Sharpen a drawknife

How to sharpen a Sean hellman drawknife.

[@coryboyd7958]

Love your dog

[@mathiasz.8169]

Oldtimers always pointed out to not sharpen the back of the drawknife, instead to sharpen on the bevel side. I now a cooper who did this work for around 60 to 70 years and he never even touched the back of the drawknife. Must be something to think about.

[@SeanHellman]

I need some more information about how this old timer used the drawknife. If it was used bevel down only I can see some logic in this. If it was used bevel up then the back would slowly become beveled through wear. I want a flat back so I can make and create flat surfaces easily on what I am making. In order to have a flat back I have to sharpen the back or take a ridiculous amount from to bevel in order to sharpen past the wear bevel. It has to be remembered that different trades use tools in slightly different ways on different timbers and was the wood dry or green, all this has a direct effect on how the tool is sharpened and how sharp it needs to be. I love talking to the old boys and I am still mystified by the fact that the woodworkers in Plymouth dockyard would strop their chisels on the palm of their hands, who would do this today? Apparently this was a common practise all over to remove the wire edge. Personally I want to abrade the wire edge off than break it off with my palm.

[@mathiasz.8169]

Well, he used the drawknife bevel up. So logically there is wear on the back, and yes you are right, you would want a flat back. But I assume as long as the wear is minimal it won´t account for a great difference in use or how the drawknife cuts. Might even take some of the bite out and make the cut smoother. Like Japanese Planes, riding on two or three points, but hey do they work. I have your book "Sharp", it is a wonderful ressource.Think I might give the hollow grind on the back a chance. @@SeanHellman

[@chrissilverhand1]

Someone waiting for a walk? Hope you're well Sean.

[@chrissilverhand1]

Someone waiting for walkies? Hope you're well Sean

[@andrewfrudd108]

What is the reason for using meths rather than anything else?

[@SeanHellman]

It evaporates, so no clean or wipe up afterwards. You know, like oils and water dripping all over the bench