: I've never been able to sharpen chisels and planes very well at all. Even
: simple things, like restoring a good edge when a blade would dull slightly
: with use, often escaped me, necessitating a quick trip "down the
: Shore" to see my woodworking (and tool sharpening) friend Kevin.

: A few days ago, I really wanted to re-edge the block plane, spokeshave and
: several chisels before tackling the next stage of our latest VOLKSKAYAK,
: which involves rounding down the shearline considerably. Gave up trying to
: use the stone (it's old and cheap, and grooved up) in frustration, and I
: didn't really want to show up at my Harley-riding friend's with a bagful
: of edgeless tools on a nice sunny weekend afternoon either. Good stones
: are a long way away from here,and very expensive - so what to do???

: In frustration, I dug up a few files I had long ago downloaded on the
: ScarySharp approach, got an old sheet of glass, three sheets of sandpaper
: and some spray contact cement - and it works!!!! Boy, does it work - after
: an hour, I had the plane, spokeshave and about 1/2 dozen chisels, some
: quite battered, sharpened far better than I've ever done before.
: Everything cuts cleanly and with little effort, and keeping the edge
: touched up is child's play. If you haven't tried it but want to make
: sharpening as simple and effective as possible, it's well worth a trial
: run.

: Now if I could just figure how my buddy does those "shave with it"
: edges freehand, without the little jig I use to keep the angle constant
: and to cut the microbevel...

Ah, another convert.
As for getting the edge frehand, time and experience. And possibly a callus on your small finger. So far, I still use a gauge when sharpening chisels, etc. but I freehand sharpen my knives.

Mike Savage
South West Cork