I have officicially begun my Christmas shopping and am considering a chisel sharpening system for a close woodworker friend/work colleague. Trying not to break the bank. Ideally if I can find a couple decent stone(s) + some essentials necessary to get started, in the $60 range. More or less ready to use out of the box would be great, if such a tool exists at this price point.
Oil vs Water vs Diamond? Is there a good all-around stone that would not require buying multiple grits? Where to draw the line between quick sharpening and high maintenance? I was initially sold on Japanese water stones but after reading up on the need to be flattened frequently I'm now considering other options as well. Too many questions. Too much information out there. Sharpeningsupplies.com did a good simple breakdown of the different basic types of stones but obviously they're also vested in selling certain product. I would like to get the straight dish on here, a small sample size many of who really know what they're talking about. Any recommendations?
A little relevant info on my buddy. He's a fantastic craftsman that doesn't generally splurge on fancy tools and can build or fix just about anything with whatever he's got on hand. Worked in a cabinet shop for a long time before moving over to construction. He doesn't own expensive chisels but appreciates a sharp edge and mirror finish. Occasionally still dabbles in fine woodwork but more often than not uses what I'd call workhorse tools, and his chisels will see more use in finish carpentry than hobby work. If he was buying a sharpening system I imagine he'd honestly go to Harbor Freight and get something cheap, simple and functional, and still get better results than I would using a several hundred dollar water stone. That's why I'd like to get him something a bit nicer than the HF special. To me a well chosen tool gift is something the person will get good use out of but probably wouldn't think to go out and buy him/herself. What I'm trying to get across is he's a great carpenter and woodworker that knows a good tool when he sees it, but is very selective when it comes to shelling out for pricy tools -- which he does do on occasion, most always because of functionality. Never a toy to baby and keep around for show. I don't have a lot of coin to spare and know he wouldn't want me to. But if I can get a stone or two that are relatively simple to maintain, and don't require a whole mess of accessories or vast process to use, that's it right there. All that said (and maybe somewhat contradictory to everything I've told you about this guy) I'd still like it to be a "presentable", decent looking gift. I should add he's not gonna be sharpening after every single use. But as they say, dull tools are more dangerous than sharp ones, and there've certainly been days on the job when we both would've benefitted from one of us having a decent stone around for semi regular use.
Not opposed to an electric system like the Work Sharp. But that's too rich for my blood, and I'd be happy to be proven wrong about the anything halfway respectable existing @ under $75. I realize all this is a tough set of criteria. And maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree altogether. If anyone has ideas on other good gift ideas those are welcome too.
Oil vs Water vs Diamond? Is there a good all-around stone that would not require buying multiple grits? Where to draw the line between quick sharpening and high maintenance? I was initially sold on Japanese water stones but after reading up on the need to be flattened frequently I'm now considering other options as well. Too many questions. Too much information out there. Sharpeningsupplies.com did a good simple breakdown of the different basic types of stones but obviously they're also vested in selling certain product. I would like to get the straight dish on here, a small sample size many of who really know what they're talking about. Any recommendations?
A little relevant info on my buddy. He's a fantastic craftsman that doesn't generally splurge on fancy tools and can build or fix just about anything with whatever he's got on hand. Worked in a cabinet shop for a long time before moving over to construction. He doesn't own expensive chisels but appreciates a sharp edge and mirror finish. Occasionally still dabbles in fine woodwork but more often than not uses what I'd call workhorse tools, and his chisels will see more use in finish carpentry than hobby work. If he was buying a sharpening system I imagine he'd honestly go to Harbor Freight and get something cheap, simple and functional, and still get better results than I would using a several hundred dollar water stone. That's why I'd like to get him something a bit nicer than the HF special. To me a well chosen tool gift is something the person will get good use out of but probably wouldn't think to go out and buy him/herself. What I'm trying to get across is he's a great carpenter and woodworker that knows a good tool when he sees it, but is very selective when it comes to shelling out for pricy tools -- which he does do on occasion, most always because of functionality. Never a toy to baby and keep around for show. I don't have a lot of coin to spare and know he wouldn't want me to. But if I can get a stone or two that are relatively simple to maintain, and don't require a whole mess of accessories or vast process to use, that's it right there. All that said (and maybe somewhat contradictory to everything I've told you about this guy) I'd still like it to be a "presentable", decent looking gift. I should add he's not gonna be sharpening after every single use. But as they say, dull tools are more dangerous than sharp ones, and there've certainly been days on the job when we both would've benefitted from one of us having a decent stone around for semi regular use.
Not opposed to an electric system like the Work Sharp. But that's too rich for my blood, and I'd be happy to be proven wrong about the anything halfway respectable existing @ under $75. I realize all this is a tough set of criteria. And maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree altogether. If anyone has ideas on other good gift ideas those are welcome too.