How To Sharpen Chisels By Hand - Like a Pro !
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- čas přidán 28. 10. 2020
- How to sharpen chisels by hand. In this video Rob Cosman teaches you how to prepare your new chisels and how to sharpen chisels by hand in just a few seconds. Forget the jigs and all the time wasted setting them up. Learn how to sharpen chisels by hand in just 10-15 seconds.
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the author does like to from scratch, shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. czcams.com/users/postUgkxD-QRFQz730FJEh4f9BYSf-nkIMIC9hL_ as another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us dont have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we wont be able to practice the full stack project, is still great.
Rob, you've become my favorite master woodworker, especially as a master training coach. I have been a woodworker (building guitars) for decades, but after watching you I've learned so much about sharpening my chisels and planes. I would love to sit under your teaching. Thank you for including good teaching techniques on CZcams. "I'm a devoted fan! " Dwayne Barker, Barker Guitars, Ltd.
Rob, after 40 or 50 years of sharpening I doubt you would change your ways now and I will say that your Technique is very thorough to say the least . I have to say though in my experience of 44 years in the Machine Shop as a machinist I would like to give a word to the wise because it might help in the future of some of your students. I was taught in the beginning of my machine shop career when polishing or flattening to always use a figure eight pattern and the reason for this is the part that's being polished gets polished at an even plane the Figure 8 pattern accomplishes this it may take a little bit to master the movement but afterwards the yield it produces is very much worth the time you put in to master it thank you Rob you're a great teacher
I was taught the same in the Air Force machine shop in the 1978-1986 but they changed that and it did not matter after we got the polishing machine
I was taught the figure 8 method during my joinery and carpentry qualification and I have found success with it, but each to their own ::)
I'm a much more green machinist and we were taught the same thing. It's awesome seeing that some things don't change because of how effective they are.
I can definitely see that the figure 8 will also help with stone ware as well.
On another note when we sharpened cutters for our mills. Where Rob takes a clean up on the back of the blade to get rid of the micro burr. We would use a penny on our cutters! I have not tried it yet but I would think a copper penny would do the same on a chisel or a plane blade.
The copper is soft enough it can’t damage the tool steel. I know it worked well for me.
I'm here because my wife used my chisel to pull a nail out of the wall
My grandfather always says that a sharp tool does at it is told. A dull one has a mind of its own. I have learned over the years that is always true.
I love that saying. Never heard it before. Thanks
Wise man, your Grandpa...
Yup, wise man
That’s so wise! I’ll bet that’s been true since humans have been working with sharp tools. As a matter of fact, your grandfather might have gotten the saying from HIS grandfather! ... and HIS grandfather might have gotten it from...
Another one: A dull tool can hurt you, a sharp tool can send you to the ER. Still, I'd go with sharp and control...
Hi rob. I used to go down to my shop on a sunday afternoon to sharpen my plane and chisel sets, my wife told me i spend all my time at work ,and eventually she left. Theres only the user that appreciates the work that goes into having sharp tools.
I’m binge watching your sharpening and planing videos, Thank you! Truly, you’re an absolute legend. This is the type of craftsmanship that must be taught to our generation. This is critical information to share and pass along. The plane sharpening video explaining why the shaving was split and not perfectly one slice was beyond incredible. Thank you!
Rob has earned a customer with his great free training via these CZcams videos and great service from his web site. Even though I have to wait longer for shipping from Canada to the US than if I ordered from a US site it is worth it to support him.
Thanks for your support. But we give you free maple syrup in many of your orders!
Phil, I agree 100%!!! I decided some time ago that while I might save a few bucks ordering from Rockler or Woodcraft, if I buy from Rob and the crew I know my money is supporting the best woodworking content on the internet, and it’s also helping support the Purple Heart Project. Add to that the fact that Rob’s saws (and some of his other tools, like his dovetail marking knife) are among the best tools you can buy.
@@JamesWilliams-en3os I just ordered Rob's dovetail knife and the AdjuSTAR for my WoodRiver 5 1/2. I had to buy the 5 1/2 from woodcraft because I am in the US. I was surprised to get a call from Rob thanking me for my order!
Stumbled into your shop, didn’t trip over on your non-uniform floor, picked out various service insignia, and, I have been inspired!!!
After following you for a couple of years I find that my chisels are way more responsive than they used to be, although I still don’t feel that I get them to the point that you have your chisels. I have finally trained myself to the point that I realize the 30 seconds that I spend sharpening a chisel or a plane iron is the best thing that I do during a project. It doesn’t take long and it just makes everything go so much smoother.
Amen
One of the best videos I have ever seen on sharpening. Everything was explained in a "common sense" manner. Thank you for posting this.
Keep watching and we will keep posting
Hi Rob. I can't thank you enough for your videos. About this chisel thing, I don't use the trend or any oher diamond plate anymore to flatten the back of a chisel. It always lead to some unwanted heavier scratch at some point. I don't know why is that, but with the suehiro debado stones (ceramic) and a sharpal to flatten them I always get perfect results. To me diamond plates are great for reshaping bevels, or other heavy work, but I avoid touching final surfaces with them, they aren't as realiable as ceramic stone, from my experience. Sure it's a matter of chance the same happened to you this time, but who knows ;)
Thanks for sharing that, well done!
Great lesson Rob, thanks.
Shapton: Make sure you clean your blade and your hands before using the 16000 stone
Rob: Hold my beer
Never gets old watching Rob sharpen a chisel.
Well if you watch it long enough you will age for sure !!!!!!!
Thankyou for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.
Another great video!
Fantastic lesson. Thanks
So glad I subscribed today!
So glad i found your channels Sir.
Now I can learn more and more.
Just subscribed and really appreciate your attention to detail. You are a very good teacher!
Thanks Rob. It was very well done.
Thank you! This is a great learning video on how to sharpen chisels. I had no idea how to sharpen chisels but now I have an idea how to sharpen them!
I have really enjoyed watching these videos (I must have watched 4 or 5 now). I have recently started making guitars and the one thing I have learnt is that sharp well set up tools are essential. Thanks for the Tips !
Wasn't until a friend of mind recommended your videos and I acquired some of the sharpening tools you use that I truly began to appreciate the importance of taking the time to prepare your tools. Essential for success. When you have a dedicated setup like you recommend it encourages you to sharpen more frequently because it is relatively low effort for the results. Thank you
Excellent. Thank you.
Well done Rob, another great video, thanks a lot.
Your welcome, thanks for watching
thank you rob for this and your plane blade sharpening video. I have struggled with sharpening chisels for years and feel from your videos i have learned more in a short time watching you than i have in years and i look forward to using your methods when i next attempt to sharpen my chisels although they will never be as sharp as yours i hope to get them to a level that lets me cut wood instead of butcher it lol
Excellent
Great. Thanks
Great video Rob!!!
Thanks
Thank you so much
Love to see vid on sharping wood carvings gouges/tools.
Excellent advice regarding finger pressure on the back of the chisel. Started with a crappy chisel and found my stride. I think I am ready to work on my 'good' chisels. Thanks.
I know exactly what you are talking about. I spent 15 years in a machine shop. First 7 years was in a production shop. There grinding room had grinders with gig's to establish angles. Then I spent the next 8 years in oilfield machine shop.grinders with no gig's. So I had to learn to sharpen by hand. One thing about tools it never cuts well right out of the new package. A new drill bit always went to the grinder before it touched any metal. N then it would cut through steel like butter. Most novelist say "ooo my bit is dull get a new one" never reaching perfection as they don't learn to sharpen. Sharp tools are a pleasure to use.
You are a good teacher brother, I have learned a lot, thank you
Thank you for your instruction
You are welcome!
Excellent. Now I have some work to do😃
Your videos are amazing your a great teacher thank you so much for making this video
ive been waiting for this one
and here it is
you have taught me very much in so a short couple of video's, thank you for your help.
I think it's a case of practice makes perfect. end grain is where my chisels suffer. time to revisit my sharpening skills. thanks Rob
Glad you have to clean up the edge and then do it again and again. When a professional has to redo again and again for a perfect edge , it tells me that perfection is achieveable. And you keep a time frame for getting that perfect edge.
I feel like that would be a really cool demonstration if you make an epoxy chisel as far as showing the scratches as it would go from dull to transplant as you sharpen. Great video Rob and his crew. I bought that 16,000 grit and it has made a difference for me but not as much as watching Rob explain his method. Thank you
Rob. Great vlog as ever. One thing you might add is the process of polishing the back of the chisel can (with some smaller mitred or curved back chisels) put a cutting edge on the sides of the chisels that needs to be rounded off before you cut your fingers to pieces.
Hi Rob, I'm a Dutchman and I must tell you that you give very clear instructions and it is very interesting for me to watch your videos. It has given me a lot of information. Thank you, you are a wonderful Canadian.
Thank you Rob, I was working on a project in my shop and found that my chisel had grown dull I remember what you had shown in your videos and I tried your Technik for hand chisel i found my chisel was sharp in no time and I was back to work cutting hard maple I found the chisel was cutting like fine machine.
Nothing beats chiseling with a sharp chisel. Thank you for your pro tips, they reinforce what I have learnt. Always a pleasure to see a master craftsman like yourself showing how you do it.
Keep watch and i will keep filming
Thank you very much for this video. I am preparing for my first woodworking project (sawhorse video by Next Level Carpentry) and with your help I just flattened and sharpened my first set of chisels by Narex on a Trend diamond stone. Process took 2 hours... I am gaining an appreciation for masters like yourself in the woodworking field. -Carter
Fourth time watching this and I think I'm getting it... I was struggling with the 1/4" so glad I rewatched for the narrow chisel technique.
Hi Rob very great video I used a thing to insert the chisel set the correct angle and I noticed it was missing a rolling wheel now I'm 60 years old and finally I figured out how to freehand sharpen it properly the chisels get sharper not perfect but practice makes perfect. Why do you use water to sharpen? Also I like you say not to use circular motion but straight back and forth but also try to work all the stone rather than create a hollow in the stone nice teaching Rich good work thanks also having the stone ant right comfortable level is very important when using it and can make a big difference to outcome
Yasss, my vote won! Also
Thnaks for your comments
Super funny watching this; or not depending how you look at it, I learned the flattening techniques on my own, even with the thinner chisels. Mind you, it was on my new set of white paper Japanese chisels where I messed a couple up. Guess I should’ve watched this video first! Thanks for the info Rob!
You sure make that look easy, Rob!
It is
Well it IS EASY . Bloody hell.
I will attest that dull chisels are dangerous. so is improper use of them. (lets have a safety video Rob!)
On my very first dovetail, after watching how to cut them I was clearing waste out (the Paul sellers way, meaning not cutting the waste with a fret saw or coping saw) and was holding the wood with one hand and clearing the waste with the other, 1/2 inch chisel ointed at my hold fast(what should have been)needless to say I nearly ended my career as a woodworker and possibly an alive person.
it came out hot, and I sharpened them to scary , SCARY, sharp, thanks rob,, it hit my wrist in the "non attention seeking way" and it could have been worse, but millimeters, possibly thousands of an inch away from my vein.
never point a chisel with ANY FORSE at any part of you.
i very valuable lesson for me, and maybe you if you do that sillyness
Fantastic. I've always struggled to sharpen my chisels . . . now I know why!! Thanks, heading to the shed right now to practice :). Thanks.
I just did the same an had to come back an watch it again ! Well took my laptop with me outside this time
This is my first time ever leaving a comment on CZcams, I have never really felt a need before. I just wanted to thank you! I started woodworking about 2 ish years ago and have been gathering tools and equipment slowly during this period so I dont have a ton yet so I do what I can with what I have. I would always lament not having a planar or jointer to help get my stuff squared up and flat and when I saw your video on getting flat boards it helped me realize I do not need to spend hundreds on those powertools. I got a No. 5 jack planner and some chisels shortly after and got a good sharpening stone and diamond plate (from this video actually and im back because I need to get a good sharpening done and needed to review). Again just wanted to thank you for your amazing work and share a little of how your work has pivoted my views on woodworking and my journey. I am still terrible and have a lot of issues but ill keep at it so please keep doing what you do!
I'm the first person who is liking your comment as well as replying isn't that's great 😌
Great walkthrough, I need to spend more time on the backs of my chisels to get them flat. Does the process change at all on the back for Japanese chisels? Thanks
I absolutely love your style of teaching. This is my third time watching this video in particular. I’m a BBQ but I’m trying my hand at woodworking. Thank you for all you do.
BBQ? Barbecue?
@@martintheron1386 lol. Was suppose to be beginner. I use swipe typing. I guess auto correct got me again
Aa always, a top educational video.
Thanks
Learning to sharpen is, to my mind, THE most important skill one can acquire. To be able to sharpen a tool in these few seconds, with out the use of a jig, means you will always be mindful of your tool and never shy about keeping it sharp. This changes our skillset, which means it changes the way we work wood.
Superb video guys! Sharpening is such a contentious issue across the world. You just ended the argument for me. Thanks
Glad my video was helpful
The saying that you get what you pay for is so true......just can’t beat good quality tools.......
Those chisels are so sharp that it must be a joy to use........I’ll have to look at your sharpening method in more detail......
Yes check it out. I think you will like it
Mike, my first purchase from Rob was the stones and other tools for sharpening plane irons by his method. I’ve used the Cosman method for about six months now, and it just flat works. My planes and chisels are “scary sharp”, and my chisels are gonna be even scarier-sharp now that I’ve seen this video. Mark me down as one more convert to Rob’s sharpening method..
@@RobCosmanWoodworking Rob.....check your store orders......I’ve ordered some stuff for delivery to Aus......cheers
Excellent work by your cameraperson!
Great video, Rob. Do you ever strop?
thx kindly
By the way great video.
Hey Rob, I swapped a couple of comments with you a couple of months ago, about doing dovetails with a bad right hand. Haven't accomplished anything, but Roy Underhill has inspired me to take on a Roubo bookstand, which takes some fine chiseling. The problem with that, for me, is I can't swing a hammer with my right, nor can I hold the chisel effectively with the right. Damned if do, damned if I don't.
I'm envisioning a power woodcarving chisel made for fine detail work like morticing hinges. I've seen a few but haven't had the chance to try one out. They talk about very small stroke lengths and high frequency for tiny carving tools, or tools meant to cut sheet metal. I don't think an oscillating tool would work, nor obviously a rotary tool. Something like the pneumatic chisel, with more finesse and a cutter that doesn't bounce around. Definitely would need power control. Have you seen any such thing? Any other ideas?
Thanks again Rob. I've watched all of your sharpening videos at least twice, just to make sure I haven't missed something or picked up some bad habits. My plane irons and chisels are such an exquisite pleasure to use thanks to you. Having used a Lie Nielsen jig in the past with pretty good success, i see two major differences with your technique. First, now I always sharpen whenever there is even a slight hint of dullness, but with the jig I usually waited too long because setting the jig was a bit of a pain. Second, with the jig I often had to use a square to check that I hadn't put a skew on the blade, and the right side of the bevel often became wider than the left. The jig doesn't allow for circular motion, and it's easy to apply too much pressure on your dominant hand side with repeated straight strokes, thus cutting the blade out of square. With the circular motion, I never have that problem because I can more easily feel even pressure and/or naturally compensate for or correct uneven pressure with each turn. One last note.....
Shapton lapping plate versus Trend 300 - I started using your technique with the Trend, then upgraded to the Shapton lapping plate at considerable expense. It is probably a bit better, but I knocked it onto a concrete floor and put a crack in the glass back, so I'm back to the Trend and still getting great results. The Shapton may still be flat, but the crack makes me nervous. Now there is a rubber mat beneath my sharpening station. I hope my clumsy mistake is helpful to at least one of your readers.
Oh no! That story made me cring. Expensive lessen learned about the need for mats. Put a straight edge on it and see if there is a height difference. If not I would not be afraid to use it
@@RobCosmanWoodworking thanks, Rob. It looks flat against an engineer’s square so I’ll give it a try.
Thanks for the info. I really learned a lot. It was kinda funny hearing someone in the background saying "spin your stone". 7:38 😀 I would've said "I'm filming here. I think I know what I'm doing. This is a diamond stone."
And another great tutorial ! ! - This is something I’ve always made a hash of in the past, ending up with soft, rolled edges that are worse than those I started with. ( probably because I’ve never really been shown as comprehensively before) - Can I use this method to bring these back, or is there another step in the process when you’ve spoiled the edge, or should I just invest in a good honing guide to start with?
Great video - I have now bought into the system and learned a lot as always watching you teach. Thank you.
Being the first time I do this on any of my chisels and plane blades - just roughly how many chisels could I expect a stone to last (I understand the variables here, but still)??
Great video! How long to sort out the back of a new chisel?
Like the NEW apron BUT you need to put the PATCHES on it. Really like the way you teach you explain every detail.
As soon as we have our next TTH workshop I will have more patches
Hi Rob, great video, after watching this video I bought into the shapton system as I wanted to sharpen all my tools by hand, no grinder.
I purchased I think 9 stones not including the trend plate, so I got the heavy holder, the pond and the lapping plate. I went from 120 grit all the way up to 16,000 grit.
I didn't bother with the 30,000.
Il let you know how I get on
I suspect most people buying new chisels are inexperienced or new to woodworking - they just assume that like most things you buy, it is ready to use out of the box. think of buying a car, toaster or TV - they all work right out of the box.
i love that your content is educational in nature. even experienced craftsman can learn a useful nugget from almost all of your videos.
Thats our goal in making our videos
Okay, time to toss this honing jig to the side and get with this method. Great instruction, as always~! :-) Thanks, Rob~!!!
You can do it
I have just started hand sharpening after using various honing guides that never seemed to work. The results are better than any honing guide, even though I’m a hand sharpening beginner. However, there is definitely a technique to finding the bevel and raising the chisel few degrees. But it doesn’t take long. Like you had mentioned on previous sharpening videos-I used old (read cheap) chisels and old Stanley plane blades to practice on. I now sharpen multiple times during a project. Hand sharpening is so convenient. Thanks Rob!!
Sound like you are having great success. Keep up the good work. Everything is so much easier with a sharp chisel
I think it's worth noting that while some components of the Shapton system are expensive, some aren't so much. An 8000 plate will provide a pretty nice finish for less money than a 16000. A 500 plate might seem pricey compared to others of similar grit, but pretty affordable compared to other Shaptons. I started with the Trend plate and the GS 16000, but eventually added a 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000. I might spring for the lapping plate eventually, but the basic set gets my chisels and plane irons plenty sharp. The intermediate grits aren't necessary, but nice to have--and may last a long time, since I don't use them nearly as often.
I did try some other methods before springing for the Shaptons. Not a *total* waste--I still use them for other things than chisels and plane irons. Not going to waste the good stuff on a pocket knife.
I would start my flattening on the 300 grit side of that stone to save some time. But anyhow, great tutorial.
Love the videos. I just got a good set of chisels for doing Mortises, and I found that the corners of the chisels were so sharp I was cutting my hands. Do you recommend easing these corners or leave them sharp? Thanks for the teaching videos love them.
Freshly shaved, I see. Keep that boy workin! Great stuff Mr. C
Thanks! Will do!
Another awesome video. Once Im not completely broke Ill invest in some better gear/tools. For now I'll apply your lessons to my crappy tools. Lol should still improve it.
Good video as always. I prefer to sharpen by hand without jigs, because I can use the whole stone, I don’t have to move the mass of the jig, I can do some variation in the movements, like circular motion, do it with the left or right hand, not only forwards and backwards.
I check the flatness oft the stone and the backside of the chisel with a straight edge and in the end the reflection of the mirror side has to be without distortion. When I move to a finer stone, I try to avoid transmission of particles of the coarse stone, so I have less scratches to remove.
You sir are a sharpening guru !! Perfect technique
@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks for the comment. I enjoy sharpening as I love to work with sharp tools. My technique is still improving and there is always something to learn and to try out, for example different ways to hold the chisel or the blade.
Great video. I must go back though and thank you for the hockey stick tape/clamp hack. I had no idea that stuff is as sticky as it is. Thank you.
So Rob....Hand sharpening is great. But how do you do mortise chisels. Would love to see that sometime.
Hello Rob - I picked up a spoke shave at a garage sale that has both a straight blade and a curved blade (not a curved bottom but a curved blade). I wonder if you can advise the best way to sharpen it (I'm reluctant to take a round file to it as too coarse.) Thanks for any help you can provide.
Rob ,
How many times do you sharpen the chisel by hand before you regrind?
That's some pretty big bank in those stones! Shapton diamond lapper goes $375-600 alone so we're talking about an easy $1K for that and 3 glass stones!
Yep, it’s a great investment since it determines how well all the edge tools perform!
GREAT VIDEO are you using a set of magnifying glasses
Just got my IBC chisel from Rob so now I know how to get that very sharp Cosman edge.
Thanks Rob another awesome how too.
Thanks for watching
Has Narex upped the quality? Santa dropped off a set of Christmas this week (July)! When I went to use your method, I noticed the back had a mirror polish, no visible machine marks. So I took the back to my shapton 16000. Then added secondary and tertiary edge in your manner (but with jig) It is certainly sharp.
Hey Rob, thanks for the video. How often do you have to replace your stones due to the fact that you have reached the end of the abrasive material you can use ?
If you don’t have a grinder, but do have a sharpening guide, can you use the guide with the 300 side of the plate to establish the primary bevel, or will that damage the plate?
Thanks for this one, Rob. I’ve been using your plane sharpening method for a while now, so applied the same principles to my chisels... but I was missing a few important pieces of the process. I’m probably going to pick up a Shapton 6000 stone now. Keep these great videos coming!
You keep watching and commenting and we will keep filming
Grape analogy is good, but what would be better is how much pressure it takes to start crushing your grandmother’s delicate succulents. We’ve all done that. Better than popping bubble wrap. 😂
Thanks Rob for teaching me to sharpen. What is the brand of the solvent you use on the metalplate. Something like HomeRide. I tried to look it up on the internet but did not find anything. Could you tell me the formula, so I can look it up from a dealer in my country (Denmark)
Any substantial difference to prep and then sharpen mortise chisels?
Hello Bob, I watched almost all your videos about sharpening a chisel or hand planing knife. I am interested in 2 things. What is the liquid in the stone spray bottle and what is your recommendation to properly prepare and sharpen a new chisel. I don't understand English very well so nmg to find out from which granulation you go from the lowest to the highest, when you sharpen the chisel? And why do you use 2 types of stone and rub one against the other, I don't know? And how and with what is the best way to clean the stone after sharpening, so that dirt does not remain on the stone?
Well, a couple of things. I did get one of the Trend lapping plates, and for sure it is not dead flat. I also have some of the DMT lapping plates, not the sharpening stones, but actual lapping plates, up to 8000 grit, and as near as I can tell, they are pretty much dead flat. As for scratches, from the world of sanding wood, supposedly the abrasive grit scratches above 600 to 700 grit are invisible to the human eye. General advice about sanding is to step up half of the previous grit, so if you sand at 220, next grit should be about 320, 400, 600, and up. I am still new to sharpening flat work tools, but not wood lathe tools. Jumping from 1000 to 16000 is a huge jump.
1,000 to 16,000 isn’t a big jump if you consider the surface area being worked.