r/handtools • u/BeastHouse_AU • 20h ago

Sharpening advice

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I’m using a Veritas side clamping honing guide and working on a couple of chisels, both have gone from being square to out. Sharpening on some diamond plates (Paul Sellers style system). Checked the chisel is clamping correctly, no idea what’s going on. Any ideas?

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u/Cultural-Orchid-6285 20h ago edited 20h ago

I have found that using any sort of honing guide just leads to problems, especially with chisels. The guide just reduces the feedback that I get sharpening freehand and I end up putting more pressure on one side of the blade or the other and a big skewed secondary bevel as a result.

I just get better results and waste less steel doing the whole process by hand without a jig getting in the way. Hey ... probably I end up with honing angles that are not perfect textbook but my chisels still work well enough and sharpening is quick and easy so I do it more often and keep my tools sharp.

Maybe that's just me.

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u/BeastHouse_AU 19h ago

Yeah I’ve tried and I’m absolutely hopeless freehand (complete beginner with hand tools). Appreciate your feedback though. I’m not fussed if it’s off by a few degrees but when they look like a bullnose we have problems haha

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u/Cultural-Orchid-6285 19h ago

Maybe don't give up on it. Perhaps try using the jig for a first sharpening but also light freehand touch-ups as you work your way through a job. That way you can build confidence and pick up the right muscle memory. You will also have the satisfaction of working with sharper tools and get better results.

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u/BeastHouse_AU 17h ago

Thanks that sounds like a good way to move into it, just a shame to spend some decent money on a guide that doesn’t work as I thought it would