woodnthings

I used various size steels, up to 16" x 3", in the clay modeling work when I was an automotive sculptor/designer. This jig was attached to my tool box and the steels were immediatedly square edged and sharp. It keeps the edge at a perfect 90 degrees, ready for burnishing with a hardened round burnisher or a screwdriver handle, either will work. We didn't burnish the edge, since the clay is softer than wood. The jig is made in 2 parts, the vertical and the horizontal which has a rabbet the size of the mill file, minus a touch, to provide clamping pressure with the through bolts. bill

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If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

Gene Howe

I watched a utube video where the fellow showed how to sharpen without turning the edges. He just used a mill bastard in a jig sort of like you describe. Only his was turned up so he bore down on the file. Went directly to the wood with it and it worked great. I tried the same thing and found it was quit satisfactory. Four trips down the file per edge and it's done! Get's dull a little quicker, I think. But the time saved by not turning the edge made up for the slightly more frequent trips to the file.
Gene

MuseumWood

There are many burnishers on the market, but the rounded surface of a gouge works great. Just use a very dull one or be very mindful of what you do! It only takes a few strokes increasing the angle from 0 to about 15 degrees. You can actually do all four edges on both sides and slice lace-like shavings until your thumbs are well-done and screaming! The burr can be re-done several times before you have to re-file.