Size bears no relation to quality

[Toolmaker]

I’ve just sharpened my miniature chisels for the second time

 

I bought these with a large dose of scepticism as apart from 4 years rearing chickens I have spent all my professional life in the pursuit of the best cutting tools. I’m in my mid sixties now, so that’s been a while.

 

As expected, when they arrived they were not finished when it came to edge confirmation. I spent the best part of a day getting them  to where I thought they could best perform.

 

I have just completed the hull on the Syren model HMS Cheerful which has been done in Costello Boxwood. These chisels have been exemplary. I can happily state that the whole process would have been much more difficult without them.

Those previous 2 pictures are trying to show that the steel used is good enough to take a “shaving” edge. I know it’s a little bizarre to shave your own hand and I accept no responsibility for any of you attempting similar, but it does prove a point.

 

This is a simple set up using 600, 1000 and 3000 grit stones in a sunken bath of water.

After completing a hull, it took less than an hour to reinstate a good edge on all three chisels.

Its not easy to get a good shot of the edge with a phone camera.

Get in touch if I can help with your chisel sharpening challenge. I’m sure you recognise these chisels and I have no relationship to the manufacturer. They are however the real deal, albeit in miniature.

 

Cheers folks, I hope that might be useful.

 

regards

Paul

Edited September 24, 2023 by Toolmaker

[Jaager]

An additional step,  and if done after every few cuts,  can really delay a need to revisit the water stones is to strop on a medium like scrap leather charged with gold, green, or rouge compound.

[allanyed]

I love the tool holder.  I have one but it is a Veritas and a great device but it has not worked for me on my very narrow carving chisels.   Is the holder/guide you use commercially available?

Thanks!!

Allan

[Toolmaker]

4 hours ago, Jaager said:

An additional step,  and if done after every few cuts,  can really delay a need to revisit the water stones is to strop on a medium like scrap leather charged with gold, green, or rouge compound.

Serious input, thanks. I have to say that these little chisels hold a great edge for weeks/months from a single sharpening.

 

4 hours ago, allanyed said:

I love the tool holder.  I have one but it is a Veritas and a great device but it has not worked for me on my very narrow carving chisels.   Is the holder/guide you use commercially available?

Thanks!!

Allan

I hope I’m not going to disappoint here, but the holder is a veritas model if memory serves me right.

 

Tighten it as hard as possible and then sharpen from that position. Don’t remove until done.

Edited September 24, 2023 by Toolmaker

[Bob Cleek]

The title of this thread is true of most tools, not just chisels.

 

[Toolmaker]

55 minutes ago, Bob Cleek said:

The title of this thread is true of most tools, not just chisels.

 

No arguments from me on that point 👍🏼

[allanyed]

13 hours ago, Toolmaker said:

I hope I’m not going to disappoint here, but the holder is a veritas model if memory serves me right.

Definitely not the one I have.  I will do a bit of research to see what I can find similar to your yours.  Thanks Paul

Allan

[Toolmaker]

1 hour ago, allanyed said:

Definitely not the one I have.  I will do a bit of research to see what I can find similar to your yours.  Thanks Paul

Allan

Allan it was Veritas, this is photo from a uk supplier. It’s not a link as they often disappear but it shows what you are looking for.

Regards

Paul

 

[allanyed]

THANK YOU PAUL!!