Stropping 101: The Step That Makes Edges Scary Sharp

Stropping 101: The Step That Makes Edges Scary Sharp

The first time I put a freshly sharpened chisel to a piece of hardwood and it still tore instead of sliced, I almost threw the thing across the garage. I had spent 20 minutes on my sharpening stones. The edge looked sharp. But I had skipped the stropping leather strop technique — and that single … Read more

Whetstones vs Diamond Plates: How I Sharpen Everything

Whetstones vs Diamond Plates: How I Sharpen Everything

The first time someone asked me whether they should use a whetstone vs diamond sharpening plate, I gave a terrible answer. I said “just get whatever’s cheapest.” That was bad advice, and I’ve spent the last several years making up for it — sharpening chisels, plane irons, kitchen knives, woodworking gouges, and custom blades I’ve … Read more