Sharpening Kit

[Captain_Bandaid]

While in Colorado Springs last week, I visited the Woodcraft store and found a new gadget from Flexcut. It is a small block with gouge and chisel profiles in it. It also has two surfaces covered with leather. Included is a small block of a polishing compound to use withe the block. It sold for $10 so I tried it. The stuff works so well, I went back and bought a larger stick of the the compound. I have always found it diffucult to get the inside edges of my tools properly stropped and this little gadget used with the Flexcut Gold compound works very well.

[Guest]

Re: Sharpening Kit

I know which one you are talking about, I bought one at a carving show in Fort Collins....and you're right it is easier!

[colin_partridge]

Re: Sharpening Kit

Captain,
I brought the same kit about a month ago great invention especially for the flexcut gouges for the reciprocating carver.
I also agree that yellow compound is great as well.
Colin

[clifford_parker]

Re: Sharpening Kit

Captain,

The flexcut block/kit was my first and only 'purchased strop' and I LOVE flexcut gold as a finishing compound!

Good whittlin, Cliff

[Saturno10]

[Callynne]

Re: Sharpening Kit

I have the Flexcut strop thing too, I love it, really does a nice job on my tools! Wouldn't be without my 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper either! Sharp tools really do make a huge difference, thank goodness for everything that helps make and keep them that way! Callynne

[arizonapapa]

Re: Sharpening Kit

i like to use the OAR sharpening guide to keep the same angle all the way through the stroke. i use it on the oil stone and also the 2000 grit wet/dry . I then follow it up with the flexcut block with the gold compound applied. it works great!!
one caution though, don't get the gold compound on any of your clothing because it will stain it and take forever to get it out.

papa

[Kenny_S]

Re: Sharpening Kit

I went to the Tulsa Ok Woodcraft store but they did not have one. Got the Woodcraft cat and I will be ordering one.
Thanks for the info.

Safety first, then Enjoy Carving,

Kenny S

[Captain_Bandaid]

Re: Sharpening Kit

AzPaPa, I warned you about stropping your knives on your blue jeans, now didn't I?

While in Colorado, I decided it was a good idea to find a piece of thick leather to put over my knee when I am free carving. I went to a boot and saddle repair shop and asked if they had any remnants for sale (do not ask for free scraps. There is no such thing). He found me a piece of Mule Hide he took off of a farriers apron. I asked how much and he said I could have it for free if I just got it out of his shop. Ok, it is really ugly and worn but it has a lot of character. And yes, you can get a free piece of leather, just don't ask for it.

[Captain_Bandaid]

Re: Sharpening Kit

Today I made a strop just for the Flexcut gold compound. The Butz strop is nice but cost around $30! I cut out a piece of 1/2' thick poplar hobby wood I bought at Lowes for about $4. Used the old bandsaw to cut a piece 2' x 14', including the handle, glued a piece of suede (I got it in a grab bag of leather pieces at Michaels for $6) onto the wood and I have a nice strop for a LOT less than the Woodcraft price.

I am finally in the painting stage of my latest relief carving. It is an old blacksmith shop in NY State. When I finish it, I am swapping it for a hand-forged blacksmith hammer made by the smith who runs the shop. Works for me!

[muffy]

Re: Sharpening Kit

Ive been thinking of buying an OAR sharpining unit for awhile.I havnt seen much of a writeup on the thing.My question to anyone would be,Do you screw the bolt like thing onto the wooden handle or the metal blade. About the yellow compound staining things, I have had that compound stain a few items myself. Ive tryed bleach,rubbing compound ,just plain soap & water, & anything else i could think of , but cant remove the stuff. So fellow carvers , Beware , It does STAIN.

[arizonapapa]

Re: Sharpening Kit

the oar sharpener is designed to be screwed down to the metal shank. in order to get the correct angle you are striving for you either move it closer to the handle or closer to the blade.
I was able to get the stain out of my bluejeans from the yellow compound.........it only took 4 months of washing them!!

Captain, i no longer use my jeans for stropping.....i use my wifes!!!!!!

[Guest]

Re: Sharpening Kit

I bought the OAR sharpener recently and you have to experiement to find the exact spot needed to duplicate the bevel angle. I have some of the shorter length gouges and it required clamping about 1.5 inches on the handle to get the right angle. The longer tools I could clamp on the steel.
I have a full lenght #4 V tool but I had difficulty clamping on the 'wings' of the tool as instructed. The side screws seem designed for a V tool with much larger 'wings', probably more like a .5 inch 'wing' would clamp okay. Therefore, I clamped this tool on the handle.
I also bought the flexcut stropping board as mentioned in other posts. Do you think the gold compound is better than yellowstone for stropping? Seems like I read that yellowstone had a smaller grit than the gold compound.

[plain_ol_ed]

Re: Sharpening Kit

r.e. yellowston vs flexcut gold ... I used flexcut gold until I got a stick of yellowstone. Prefer the yellowstone. Don't know if it's finer or not, just that I like it better. It's probably one of those deals like girl friends and wives (or boy friends and husbands). You like what you like.

[Captain_Bandaid]

Re: Sharpening Kit

Plain Old Ed, it is strange but I just switched from Yellowstone to Flexcut Gold! Yes, yellowstone seems to be finer but it takes longer to properly abrade the edge. I actually use several compounds and strops depending on how bad the edge is. Silicon Carbide is VERY agressive and works fast, Triploli is less agressive, Flex cut Gold is next, and Yellowstone is least agressive. After stoning an edge, you can use strop compounds like finer grits of sandpaper to get a polished edge. If you are really serious, consider using an 8000 grit waterstone to get a mirror finish.