Hey there! I'm trying to improve my hand tool skills and restore some old Stanley hand planes I've got. I'm in the market for a sharpening guide, but it feels like the options are either very expensive like the Veritas Mk. 2 deluxe or very cheap ones that don't really perform well. I'm aiming for something that strikes a balance, helping me to get better at freehand sharpening while also being useful for my chisels, which I've had trouble sharpening. I've found a few options online and would love your input on them!
2 Answers
I'd advise sticking with freehand sharpening if you can. It’s all about practice, and having the right grits makes mid-project sharpening a breeze. Just focus on finding the right angle, which can take some time. Once you get a feel for it, those guides may become less necessary!
If you’re considering a cheap Eclipse-style guide, just make sure to spend a bit of time modifying it. It’s the one I use to establish bevels, and while I usually sharpen freehand, it works wonders on tools that are beat up. Check out this modification tutorial here: https://youtu.be/ojzzCXq5ook?si=wsKay8uMTICEw8lZ . Good luck!
That’s solid advice, definitely something I want to get better at! I’m kind of hesitant because the old Stanley irons are in rough shape, so I was thinking a guide would help me set a good angle. But I appreciate the perspective!