The Best Sharpening Process for Chisels & Slicks?

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Timber Framing is a joy, especially when your tools are sharp!
Diamond stones, water stones, sandpaper, electric grinder, or maybe even a patented 14-step process…there are lots of options when it comes to how best to sharpen your chisel or slick and get back to timber framing.
In this video, we break down the very simple sharpening system we prefer from decades of keeping our tools razor sharp. Click this link to get your hands on the Shelter Sharpening System: shop.shelterin...

[@ShelterInstitute]

Take your first (FREE!) step into timber framing with our Online Mini Course - onlinecourses.shelterinstitute.com/courses/free?

[@chickfamilyink]

I took the Simply Timber Frame class up at Shelter and I couldn't recommend it more. Timber framing becomes very accessible when you learn from the Hennins, and the fact that they are giving this knowledge away for free on KZbin is a great indicator of just how amazing they are. I am now teaching this same sharpening system to teenagers in a building trades program and I can not overstate how fantastic it is to be able to show the kids how to do it straight from the horses mouth. Thank you Shelter Institute, you are true artisans and genuinely kind human beings.

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you very much Shane, we are really glad you enjoyed your time here. So happy to hear you are now teaching others!

[@BryanNichols]

Clearly your beard is what REALLY sharpens all these tools to perfection.

[@1kbs11]

You actually make a good point: In a pinch bead oil or even the oil that is often found collecting along the corner of your nose works better than nothing as an oil. More than once the nose corner oil helped with a two piece fishing rod metal male / female connections when it comes to rod disassembling.... as long as you apply prior to assembling. By the way; I'd rather sharpen and shave with a slick than keep paying for today's over priced razor blades. Best of luck. (JF)

[@calvinkalmon6746]

Beard looks excellent on you brother!

[@1kbs11]

I'm a guy regardless of the pink "K." Hence, I don't judge men's appearance, but he sports it well if you ask me. (JF)

[@matthewstroud4294]

I have been using the "scary sharp" system for years now and it really is good. Basically the same as your kit, but with six different grits of ali-oxide 3M micro-finishing and lapping films that stick onto the glass with it's pressure sensitive glue backing. My grits are 80 micron, 40, 20, 15, 9 and 3. For normal edge maintenance you don't use all the grits, but they are great for initially flattening and polishing the backs of chisels and plane blades. The 3 micron is about 7000 grit. Initial set up cost is much cheaper than diamond or stones.

[@bgt63]

Been doing this for years with this jig and a sheet of 5/8 tempered glass with spray adhesive on the sand paper

[@leslieandrews6324]

A quick note, some of my hand fordged chisels have a slight tapered to the sides so I use a small 4" square and eyeball the gap down at the clamp to get this gap equal on both sides. A slight tap to the handle of the chisel will even out the gaps then I tighten the clamp more securely. Otherwise my beveled edge will end up angled to the left causing my cuts to pull to one side

[@DH-ry2ho]

Love the simplicity!

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you!

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Great video Gaius! 🙂

[@1kbs11]

A well done video. Thank you. (JF)

[@ryanridgley5502]

I’m just getting into timber framing and find your videos inspirational and informative. Thank you for putting the hard work into these videos. How do you sharpen slicks wider then 72mm? My understanding is that’s the widest the veritas goes. Thanks.

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Did I miss you removing the burr off the back of the blade? Great vid, thx

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

Excellent sharpening video. Not sure if you mentioned it, but what thickness of glass do you use? I would think it should be pretty thick to avoid any deflection. Thanks!

[@slow_build]

How do you flatten the back of the chisel with this kit? Did I miss that?

[@ShelterInstitute]

We flatten the back on the sandpaper on glass......for new tools or 'well-used' tools we start with the 180 grit, keeping the tool dead flat on the abrasive, out and back as many times as needed to get a flat surface. For our daily drivers, that tend to be flat, we simply touch up the back on the 320 grit, dead flat, out and back, and then strop. One of the tings we love about sandpaper on glass is that it is always flat, making the flattening process as simple as possible. Thanks for watching!

[@1kbs11]

FYI: I recently purchased the online course and within the series of timber framing videos there is much more on the sharpening process - your question's answer; I found it shown in detail there. Hope this helps. Have a great day! (JF)

[@scottrivers6472]

For the lapping compound what grit do you use Gaius? I went to Lee Valley today and they had six different grits. I have white stones already but I love the idea of the sandpaper and glass that’s awesome. Thank you for doing this

[@patsycullen6380]

What was the name of the sharpening device

[@1kbs11]

@2:48 ish he mentions the supplier of the guide. "Shelter-Institute" - their store sells them as mentioned in this video along with other needed supplies (paper, glass for flat surface etc.). You can also find them online and/or woodworking suppliers. The name of the "device" is "MK II Honing Guide." Enjoy! (JF)