CBrann Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 How do you sharpen a drawknife? ideas... suggestions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I use the Bader B-3 with 800 grit belts, but a stone, file, or even a block of wood with sand paper will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Draw file, then oil or whet stone to hone. Once the edge is right I just hone with a fine stone. If the wood is clean and the draw knife is good enough, stropping is beneficial. The sharper the better so long as you don't leave a weak edge. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Great, but which side is the cutting angle? The bottom against the wood or the top where the "shavings"come off? Whats a "proper" sharpening angle? I use a lot of hand tools, planes and spokeshaves mostly, but need something a little faster for roughing out. I know their angles, and stuff, but the draw knife sorta gives me pause. This draw knife is my grandfathers that my father gave to me. I have stones etc, just some advice on where to start, and do it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Just like a wood chisel. Flat against the wood, bevel up. Same bevel angle. You want it to behave the same way a wood chisel does. It should naturally want to curve up and exit the wood, NOT dive into it. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks, I am good at over complicating things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 It's the little things that get you. "God is in the details" as (I THINK) Einstein said. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks! He also said "God doesn't play at dice." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 That one I was sure about but I don't I agree. If God wants to play dice with the universe who are we to say no? Heck, I figure if he is, we're on a lucky roll! Yeah, and who am I to get picky with Einstein. Right? Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Einstein was referring to Spinozza's God. Not actually the deity yaweh. Einstein was an atheist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makoz Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Actually both ways are correct! I'm more of a woodie than a blacksmith, and use drawknives and shaving horses a fair bit. Bevel up is good if you're hogging out a lot of wood, but flip it over so the bevel is against the timber or branch, and you have more control. Yes, the angle of attack is different, and feels different with hand grip, but it works. It takes off less shavings, doesn't dig in or dive into the grain (contrary to what Frosty said, sorry!). Put it this way, carving chisels are mostly used bevel down... and normal chisels get used either way, depending on how much bite you want. Bevel up, they spear in; bevel down, they rise out of the timber. Bevel down with a draw knife also allows you 'neck' a round tenon into concave profile, or shoulder, instead of a straight taper. What was said above about sharpening is good advice. I tend to use a diamond hone on the job, for a quick touch up. Cheers, Makoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makoz Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I just tried tacking on an image in edit, but here it is anyway, to illustrate what I mean about bevel up or down. I'm focussing on the necked taper vs. straight taper (which is critical if you are making round tenons for rustic furniture), but the diving into the wood or out of it is also illustrated. Cheers, Makoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I had it backwards. Not surprising. You're right of course. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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