Hey everyone! As I'm gearing up to sharpen my tools for spring, I've been thinking about how I've got quite a few tools that I never fully refurbished when I got them. So, I wanted to ask the community: does anyone here do their own hollows on the backs of blades? I find the process of flattening relaxing, but with little kids around, my time is limited. I'm considering trying a rough version similar to what you'd find on Japanese chisels. I can think of a few downsides, like the potential for grinding the blade back into the hollow over the years, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!
3 Answers
I actually wouldn't recommend trying that. It's pretty easy to overdo it and end up making the tool unusable. Flattening the backs takes some time, but it's usually a one-time thing. Stick with that for less hassle!
If your blades are really out of flat, it might come in handy. But most of the time, just flattening them once is enough. Then you won’t have to worry about it again. Plus, what method are you thinking about for hollow grinding? Seems like it would require some serious tools!
I’ve tried this on a couple of chisels with a messed-up back. I used a sanding drill to get rid of the high spots quickly. But honestly, I wouldn’t do it unless absolutely necessary. Japanese chisels are laminated for a reason; when you wear down the flat edge, you can hammer the soft steel to reshape it. This doesn’t work with solid, hardened steel tools.