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Found out I'd been sharpening chisels backwards for 8 years
Was at a small shop in Portland last month doing some freelance work. Old timer named Hank walked over, watched me hit the stones for about 20 seconds, and just shook his head. He pointed at the bevel and said my angle was way too steep, I was practically making a new edge with each pass. I'd always sharpened by feel, never measured. Turns out I was rolling the chisel up too far, close to 40 degrees instead of the 25 most bench chisels want. No wonder I was touching them up every couple of boards on hardwood jobs. The next hour he made me practice on a cheap chisel until I could hold 25 without thinking. First cut after that felt like a hot knife through butter, and I've been kicking myself for all those sessions I wasted fighting dull edges. Anyone else find out a basic habit they've been doing wrong for years, and what finally tipped you off?
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ellis.leo2mo ago
Steeper angles just mean fewer sharpenings, that's what my grandpa always said.
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