Cheshirechappie
Established Member
Most plough irons for wooden planes are laminated, so even though they are quite chunky compared to many woodworking tools, they'll be relatively easy to sharpen since a lot of the backing metal behind the cutting edge is nice, soft wrought iron. Some later (post WW1) irons may be of solid toolsteel, but my - admittedly small - collection of about 10 irons are all laminated.
One point in favour of a more obtuse grinding angle is to gain a better seating between the vee on the back of the iron and the vee on the rear skate of the plane. The more acute the grind angle, the less the length of engagement between iron and skate. Maybe that's the origin of the 35 degree recommended sharpening angle for plough irons, even on metal ploughs?
One point in favour of a more obtuse grinding angle is to gain a better seating between the vee on the back of the iron and the vee on the rear skate of the plane. The more acute the grind angle, the less the length of engagement between iron and skate. Maybe that's the origin of the 35 degree recommended sharpening angle for plough irons, even on metal ploughs?
