Sharpening

[Katomi woodsmith]

I am not a chippy (carpenter) but I have used a lot of tools in my various jobs. For hand tools the the best advise I was given is
Sharpen to suit you, an old boy on site showed me how a plane can be really sharp and perfect on a jig but of no use , where as a free hand for him was much better to use.
So end of the day, whatever works for you. Jig, free hand whatever

 

[Jacob]

... the best advise I was given is
Sharpen to suit you, an old boy on site showed me how a plane can be really sharp and perfect on a jig but of no use , where as a free hand for him was much better to use.
...

This is because jigs and flat plates lead to plane blades with dead straight edges.
This may look nice and precise but in use is a distinct disadvantage compared to the camber you get, almost unavoidably, with freehand on an oil stone. Even better if the stone is slightly hollowed.
Plane blades need to be cambered.
Your old chap wasn't showing you something unusual or individual, it is (or was) common knowledge of how it should be done.

 

[dickm]

Ha Ha, here we go again.

But so nice to find a controversial thread which is (mainly) non-political but relevant to woodworkers! I began to despair of humanity reading the stuff about Trump, Starmer etc,

 

[paulrbarnard]

Sharpening by hand would certainly help with making money. It's faster, easier, and involves a tiny expenditure on kit which lasts for life. Longer in fact - most stones are second hand.
Also highly portable if away from the workshop.
But stick to your hobbyist methods if it gives you pleasure!

Don’t you just hand the blunt tool to the apprentice?

 

[Jacob]

Don’t you just hand the blunt tool to the apprentice?

er, hum, dunno, if you are actually using them you want to get them spot on how you want them and not rely on somebody else, or some gadgets!

 

[paulrbarnard]

er, hum, dunno, if you are actually using them you want to get them spot on how you want them and not rely on somebody else, or some gadgets!

Obviously not a first year apprentice…

 

[Jacob]

Obviously not a first year apprentice…

Perhaps just leave them to fiddle about with jigs and stuff until they get it out of their system and work out how to do it properly?

 

[wiley198]

Tried to upload link to someone who's made the most bizarre jib.

Link didn't work.

Went to a squirrel fighting a snake.

Hey ho. Lol