I'm looking for some advice on sharpening techniques for my draw knife. It has a few small nicks in the blade that leave marks on the wood when I use it. I've heard some mixed opinions about using a belt sander for this, and I'm uncertain if that's the right move. Can anyone share their thoughts or experiences?
1 Answer
Using a belt sander is probably not the best idea for a draw knife. You could end up removing way more material than intended, and it's super easy to overheat the blade, which can ruin its temper. I'd suggest sticking with a coarse whetstone instead. If it’s for rough work, starting with 220 grit and then moving to 400 grit will give you a nice finish without dangerous mistakes.
So just using a stone is good then? I have some DMT stones at 300, 600, and 1000 grit. I find it a bit intimidating compared to sharpening a smaller knife. I use my draw knife for everything, especially detailing my spoon handles.