woodbrains":6jpg1ab1 said:
Hello Jacob,
Like I said, I've nothing against freehand sharpening, only about people who fool themselves into thinking they are actually getting the same level of sharpness as those who use guides because that is what gets them the sharpness they require.
Mike.
Woodie,
I am sure your post is not directed at me personally.
However,
I do NOT fool myself ]into believing my tools are sharp. The fact is, I know when they aren't, and I do something about it.
I use a guide these days, but not because I am worried about the correct angles. I do so because freehand sharpening is difficult now, due to arthritis and tenosynovitis. Experienced freehand sharpeners automatically lock the arm into the right position for the edge they want. Maybe that's why I have my joint problems. I also moved to water-stones, because they do cut faster, and the sludge is easier to remove from my hands, without solvents. As someone said, the sharpening method you use is a personal choice. But unless you have used both methods, how do you compare one with the other?
The plain truth is, the angle of either bevel isn't as important as you seem to believe. The 25 degrees for instance, is only a ball-park figure. A few seconds of arc one way or the other, is neither here nor there; for either of the bevels. What is important is the state of the back. So, as long as that isn't like the surface of the moon you're okay. (the back doesn't
need to be Mirror-bright' either. Just enough reflectivity with which to eyeball angles.)
I don't often see manufacturers of guides stressing the need for a truly flat back.
So, no I don't fool myself thank you. I don't notice any difference in the edge I get with a guide and the edge I used to get freehand. So, have you considered it might be the 'scary-sharp' advocates who have fallen for the hype of the manufacturers of all this equipment?
Regards
John
PS I haven't tried the 'ruler-trick', so I can't comment, in case you wondered! :wink:
