Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

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Diane Kauffmds
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Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

I finally received my Two Cherries chisels, 2 bench chisels in 6mm and 16mm, and one 16mm curved chisel.

They seem a HUGE leap above my Marples Blue Chip chisels, which were disappointing The Cherries are polished to a mirror shine, on all sides. They're nicely balanced. I also needed a good sharpening system.

After doing a lot of research, I bought an Alisam sharpening sled and a fine grit Spyderco ceramic bench stone. I also have 4 grits of 3M micro sharpening papers, which I'm putting on marble.

I really like the sled. I can dial in the angle I want. It has a disc that ensures my chisels are at a 90° angle, and it has small springs on the front wheels. You can't put too much pressure on whatever you're honing. It'll fit over a stone up to 3" wide. The 2 handles work well for me, esp. since I've had surgeries on both hands.

It's idiot proof for this idiot.
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Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
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MaineGeezer
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by MaineGeezer »

That sharpening setup looks interesting. How well does it handle very narrow (e.g. 1/8") chisels?
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tippie53
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by tippie53 »

be sure you use as much of the stone as you can side to side ect.
Here is something that you may find interesting. I have used this and it does work. As a side note save a leather belt and with jewelers rouge it makes a great strop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OZI_8k7h4
John Hall
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Diane Kauffmds
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

MaineGeezer wrote:That sharpening setup looks interesting. How well does it handle very narrow (e.g. 1/8") chisels?
It held my 1/8" Blue Chip securely and straight. It straightened out the edge, which wasn't 90° anymore.

What surprised me was how little pressure it puts on the edge, but allows fast sharpening. I found an old article in woodworkers Journal, comparing honing guides. The Alisam was judged the most useful. They make 3 models, depending on your stone thickness. It will allow the use of a stone up to 3" wide, but if you go that wide, you'll only use the middle of the stone. This is why I opted for a 2" wide stone, so I can use the whole stone.
Here's the article: http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/chise ... e-reviews/
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
Diane Kauffmds
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

tippie53 wrote:be sure you use as much of the stone as you can side to side ect.
Here is something that you may find interesting. I have used this and it does work. As a side note save a leather belt and with jewelers rouge it makes a great strop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OZI_8k7h4
Thank you for the top. Right now I'm using a ceramic sharpening stone, so it shouldn't wear at all. But, I'm thinking of adding a waterstone. I'll make sure to use the whole surface.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Nice Diane. I have the curved Two Cherries chisel as well. I have found it hard to put in my veritas jig to sharpen it though.
A strop is almost a necessity (or a buffing wheel, which I have and use too) for getting that scary sharp, no burr edge. Mount the leather on a wood paddle and you can use it with the chisel/plane blade in the guide.
Diane Kauffmds
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Kevin Sjostrand wrote:Nice Diane. I have the curved Two Cherries chisel as well. I have found it hard to put in my veritas jig to sharpen it though.
A strop is almost a necessity (or a buffing wheel, which I have and use too) for getting that scary sharp, no burr edge. Mount the leather on a wood paddle and you can use it with the chisel/plane blade in the guide.
I used to cut precious opal from Australia. I have leather wheel pads along with several grits of very fine grit diamond polishing compound to use with it. I think it should work well with the chisels and irons. I also have an old belt as John mentioned, so i can go either direction.

The curved chisel will have to be done by hand. I can't use the Alisam either.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
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Kbore
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Kbore »

<------Chisel envy. Be interesting to hear how you like your sharpening system. I keep going. Ack to wet or dry sand paper on a granite. I did add 300 and 1000 diamond stones that eliminated paper below 1000. Enjoy you new chisels!
Measure Twice,

Karl B
Diane Kauffmds
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Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Kbore wrote:<------Chisel envy. Be interesting to hear how you like your sharpening system. I keep going. Ack to wet or dry sand paper on a granite. I did add 300 and 1000 diamond stones that eliminated paper below 1000. Enjoy you new chisels!
I'm using marble with micro abrasive paper. I should be able to get a decent edge and keep it.

I've been using chisels that dont keep an edge for a couple of years now. It's time to upgrade.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
Diane Kauffmds
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Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Two Cherries Chisels and New Sharpening System

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

I sharpened the new chisels and my small low angle plane today. I used the ceramic stone first, then 4 grades of micro sharpening film. I have an old belt to make a strop, but didn't need it today.

I managed to make them scary sharp. I have the missing hair on my left arm (and a cut on my finger, lol) to prove it.

I managed to use the sled with my curved chisel. I ignored the degree setting, and simply matched the bevel.

I still have to sharpen my old chisels, the jack plane, and the smooth plane. I'm going to invest in the ultra fine ceramic stone, and make a leather strop. The film's don't last long, so I prefer to spend my money on something much more permanent.

The two cherries chisels took longer to sharpen, so I expect their edges to last longer.
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Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
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