Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

[Greyhair]

??? I have a set of the Flex-cut micro carving tools. When they were new they cut extremely well but I have not found anyway to sharpen these micro tools especially the gouges. Does anyone have a method to get these micro gouges sharp again.

[santacarver]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Hi,

I use the Flexcut 'Slip Strop' that has all the profiles and the yellow compound to sharpen mine. Works quite well. I think it cost me about $10 and it included the compound. Other than that, I can only add to be very careful and take your time. I also use my magifier light to look at them after I sharpen them to look for any 'flaws'.

[Kenny_S]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

WoodCraft stores have the Flexcut 'Slip Strop' and the yellowstone compound. The 'slip strop' is around $10. Great strop for the micros.

[Guest]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Thanks for the help.
Don

[Thomp]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Just a stupid question,

as ill probaly never be in a store that has the Flex-cut micro carving tools, where i could inspect them myself,
please answer me a question about the construction, as to it being flexable ?

or is the tool so small it has more flexability as to the tight places it can get into?

[Donna_T]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Thomp,
Flexcut is so called because the shaft of their blades 'flex' or give anywhere from slightly--to quite a bit for their bigger/longer tools. It allows you to get into some nooks and crannies that traditional steel carving tools can't because they don't bend. In some cases, you can press down in the middle of the shaft, while pushing/levering with the handle to get some extra depth or if turned on its side, a corner.

I have different sizes/shapes of stones to aid in sharpening shaped tools, but I have the best luck with the multi-shaped Flex cut strop that has already been mentioned. I think I ordered mine from Woodcraft Supply in Bettendorf, IA, but perhaps Rick carries it.

Is that what you meant with your question?

Donna T

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

and if none of that works....send them to Rick....he will sharpen them and not break your budget!

[whittlinwit]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

I will be the first to admit the flexcut micro tools and the flexcut 30 deg. V-tool are a pain to sharpen.

Any fine sharpening operation requires magnification to be accomplished accurately by hand.

[jerry_k]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Rick,
When you say that any fine sharpening operation needs magnification, is that so you can see something happening or not happening on the blade, or is it so you can see what you are doing with the blade during the sharpening operation?

Jerry, Hartwell, GA

[whittlinwit]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Both really, especially on V-tools.

[greyhair]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Rick
What do you recommend for magnification?

[whittlinwit]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

I use a light with a 6' magnifying glass in the center; I bought mine at Woodcraft and it wasn't cheap.

[Thomp]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Thanks for the replys, and sorry in not returning to reply sooner, but had a secondary hard drive crash, it wasent a major thing except im still whyning about loosing all my booked mark favorites and collections of carving photos, patterns ect..

waah.....

back on topic..
i just could'nt see any benifit in having a floppy piece of sharper than razor steel, aimed at your palm.... but now i could see where a flexable cutting tool would get into tight places like crotches and the backside of items the carature s are holding.

thanks

[greyhair]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

I really like the micro tools for caricatures and for adding detail to a previous cut. For example, I take a 1/4'' V gouge and accent that cut by using a micro U or V gouge inside the cut to give it some depth or charachter like in hair/beard or even to show a small wrinkle inside a larger wrinkle. Keeping them sharp however is a real major pain.

[Nancy_G]

Re: Sharpening Flex-Cut Micro tools

Greyhair - your carvings are so smooth, so delicate, so GORGEOUS, I find it hard to believe you have a problem sharpening. Maybe you just need more practice ?? Come on down to my house