Free Hand Sharpening Basics

Course Description

For this course we will go over how to sharpen plane blades and chisels with no jigs. The course will include why this is a good approach to sharpening, review what is sharp and what happens as a blade dulls. It will continue with hands-on demos of how to sharpen without a guide using different methods, including using a grinder. There will be emphasis on body and hand position to build the  muscle memory needed to free hand sharpen. We will look at the edges under magnification and use the tools so that you can see what the cut surface looks like.

This course will be structured as a lecture which will include a demonstration/presentation followed by a Q&A session. Participants are encouraged to sharpen along with he demo and request critiques on their technique. After the main session students will have the opportunity to take what they learned and practice then meet for an optional follow up session to share their experience and ask any questions they have.