my book. There are better chisels out there, but I have not found many that can match the price point and be this good.

[@avromweisz]

Wood By Wright I love them. I love your videos too lol

[@WoodByWright]

thanks Avrom!

[@avromweisz]

Wood By Wright I want to make a KZbin video. I just got a Camera and have a few projects in mind but abit camera shy. Lol

[@nmssis]

What kinda leather do you use for the strop?

[@WoodByWright]

I use Horse butt. but to be honest, most any stiff leather will do perfectly.

[@nmssis]

Wood By Wright where can I get them...unfortunately I'm no where near any kinda tannery or saddle maker

[@WoodByWright]

Tools for working wood sells strips. but if you do a google search for Horse But leather you can find a few places that are cheaper.

[@chrissyhlookoff2431]

What size v chisel is this?

[@WoodByWright]

I believe the one I showed there was a 65° 8 mm. But I have several of them. I find around 65 to 60° is about the one I use the most. Somewhere around 6 to 8 mm.

[@yontenwoodcarving4402]

cool😎🔥🔥👍🏻👍🏻

[@brendanheaney7101]

Come to Brazil

[@WoodByWright]

I would love to. just need to find a way to pay for it.

[@jerrysundin8425]

What's stropping compound?

[@WoodByWright]

The honing compound you put on the strop. I like to use green zinkoxide

[@faizanditawat4394]

Sirr, what is that sharpening tool ? What is the name of it ?

[@WoodByWright]

I am not sure what you are referring to. here are the 4 things I was using here. if I am missing one let me know. DMT Diamond Stones: amzn.to/2oppz0J (I use Extra-coarse, Medium-fine, and Extra-fine) Leather strop: amzn.to/2rfpldp Carving kit: amzn.to/2kf8Wjb Honing compound - amzn.to/2rdZrs9 or if you are referring the sharpening holder here is where I made that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHXUmImLmqh3o8U

[@divinenonbinary]

What do I do if I already have ruined the v chisel and the end is uneven 👀🥴 I grind the corner away too far 😳

[@WoodByWright]

you can just re grind it to a more pleasing shape then re sharpen it.

[@andystone77]

Please sir how can I order the gouges online

[@WoodByWright]

There are lots of different companies that sell gouges. If you're looking for antique ones they usually the place I'd start is handtoolfinder.com

[@andystone77]

@@WoodByWright thanks

[@andystone77]

@@WoodByWright am actually a carver can I get your immediate contact to chat you to help me master it well

[@woodandwandco]

“Rollover!” -Wright 2017

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

HA...LOL...hand tool pattern baldness and I lost it :-)

[@WoodByWright]

LOL thanks man!

[@johnduffy6546]

That explains these darned bald spots on both arms...Wife of 46 years still won't let me shave her legs..."Oh ye, of little faith"

[@WrathOfMrRodgers]

You shouldn’t only use the strop to keep your tools sharp. Every so often regardless of how sharp it is you should go back to the stone just to establish a flat bevel. The strop creates a rounded cutting edge because it’s soft.

[@WoodByWright]

That's what we do. However this is showing how to sharpen them not how to hone them. Sharpening happens if there's a neck in the blade or you accidentally let them go too long before taking them back to this strop. My carving chisels haven't seen the stones in years. But every now and then something happens.

[@vincethomrm]

Aloha