I just sat and watched a guy talk about sharpening chisels and planers for 45 mins., and was thoroughly captivated. Over the years watching the woodwork has always been great but the way you deliver technical information is outstanding. With the easy to understand style of talking to the diagrams its just great. Still one of the best channels on youtube. thanks again!!
Don't apologize for doing a video on sharpening tools. It is absolutely essential to have keen tools, and this will have helped anyone who in the past has struggled. Sharp tools make the work easy. Less than sharp tools make the work frustrating. Spot on video.
Never expected to find this so interesting to be honest. I'm not a wood worker or anything close to that but found it really interesting. And I never really understood the full workings of a plane. This has taught me a lot, for which I thank you! Have a great weekend and week ahead!
The inclined plane is one of the first basic tools our ancestors ever made. So you can say it is in all our DNA. And yes an edged tool is an inclined plane. It's two planes that intersect at an angle. It's one of the things along with fire that put us on the map. That and the lever. Those remain our greatest achievements. We can set crap on fire, beat it with a club and cut it up. Ah to be human.
Hi! We have just had two separate Swedish followers contacting us and saying what a great video you have made, explaining the Tormek system 😊 Happy to see you enjoying your machine! 🤩 Regarding the wheel not coming off, are you using the Anti Corrosion Concentrate? It will help keep your grinding wheel and tools rust free. Sometimes ground-off steel particles can find their way in between the main shaft and the girnding wheel, and this happens. Some Anti Corrosion Concentrate in the water should help with this. Anyways, great video, very pedagogical and helpful to the entire range of people needing saving from dull edges! Stay sharp! 😊 /Hugo and the Tormek team in Lindesberg, Sweden
I'm a Swedish slöjdlärare and I use a Tormek to maintain all the planes, chisels and knives in the woodshop. Getting young people interested in woodwork is my job and it's much easier if the tools are in a condition that makes the work enjoyable.
My father was a fine carpenter and a sought after contractor. He learned his skills apprenticed in a Tacoma shipyard. He was very particular about his chisels, plane irons, carving knives and pocket knives. Even into his late 80's. after sharpening he would strop the blades on an old barbers leather strop. The blades and their edges gleamed. If he was here now, I'm sure he'd agree that this was a wonderful 43 minutes to spend. Thank you.
Yes agreed a good tutorial on sharpening your tools but the one thing I was taught from day one is when the grinder is coming up to speed you don't stand in front of the wheels as you don't know if someone else has hit the wheel not realizing the damage and the wheel could come apart and you don't want to be in front of it if that happens
Fast forward 10 years - this video has 100 million views and is recognised as the perfect video on making edges. Far more interesting than it had any right to be!
Let’s all agree that you are only human and not the “Super Man” that some may think you are! It appears from all the videos I have watched that your work ethic is beyond reproach! There are only so many hours in a given day until the body requires sleep and nourishment. In other words thank you for doing this video with the time you had!
Saying "thank you for doing this video with the time you had", combined with "Let’s all agree that you are only human" suggests that this video was not really up to scratch, or at least could have been better. I heartily disagree with that suggestion. I'm sure everyone who is involved in woodworking in spare time or as a volunteer will have learnt a thing or two just by watching this video. Moreover it made me realize how many hours Leo and his team will have been busy sharpening tools when we only saw them use the sharp ones, not sharpening them. There obviously is a whole world behind the woodworking we get to see in the video's, and I think this is something that is not appreciated enough. Therefore I guess this video served two goals very well: one is the explanation on sharpening tools, second is to make all of us realize how much more work there has been done on a daily basis without showing that part so far. Well done Leo. Could not have been done any better.
Fabulous choice of topics. Every episode we the viewers pine away to hear that swoosh of a fine edge on wood, wishing we could sharpen our blades to the Tally Ho standard. Great episode Leo.
I'm an amateur carpenter taught by my late grandfather who was a cabinet maker by trade (he went on to become a Civil Engineer). I know there is plenty for me to still learn when it comes to carpentry, it is one of the reasons I watch and so much enjoy your videos. Despite my Grandfather's many hours teaching me how to look after and sharpen his (now my) tools, this video has been a revelation as to why some of those tools where never quite as sharp as I would have liked. The traditional sharpening stone he and I persisted with, with its inevitable uneven wear is the first thing I am changing!. Thank you for yet another fascinating and educational video. For this reason only, there is a part of me that doesn't want to see Tally Ho ever finished...
I agree with all you say. If I were a bit younger I would enjoy working with you and your crew. I was a boat carpenter/builder/shipwright/pattern maker for ~25 years. I got better about 30 years ago, but still play in the shop. There are, of course other ways to reach the same result. I had a little different setup. I liked the Makita horizontal grinder/sharpener, it uses Japanese ceramic stones, and with its attachments, it made sharpening power hand planes, jointer and thickness planer blades a bit easier. A vertical wet side wheel bench grinder for roughing, and buffing wheels on a vertical grinder for burr removal and a bit of polishing. Why back bevel a plane? If you are unfortunate enough to need to plane highly figured wood, or really anything with messed up grain, a higher angled plane blade will reduce tearout. If your plane has too shallow an angle for your wood you can steepen it with a little back bevel. Best wishes young man.
I started watching your chanel when you were saying - Im on a mission to restore and rebuild this 110 year old sailing yacht and haven't missed a video since. You should be more popular because your content is very cool. (Love from Lithuania🇱🇹)
What great craftsmanship .... CRAFTSMAN..... what great skill .... CRAFTSMAN..... What great description of the process.... CRAFTSMAN..... What great detailing of the difference between uses of the tool.... CRAFTSMAN..... What great attention to the process of sharpening.... CRAFTSMAN....
Leo, Sir. The very most majority of viewers are grateful for everything you share. Pay no attention to those ‘haters’. Life is good and it’s better when you post and teach us techniques etc. thanks again for all you do to keep wood boat building alive in the USA and Mother Country, Great Britain.
As a Qualified Saw doctor, you did an awesome job of explaining the principles of sharpness and how to achieve it consistently. Well done and thanks for all your content.
Leo, thank you for spending a few of your valueable hours on training us, amateur woodworkers, on how to sharpen cutting tools. It certainly helped me to treat my planes and chisels better than i did up to now. Please train us more on similar woodworking tools.
This was the most useful chisel sharpening video I have ever watched. It just clicked for me. I had a 1" chisel that was getting hard to keep sharp as it was slowly getting a convex rounding on the bevel. Rather than 45min of hand grinding with a jig and a coarse oilstone, I spend about 5 min hollow grinding it and finishing it off with a fine oilstone and a strop to get a "smooth arm" shave out of it.
Super helpful video, thanks. Take all the time you need to publish, quality first and speed second (as usual). And your videos have given me an appreciation of flat head screws...
A cabinet maker taught me how to sharpen chisels etc. Much the same way as you demonstrated in your first run. What he gave me was a block of slate much the same size as a regular whetstone. A little water to lubricate and the chisel polishes up a treat. The slate of course was very smooth to begin with.
OMG mega flashbacks..my old man was a storm window/door installer for 40 years..he was a true craftsman..able to address any issue encountered with the tools and materials carried on his truck..I was instructed in the fine art of chisel/planer sharpening at a early age 8-9 years old and proper use of knives and blades..only difference was he preferred a 45 degree angle on his chisels especially his floor chisel so he could cut through fasteners holding the wood/trim in place..he even had a very large floor chisel that he kept a double sided 60 degree used for cutting through heavier concrete anchors..this was was waaaay before battery powered anything..I still to this day have fond memories of watching a Master on a Stanley Yankee #130..zip zip bang..zip zip bang..
"A lot of people say the circle method sharpens quicker than the back and forth method but I have no opinion. What makes it sharpen quicker is the Tormek." Well said Clifton. A great video on sharpening and was well worth the extra week wait. Thanks for sharing Leo, Richard, and Clifton.
Thanks for a great tutorial! As a steel fabricator, I have been like Clifton was in the past. Years ago I inherited a bunch of stones from my great grandfather that I had no idea how to use properly. Now my home projects will come together more "smoothly"!
This took me back 50 years ago, watching my father sharpen his tools every Saturday morning in the shed... That whoosh of a sharp plane doing its work, is a sound I'll never forget... Cheers for that...
Leo, I want to thank you very much for this. Using what you taught us here I have gotten my father in law's old Hubbard's hand planer from a rusted wreck to an almost perfectly working tool... very sufficient for my needs. I have also reconditioned a pair of his old chisels as well as a set my wife bought me years ago. Using this video I've gotten exactly the dual surface edge you've shown, and for the first time in a long time I have the ability to cut insets into my new homemade shop benches, as well as doing other work I previously had to use power tools for. Thank you. I deeply appreciate you taking the time to make this video, and presenting this in a simple, understandable manner. Incidentally, using my late father's tools and stash of sailing stuff, in the very near future I will be adding a gaff rigged sloop sailing rig to my 14ft hybrid electric Livingston. I'm looking forward to finally being able to teach my daughter how to sail. What you taught me on this video, as well as many building techniques you have shown on Tally Ho, will be used in that project. Looking forward to seeing Tally Ho get wet bud!
I found myself thinking, so that's how it works and I didn't know that. Leo's instruction is superb. Combined with his skill with the camera which highlighted difficult to see bits, makes this a master class in how to sharpen edges.
Nice to see Leo showing viewers the importance of how to sharpen woodworking tools. Great learning experience. Sharp tools are a critical activity for sure which greatly effects the overall quality of the work. Actual woodworking activity goes much quicker and is much more productive when care is taken with the sharpness of tools. One of the first things they taught me in woodenboat building school was how to properly maintain and care for my personal tools. It may come as a surprise to some, but most wooden boatwrights don't like anyone else borrowing or using their tools for good reasons - period.
Thank you, Leo. Got to see the yard a few weeks ago and the door was up so go to see the boat. You guys were at lunch so we semi-stalked you with two drive bys-- but really cool to see the natural habitat. The Olympic Peninsula is amazing. What a wonderful place.
Regarding abrasive stones exploding when wet, it is in fact partially tue. If the stone has been submerged for a lengthy time or left out in the weather, they will indeed explode on occasion due to water degrading the stones integrity. When a stone is used indoors to grind material as you did, the water used for cooling is not a problem and will not degrade the stones integrity. The reason for this is twofold. THe first reason is centrifugal force. Any amount of water carried by the material being ground is quickly flung away from the stone. The second reason is heat. The small amount of water that might possibly have been absorbed by the stone is quickly turned to vapour due to the heat of grinding. Another thing that was not discussed was how to test a stone for cracks which are far more likely to cause the stone to explode in use. To test the stone, put your finger in the bore of the stone and suspend it so it is not in contact with anything else. The using a metal object like a piece of steel rod or a medium sized wrench (Spanner for our English friends), gently tap the side of the stone. If the stone rings it has no cracks. If it doesn't ring it's cracked and should be discarded as the chance of it exploding in use is very high.
From the view of automated grinding machines: The water isn't really flung away quick. If you use constant cooling, even a fast silicon carbide will soak up the liquid. And if the stone is stopped, the water will seep to the bottom, resulting in a strong imbalance when later spun up again. One way to deal with this is to keep the stone running for some time after use without further adding coolant.
then if you put it in a microwave oven it gets hot, when you wash it in soapy water the oil that was increased would come to the surface roll of, and run down the road, a car would come along and skid on the oil then there would be an accident, and people would get hurt.
I learned to sharpen tools many years ago at a carpentry training centre in Plymouth UK. The best thing I ever did, apart from marrying my wife. When I suggested to the main man that he should get a faster sharpening wheel, He said "just stay with that one"; a huge, slow, water wetted sand type wheel. Oh the satisfaction when I got it right. We would use a piece of marble to finish off and do the shaving bit. I am in awe of your achievements.Many thanks.
I just wanted to know how to sharpen a chisel immediately as I was in the middle of using a blunt one, a quick search on you tube; you cam in first so I sat and watched for over 40 minutes! I was captivated, I also know how a plane works now, I have lots of planes mainly because when they get "unusable" I get another. A lot of things changed for me today so a big thank you, sorry no interest in boats but I have subscribed.
I’m a Patreon supporter and the last thing I want is you worrying about hiccups in the video schedule. So no apologies needed here, please just enjoy yourself and a massive thank you :) for taking us along.
Stopped a 6.45 I totally agree with you. I started my church organ building apprenticeship I September 1970 at the age of 16 I brought with me on my first day my tool box with two planes and 4 bevelled edged Stanley, and 6 Palm brand firmer chisels. My foreman said to me he would teach me to sharpen the chisels and plane irons in between me doing general shop duties and said to me for every ten strokes on the sharpening stone on the bevel, he wanted me to do 20 on the back to get it flat and keep it that way. I'm 68 now and I still to this day do it that way and finish it on an oiled leather strop, ( I used to use the flat of my palm stropping 2" and 2 1/4" plane irons but once you slice your palm open you don't do it that way again lol) Having watched all the way through now, you have given a pretty comprehensive coverage of sharpening most edge tool and if anyone is struggling to get their tools sharp this should really help them. As an ex professional woodworker and later on High school technician, who had to sharpen two sets of 20 number four planes two sets of 20 number 5 and two sets of 120 various sized chisels from 1/8" through to 1" plus set probably 80 mortise chisels then a couple of number 7 jointers, every about 6 weeks with odds and ends in between I think I know just a little bit about sharpening hand tools, and this is a good video. But I still sharpen my own the way I was taught start on the back, do the bevel, onto the back again one stroke on the bevel to really weaken the wire edge as we called the burr then strop on leather and you could actually pull the wire edge off of the blade if it had been really blunt. My only concession to 'modern' technology is using a diamond sharpening stone these days for the little I do. I love your diamond sets they look really good but I bet they are pricy as is everything these days. I'd hate to have to sort myself out a tool kit as an apprentice woodworker in 2022 lol
It's unbelievable. This video says it's nearly 43 minutes, but when I watched it, it was over in the blink of an eye. There can only be one explanation: it must be very interesting. I know you're a boat builder and a sailor, but if you would ever lose your interest in these things, there would still be a career as a documentary maker ahead of you. I'm sure you would be one of the best in the business. And once again: thanks for sharing this project with us.
He *is* already a documentary maker. And a pretty good one.The substantial following of this channel is prove of his well honed (and honest) narrating and editing skills.
As a woodworker, I found this video to be very informative Leo. As you correctly noted, there are many different ways to sharpen those tools. Your explanation and demonstration of the sharpening techniques were right on point! Well done! Tally Ho & looking forward to your next video! 👍👍
One thing I thought of to say is that you can rub some polishing rouge or other compound into your leather while stropping. Thanks gents. Love you and always appreciate your offerings.
With these videos, Leo is the grindstone, the diamondstone & Tormek all in one with which all viewers like myself sharpen their minds and skills. Much appreciated.
This was amazingly informative and interesting Leo. Thank you for this video. I learned so much I didnt know before and have always wondered about. You are an excellent teacher. 😀
An excellent tutorial Leo. Well sharpened hand tools are such a pleasure to use. I much prefer them to loud motorized tools. Once you spend the time grinding in the basic blade shapes and doing that first sharpening it is only a matter of honing, as needed, to keep the tool working for you. In other words it is a long time before you must regrind a tool.
Hey Leo, I’ve set myself up today to restore an edge on my plane steel on an oil stone (yet another method) I though it would take some time so I opened UA-cam to play in a background and your sharpening tools video came as a first suggestion:D I’ve sharpened my plane steel watching your clip :) Keep up good work you’re doing Cheers
Thanks for the information about the use of a grinding wheel to repair a blade thus giving you a smaller dual edge o contend with. I learned much from this video.
For those starting out or who can't afford any kind of stone, a flat surface such as glass or polished stone and a set of wet/dry sandpaper up to 1,000 grit or so can produce a very sharp blade. Paper is used wet, and some practice will be needed. Same steps as Leo showed.
Agreed. I use 320 followed by 600. Then strop on a clipboard of 6 or so sheets of paper and a smear of metal polish, no leather needed. And disposable. Skip shaving your arm, check for sharpness on the back of your fingernail. The lower the angle it bites, the sharper it is.
Timing is everything! I have not used or needed to use or sharpen a chisel in decades however last week (literally on Tuesday) I needed to use and sharpen a chisel and used what little I learned from my father who was a German cabinet maker and I actually was surprised to be able to get the tool sharp enough to cut a very crisp edge on the wood I was working with. But now that I’ve watched your video I’m going to revisit that chisel and do it the way you showed and see how much sharper I can get it. There is something very satisfying about being able to sharpen your tools razor sharp!
Paleo, thanks for the tutorial. My grandfather used leather strap to hone his straight razor every single day before he shaved interesting. It's amazing that leather can be used on Steel. Once again thanks for the tutorial I appreciate it, good job I'm on the boat by the way.. PS I've not missed an episode since the beginning.. thanks again
Wow!!! Thank you Leo and Crew!! Didn't expect a 45 minute segment but totally appreciate the thorough and concise explanation on this basic and MOST IMPORTANT technique. Absolutely nothing is more satisfying than the fine shaping of wooden pieces with properly sharpened tools to the point where they fit together like machined metal parts!!! Very likely one of the biggest reasons all of us "arm chair craftsmen" are "addicted" to watching all of your videos with so much respect and admiration for what you all are accomplishing. As a very nearly eight decade craftsman, I have been so very impressed from the beginning of your Tally Ho project by the precision of all of your joinery. All made possible through the use of very precise patterning, very skillful manual dexterity, and absolutely essential, SHARP TOOLS!!! Thank you so much for spending the time to show all of us "junior craftsmen" the secrets of sharp chisels and planes!!! Following your instruction will certainly result in improvements in all of our endeavors. 👍👍👍🛠🔩⚙🔧⛏😉😉🍷🍺🥂
As a once carpenter, I sharpened everything by hand coz' I had no alternatives other than an oil stone - still do sharpen by hand. Your explanations of the sharpening processes are impeccable. I have long lusted for a Tormek - but - cannot justify the costs now. I think diamond stones & water stones are awesome.
leo, fantastic video, ive used the tormek system for years ,one tip is to mark the old bevel with a permanent marker before sharpening, leaves a great witness mark on the plane iron .
Leo! Thanks a million! My dad could sharpen a chisel or plane expertly and shave with it. I could not. This session has taught me so much. I want to go in my shop and try my hand and new knowledge out. I'm not a spring chick and now in my advanced age l finally will do it right! A Massive thanks!
Hollow grind then use a sharpening jig. You can get a good Eclipse copy for about $14 or so. You can get a so so one for about half that. Me, I splurged and got the good one myself. I'd been sharpening freehand for decades before I got a jig. I can do it. Using a jig makes it so much easier. I like the results better too. But you do need flat sharpening stones. I use diamond plates. They're always flat.
Spot on Mate, My father was a Carpenter, from him I leaned framing homes, and commercial building. I learned Cabinet building from my shop teacher. Putting a keen edge on blades was a passion of mine. To this day I gather all the kitchen knives up and give them a good edge.. The one thing I did with unintended outcome, was shaving with a straight razor. On top of it all this was while I was at sea,as a ET on US Navy Ship. Never nick my self, hands were steady. The guys gave me a wide birth.. For stropping I rubed some ultra fine polishing compound into the leather.
Game changer of a video! In my wood shop class we had no power tools. We learned how to care for, sharpen and safely use pretty much every hand tool there is. This brought back great memories! I saw my first Tormek when Norm Abram built a sharpening station on the New Yankee Workshop....amazing tool. Thanks again!
Thank you Leo, it is extremely satisfying watching your videos. The sharpening tool video is excellent and reminded me of the training movies we watched when undertaking our electrical fitter mechanic training in the Royal Australian Navy... happy days!
I have thought many times while watching your videos how and how often did you have to sharpen your tools . Problem i sometimes run into when i am planing wood is a transition in the direction of the grain of the wood or knots . Especially when i am trying to take off a very small amount of material and the chisel starts digging in deeper than what i want. Splitting the grain creating a place that needs to be glued up and repaired. Really appreciate you and your crews hard work and attention to detail . Especially on the multiple compound angles of your fitting and joinery . Cant wait to celebrate with you when you get Tally Ho into the water and start showing her off ! Love you man ! Keep up the good work ! God bless you !
I just sat and watched a guy talk about sharpening chisels and planers for 45 mins., and was thoroughly captivated. Over the years watching the woodwork has always been great but the way you deliver technical information is outstanding. With the easy to understand style of talking to the diagrams its just great. Still one of the best channels on youtube. thanks again!!
Yes I looked at the video time & thought 45 minutes of that? I watched every minute.
I concur, Joe
Agee
All votech instructors should be like this.
Absolutely true. I learned so much. Thank you LEO!
This is by far the best video on sharpening chisels and planes I've seen. Off to the workshop!
“…piece of fairly fine leather that you always have with you.”
Another cutting-edge video from the Sampson Boat Co.!
Don't apologize for doing a video on sharpening tools. It is absolutely essential to have keen tools, and this will have helped anyone who in the past has struggled. Sharp tools make the work easy. Less than sharp tools make the work frustrating. Spot on video.
Yeah you're not going to get along woodworking with dull tools. Your sharpening game has to be on point.
good to see Yorkshire tea in the breakroom!
Leo restoring tools is the crossover we all needed
No apologies needed, Leo! Really appreciate the time you put into documenting this 'two-year' project!
Hi, Seth! Yes, indeed. I think the 'two years' must be 'tree years', measured like 'dog years' but in reverse. So... let's call it twelve... 😁
Never expected to find this so interesting to be honest. I'm not a wood worker or anything close to that but found it really interesting. And I never really understood the full workings of a plane. This has taught me a lot, for which I thank you! Have a great weekend and week ahead!
Taught.. apologies!
@@stevenholton438 I stand corrected, thanks ;)
@@MarcvanExel If only others would accept spelling corrections like you. Thanks
The inclined plane is one of the first basic tools our ancestors ever made. So you can say it is in all our DNA. And yes an edged tool is an inclined plane. It's two planes that intersect at an angle. It's one of the things along with fire that put us on the map. That and the lever. Those remain our greatest achievements. We can set crap on fire, beat it with a club and cut it up. Ah to be human.
Hi! We have just had two separate Swedish followers contacting us and saying what a great video you have made, explaining the Tormek system 😊
Happy to see you enjoying your machine! 🤩 Regarding the wheel not coming off, are you using the Anti Corrosion Concentrate? It will help keep your grinding wheel and tools rust free. Sometimes ground-off steel particles can find their way in between the main shaft and the girnding wheel, and this happens. Some Anti Corrosion Concentrate in the water should help with this.
Anyways, great video, very pedagogical and helpful to the entire range of people needing saving from dull edges! Stay sharp! 😊
/Hugo and the Tormek team in Lindesberg, Sweden
I'm a Swedish slöjdlärare and I use a Tormek to maintain all the planes, chisels and knives in the woodshop. Getting young people interested in woodwork is my job and it's much easier if the tools are in a condition that makes the work enjoyable.
Send him some, for heavens sake!!!
The quality of Leo's videos Falk into the categories
1. Excellent
2. Excellent
3. Excellent
Thank you it is always good to see a pro does it right
Yaaaah coffee made Leo posts new video, great Saturday entertainment
Hello from Southwest England 🏴
Sticking to your guns on no eye protection!!! You are such a fine Brit!! Class act... I genuinely admire your diplomacy, and WIT...
My father was a fine carpenter and a sought after contractor. He learned his skills apprenticed in a Tacoma shipyard. He was very particular about his chisels, plane irons, carving knives and pocket knives. Even into his late 80's. after sharpening he would strop the blades on an old barbers leather strop. The blades and their edges gleamed. If he was here now, I'm sure he'd agree that this was a wonderful 43 minutes to spend. Thank you.
Yes agreed a good tutorial on sharpening your tools but the one thing I was taught from day one is when the grinder is coming up to speed you don't stand in front of the wheels as you don't know if someone else has hit the wheel not realizing the damage and the wheel could come apart and you don't want to be in front of it if that happens
Thank you, like others I will be referring back to this video for a long time, and I suspect I am not alone.
Fast forward 10 years - this video has 100 million views and is recognised as the perfect video on making edges. Far more interesting than it had any right to be!
Let’s all agree that you are only human and not the “Super Man” that some may think you are! It appears from all the videos I have watched that your work ethic is beyond reproach! There are only so many hours in a given day until the body requires sleep and nourishment.
In other words thank you for doing this video with the time you had!
Wow, great comment 👏,!
Woah right there, hansa! Leo is THE Superman.
Saying "thank you for doing this video with the time you had", combined with "Let’s all agree that you are only human" suggests that this video was not really up to scratch, or at least could have been better. I heartily disagree with that suggestion. I'm sure everyone who is involved in woodworking in spare time or as a volunteer will have learnt a thing or two just by watching this video. Moreover it made me realize how many hours Leo and his team will have been busy sharpening tools when we only saw them use the sharp ones, not sharpening them. There obviously is a whole world behind the woodworking we get to see in the video's, and I think this is something that is not appreciated enough. Therefore I guess this video served two goals very well: one is the explanation on sharpening tools, second is to make all of us realize how much more work there has been done on a daily basis without showing that part so far. Well done Leo. Could not have been done any better.
Fabulous choice of topics. Every episode we the viewers pine away to hear that swoosh of a fine edge on wood, wishing we could sharpen our blades to the Tally Ho standard. Great episode Leo.
i have saved this as my go sharpening video. thanks Leo and da crew
I'm an amateur carpenter taught by my late grandfather who was a cabinet maker by trade (he went on to become a Civil Engineer). I know there is plenty for me to still learn when it comes to carpentry, it is one of the reasons I watch and so much enjoy your videos. Despite my Grandfather's many hours teaching me how to look after and sharpen his (now my) tools, this video has been a revelation as to why some of those tools where never quite as sharp as I would have liked.
The traditional sharpening stone he and I persisted with, with its inevitable uneven wear is the first thing I am changing!.
Thank you for yet another fascinating and educational video. For this reason only, there is a part of me that doesn't want to see Tally Ho ever finished...
I agree with all you say. If I were a bit younger I would enjoy working with you and your crew. I was a boat carpenter/builder/shipwright/pattern maker for ~25 years. I got better about 30 years ago, but still play in the shop.
There are, of course other ways to reach the same result. I had a little different setup. I liked the Makita horizontal grinder/sharpener, it uses Japanese ceramic stones, and with its attachments, it made sharpening power hand planes, jointer and thickness planer blades a bit easier. A vertical wet side wheel bench grinder for roughing, and buffing wheels on a vertical grinder for burr removal and a bit of polishing.
Why back bevel a plane? If you are unfortunate enough to need to plane highly figured wood, or really anything with messed up grain, a higher angled plane blade will reduce tearout. If your plane has too shallow an angle for your wood you can steepen it with a little back bevel.
Best wishes young man.
I started watching your chanel when you were saying - Im on a mission to restore and rebuild this 110 year old sailing yacht and haven't missed a video since. You should be more popular because your content is very cool.
(Love from Lithuania🇱🇹)
Great Job Leo!!! As always... great video. You should think about doing this for a living.
This may be one of the most helpful videos you’ve ever done. Thanks?
What great craftsmanship .... CRAFTSMAN..... what great skill .... CRAFTSMAN..... What great description of the process.... CRAFTSMAN..... What great detailing of the difference between uses of the tool.... CRAFTSMAN..... What great attention to the process of sharpening.... CRAFTSMAN....
I’ll take your vids as you release ‘em; good wishes for continued progress.
Great to see you have someone willing to send Yorkshire Tea over, there is no substitute.
Leo, Sir. The very most majority of viewers are grateful for everything you share. Pay no attention to those ‘haters’. Life is good and it’s better when you post and teach us techniques etc. thanks again for all you do to keep wood boat building alive in the USA and Mother Country, Great Britain.
The care for your tools is reflected in the work done on Tally Ho. 👍
As a Qualified Saw doctor, you did an awesome job of explaining the principles of sharpness and how to achieve it consistently. Well done and thanks for all your content.
Yeah! A new post from Leo. Let the saga continue.
Leo, thank you for spending a few of your valueable hours on training us, amateur woodworkers, on how to sharpen cutting tools. It certainly helped me to treat my planes and chisels better than i did up to now. Please train us more on similar woodworking tools.
This was the most useful chisel sharpening video I have ever watched. It just clicked for me. I had a 1" chisel that was getting hard to keep sharp as it was slowly getting a convex rounding on the bevel. Rather than 45min of hand grinding with a jig and a coarse oilstone, I spend about 5 min hollow grinding it and finishing it off with a fine oilstone and a strop to get a "smooth arm" shave out of it.
Leo’s hair is the sharpest thing in this video 👌🏻
Super helpful video, thanks. Take all the time you need to publish, quality first and speed second (as usual). And your videos have given me an appreciation of flat head screws...
Leo, you are a true professional......this is the best sharpening video i have ever seen!
Watched every episode from day one and you're doing an amazing job Leo! 👍
Me too... Great videos.
Same here, keep on to the end result Leo.
At 63 it's never to late to learn something, Thank You Leo!
Leo is my favorite renaissance man
Leo you are a rare thing on this platform: knowledgeable and skilled but humble. Well done.
A cabinet maker taught me how to sharpen chisels etc. Much the same way as you demonstrated in your first run. What he gave me was a block of slate much the same size as a regular whetstone. A little water to lubricate and the chisel polishes up a treat. The slate of course was very smooth to begin with.
OMG mega flashbacks..my old man was a storm window/door installer for 40 years..he was a true craftsman..able to address any issue encountered with the tools and materials carried on his truck..I was instructed in the fine art of chisel/planer sharpening at a early age 8-9 years old and proper use of knives and blades..only difference was he preferred a 45 degree angle on his chisels especially his floor chisel so he could cut through fasteners holding the wood/trim in place..he even had a very large floor chisel that he kept a double sided 60 degree used for cutting through heavier concrete anchors..this was was waaaay before battery powered anything..I still to this day have fond memories of watching a Master on a Stanley Yankee #130..zip zip bang..zip zip bang..
"Well, almost everyone..." Jeez, Folks. Patience is a virtue.
Exactly!
I have a Tormek. Bought it used off of eBay. Best investment I ever made.
"A lot of people say the circle method sharpens quicker than the back and forth method but I have no opinion. What makes it sharpen quicker is the Tormek." Well said Clifton. A great video on sharpening and was well worth the extra week wait. Thanks for sharing Leo, Richard, and Clifton.
Figure 8 method for a more precise grind, less likely to get things out of square
@@Adamsadventures83 I was amused by Clifton's comment. The fastest and most reliable seemed to be the best for him if you have a Tormek.
I was about to make a comment about your sharpening video, and Paul O'donhue has said it all for me! .Very well put together Leo!
Thanks for a great tutorial! As a steel fabricator, I have been like Clifton was in the past. Years ago I inherited a bunch of stones from my great grandfather that I had no idea how to use properly. Now my home projects will come together more "smoothly"!
This took me back 50 years ago, watching my father sharpen his tools every Saturday morning in the shed... That whoosh of a sharp plane doing its work, is a sound I'll never forget... Cheers for that...
one of the best "tutorials" on sharpening I've seen. NICELY DONE!
Leo, I want to thank you very much for this. Using what you taught us here I have gotten my father in law's old Hubbard's hand planer from a rusted wreck to an almost perfectly working tool... very sufficient for my needs. I have also reconditioned a pair of his old chisels as well as a set my wife bought me years ago. Using this video I've gotten exactly the dual surface edge you've shown, and for the first time in a long time I have the ability to cut insets into my new homemade shop benches, as well as doing other work I previously had to use power tools for.
Thank you. I deeply appreciate you taking the time to make this video, and presenting this in a simple, understandable manner.
Incidentally, using my late father's tools and stash of sailing stuff, in the very near future I will be adding a gaff rigged sloop sailing rig to my 14ft hybrid electric Livingston. I'm looking forward to finally being able to teach my daughter how to sail. What you taught me on this video, as well as many building techniques you have shown on Tally Ho, will be used in that project.
Looking forward to seeing Tally Ho get wet bud!
I found myself thinking, so that's how it works and I didn't know that. Leo's instruction is superb.
Combined with his skill with the camera which highlighted difficult to see bits, makes this a master class in how to sharpen edges.
I kid you not, I was looking at my chisel and going to find a video tonight! Thanks Leo!
Nice to see Leo showing viewers the importance of how to sharpen woodworking tools. Great learning experience. Sharp tools are a critical activity for sure which greatly effects the overall quality of the work. Actual woodworking activity goes much quicker and is much more productive when care is taken with the sharpness of tools. One of the first things they taught me in woodenboat building school was how to properly maintain and care for my personal tools. It may come as a surprise to some, but most wooden boatwrights don't like anyone else borrowing or using their tools for good reasons - period.
Very very useful tip about sharpening thanks
Thank you, Leo. Got to see the yard a few weeks ago and the door was up so go to see the boat. You guys were at lunch so we semi-stalked you with two drive bys-- but really cool to see the natural habitat. The Olympic Peninsula is amazing. What a wonderful place.
Love the sound of a sharp plane cutting
Regarding abrasive stones exploding when wet, it is in fact partially tue. If the stone has been submerged for a lengthy time or left out in the weather, they will indeed explode on occasion due to water degrading the stones integrity. When a stone is used indoors to grind material as you did, the water used for cooling is not a problem and will not degrade the stones integrity. The reason for this is twofold. THe first reason is centrifugal force. Any amount of water carried by the material being ground is quickly flung away from the stone. The second reason is heat. The small amount of water that might possibly have been absorbed by the stone is quickly turned to vapour due to the heat of grinding.
Another thing that was not discussed was how to test a stone for cracks which are far more likely to cause the stone to explode in use. To test the stone, put your finger in the bore of the stone and suspend it so it is not in contact with anything else. The using a metal object like a piece of steel rod or a medium sized wrench (Spanner for our English friends), gently tap the side of the stone. If the stone rings it has no cracks. If it doesn't ring it's cracked and should be discarded as the chance of it exploding in use is very high.
From the view of automated grinding machines: The water isn't really flung away quick. If you use constant cooling, even a fast silicon carbide will soak up the liquid. And if the stone is stopped, the water will seep to the bottom, resulting in a strong imbalance when later spun up again.
One way to deal with this is to keep the stone running for some time after use without further adding coolant.
then if you put it in a microwave oven it gets hot, when you wash it in soapy water the oil that was increased would come to the surface roll of, and run down the road, a car would come along and skid on the oil then there would be an accident, and people would get hurt.
@@brian.7966 True, but only if the car was going uphill in a snowstorm.....
@@crankyoldguy2 on a half tank of gas with no spare tire
I ran stone wheels in water for years. They were man made not natural stone. Ealiest man made stones would explode.
I learned to sharpen tools many years ago at a carpentry training centre in Plymouth UK. The best thing I ever did, apart from marrying my wife.
When I suggested to the main man that he should get a faster sharpening wheel, He said "just stay with that one"; a huge, slow, water wetted sand type wheel. Oh the satisfaction when I got it right. We would use a piece of marble to finish off and do the shaving bit.
I am in awe of your achievements.Many thanks.
Downloding this one, it was worth waitintg for. :) Thank you.
The best video on sharpening I’ve watched yet.
I thought I was disappointed by the subject but this was actually fantastic
I just wanted to know how to sharpen a chisel immediately as I was in the middle of using a blunt one, a quick search on you tube; you cam in first so I sat and watched for over 40 minutes! I was captivated, I also know how a plane works now, I have lots of planes mainly because when they get "unusable" I get another. A lot of things changed for me today so a big thank you, sorry no interest in boats but I have subscribed.
I’m a Patreon supporter and the last thing I want is you worrying about hiccups in the video schedule. So no apologies needed here, please just enjoy yourself and a massive thank you :) for taking us along.
Stopped a 6.45 I totally agree with you. I started my church organ building apprenticeship I September 1970 at the age of 16 I brought with me on my first day my tool box with two planes and 4 bevelled edged Stanley, and 6 Palm brand firmer chisels. My foreman said to me he would teach me to sharpen the chisels and plane irons in between me doing general shop duties and said to me for every ten strokes on the sharpening stone on the bevel, he wanted me to do 20 on the back to get it flat and keep it that way. I'm 68 now and I still to this day do it that way and finish it on an oiled leather strop, ( I used to use the flat of my palm stropping 2" and 2 1/4" plane irons but once you slice your palm open you don't do it that way again lol)
Having watched all the way through now, you have given a pretty comprehensive coverage of sharpening most edge tool and if anyone is struggling to get their tools sharp this should really help them. As an ex professional woodworker and later on High school technician, who had to sharpen two sets of 20 number four planes two sets of 20 number 5 and two sets of 120 various sized chisels from 1/8" through to 1" plus set probably 80 mortise chisels then a couple of number 7 jointers, every about 6 weeks with odds and ends in between I think I know just a little bit about sharpening hand tools, and this is a good video. But I still sharpen my own the way I was taught start on the back, do the bevel, onto the back again one stroke on the bevel to really weaken the wire edge as we called the burr then strop on leather and you could actually pull the wire edge off of the blade if it had been really blunt. My only concession to 'modern' technology is using a diamond sharpening stone these days for the little I do. I love your diamond sets they look really good but I bet they are pricy as is everything these days. I'd hate to have to sort myself out a tool kit as an apprentice woodworker in 2022 lol
It's unbelievable. This video says it's nearly 43 minutes, but when I watched it, it was over in the blink of an eye. There can only be one explanation: it must be very interesting. I know you're a boat builder and a sailor, but if you would ever lose your interest in these things, there would still be a career as a documentary maker ahead of you. I'm sure you would be one of the best in the business. And once again: thanks for sharing this project with us.
He *is* already a documentary maker. And a pretty good one.The substantial following of this channel is prove of his well honed (and honest) narrating and editing skills.
Thanks Leo just remembering me of my apprenticeship cabernet making wood machinist in the 80ts
As a woodworker, I found this video to be very informative Leo. As you correctly noted, there are many different ways to sharpen those tools. Your explanation and demonstration of the sharpening techniques were right on point! Well done! Tally Ho & looking forward to your next video! 👍👍
One thing I thought of to say is that you can rub some polishing rouge or other compound into your leather while stropping. Thanks gents. Love you and always appreciate your offerings.
With these videos, Leo is the grindstone, the diamondstone & Tormek all in one with which all viewers like myself sharpen their minds and skills. Much appreciated.
Well put!
Hey Leo, Thanks for the video and keep up the good work with the Tally Ho.
The one we have waited for! All the effortless chisel work is always amazing!!
Agree. Love watching them use edge tools. Especially when they cut cross grain.
I restored a beautiful 100yo #7 Stanley and can finally give it the edge it deserves.
This was amazingly informative and interesting Leo. Thank you for this video. I learned so much I didnt know before and have always wondered about. You are an excellent teacher. 😀
At first I didn't think I would watch the whole thing but man I was glued to the screen. Nice job Leo and crew!
An excellent tutorial Leo. Well sharpened hand tools are such a pleasure to use. I much prefer them to loud motorized tools. Once you spend the time grinding in the basic blade shapes and doing that first sharpening it is only a matter of honing, as needed, to keep the tool working for you. In other words it is a long time before you must regrind a tool.
Great video. I sharpened tools at a school workshop for many years. Always took the corners off plane irons to stop them digging in.
Omg finally! I've always been amazed how easily their tools glide through hardwood end grain!
Yes, and Richard's tip about thinned linseed oil on the end grain is something to remember, for sure.
This was the most informative sharpening video I have seen anywhere. I now have super sharp chisels and planes. Thanks so much!
Hey Leo,
I’ve set myself up today to restore an edge on my plane steel on an oil stone (yet another method)
I though it would take some time so I opened UA-cam to play in a background and your sharpening tools video came as a first suggestion:D
I’ve sharpened my plane steel watching your clip :)
Keep up good work you’re doing
Cheers
Thanks for the information about the use of a grinding wheel to repair a blade thus giving you a smaller dual edge o contend with. I learned much from this video.
For those starting out or who can't afford any kind of stone, a flat surface such as glass or polished stone and a set of wet/dry sandpaper up to 1,000 grit or so can produce a very sharp blade. Paper is used wet, and some practice will be needed. Same steps as Leo showed.
Agreed. I use 320 followed by 600. Then strop on a clipboard of 6 or so sheets of paper and a smear of metal polish, no leather needed. And disposable. Skip shaving your arm, check for sharpness on the back of your fingernail. The lower the angle it bites, the sharper it is.
Also, half the wear and tear on your edge is from dragging it back. Pick it up, like a file.
Timing is everything! I have not used or needed to use or sharpen a chisel in decades however last week (literally on Tuesday) I needed to use and sharpen a chisel and used what little I learned from my father who was a German cabinet maker and I actually was surprised to be able to get the tool sharp enough to cut a very crisp edge on the wood I was working with. But now that I’ve watched your video I’m going to revisit that chisel and do it the way you showed and see how much sharper I can get it. There is something very satisfying about being able to sharpen your tools razor sharp!
The satisfaction comes in using sharp tools for me.
Paleo, thanks for the tutorial. My grandfather used leather strap to hone his straight razor every single day before he shaved interesting. It's amazing that leather can be used on Steel. Once again thanks for the tutorial I appreciate it, good job I'm on the boat by the way.. PS I've not missed an episode since the beginning.. thanks again
Wow!!! Thank you Leo and Crew!! Didn't expect a 45 minute segment but totally appreciate the thorough and concise explanation on this basic and MOST IMPORTANT technique. Absolutely nothing is more satisfying than the fine shaping of wooden pieces with properly sharpened tools to the point where they fit together like machined metal parts!!! Very likely one of the biggest reasons all of us "arm chair craftsmen" are "addicted" to watching all of your videos with so much respect and admiration for what you all are accomplishing.
As a very nearly eight decade craftsman, I have been so very impressed from the beginning of your Tally Ho project by the precision of all of your joinery. All made possible through the use of very precise patterning, very skillful manual dexterity, and absolutely essential, SHARP TOOLS!!!
Thank you so much for spending the time to show all of us "junior craftsmen" the secrets of sharp chisels and planes!!! Following your instruction will certainly result in improvements in all of our endeavors.
👍👍👍🛠🔩⚙🔧⛏😉😉🍷🍺🥂
As a once carpenter, I sharpened everything by hand coz' I had no alternatives other than an oil stone - still do sharpen by hand. Your explanations of the sharpening processes are impeccable. I have long lusted for a Tormek - but - cannot justify the costs now. I think diamond stones & water stones are awesome.
leo, fantastic video, ive used the tormek system for years ,one tip is to mark the old bevel with a permanent marker before sharpening, leaves a great witness mark on the plane iron .
Best advice I have seen on sharpening chisels and plane blades. Many thanks for making this video.
Leo!
Thanks a million!
My dad could sharpen a chisel or plane expertly and shave with it. I could not. This session has taught me so much. I want to go in my shop and try my hand and new knowledge out. I'm not a spring chick and now in my advanced age l finally will do it right!
A Massive thanks!
Hollow grind then use a sharpening jig. You can get a good Eclipse copy for about $14 or so. You can get a so so one for about half that. Me, I splurged and got the good one myself. I'd been sharpening freehand for decades before I got a jig. I can do it. Using a jig makes it so much easier. I like the results better too. But you do need flat sharpening stones. I use diamond plates. They're always flat.
Finished the video and saw It was 45 min.. what I thought like 10 min. Thanks for the vid I learned a few things.. keep up the work!
Loved this. Would be nice to have a show-and-tell of the different tools that you're using throughout the process or specific tools for specific jobs.
Nice job on the sound. You could hear how nice of a job you did on the Stanley plane!
Spot on Mate, My father was a Carpenter, from him I leaned framing homes, and commercial building. I learned Cabinet building from my shop teacher. Putting a keen edge on blades was a passion of mine. To this day I gather all the kitchen knives up and give them a good edge.. The one thing I did with unintended outcome, was shaving with a straight razor. On top of it all this was while I was at sea,as a ET on US Navy Ship. Never nick my self, hands were steady. The guys gave me a wide birth.. For stropping I rubed some ultra fine polishing compound into the leather.
Game changer of a video! In my wood shop class we had no power tools. We learned how to care for, sharpen and safely use pretty much every hand tool there is. This brought back great memories! I saw my first Tormek when Norm Abram built a sharpening station on the New Yankee Workshop....amazing tool. Thanks again!
Your videos have always been awesome, no clickbait, just really cool information of all types. Thanks for taking us along for this journey!
Anyone else just thrilled at 29:27 like me??? Those shavings were worth the wait. Maybe I'm easily amused... What a great tutorial!
Thank you Leo, it is extremely satisfying watching your videos. The sharpening tool video is excellent and reminded me of the training movies we watched when undertaking our electrical fitter mechanic training in the Royal Australian Navy... happy days!
Outstanding! I was one that asked the question!! Very, very well presented and appreciated!
I have thought many times while watching your videos how and how often did you have to sharpen your tools . Problem i sometimes run into when i am planing wood is a transition in the direction of the grain of the wood or knots . Especially when i am trying to take off a very small amount of material and the chisel starts digging in deeper than what i want. Splitting the grain creating a place that needs to be glued up and repaired. Really appreciate you and your crews hard work and attention to detail . Especially on the multiple compound angles of your fitting and joinery . Cant wait to celebrate with you when you get Tally Ho into the water and start showing her off ! Love you man ! Keep up the good work ! God bless you !
Love the way he illustrates with hand gestures while holding the sharpend tool. That takes guts!