Explain how to sharpen a curved blade on a scraper or hand plane.
Michael Dresdner: Scrapers are sharpened the same way as flat ones make sure the edge forms a crisp right angle to the sides, then burnish the edge before turning it over. Blades are a different story. Start with a flat backas alwaysand hone the bevel by sliding it across the stone while simultaneously sweeping it through its curve. It sounds harder than it is. The key is nice smooth strokes. Can’t manage it? Here’s a trick that might work for you. Make up a sharpening block from very hard wood (rock maple, boxwood). Cut an inside curve that corresponds to the curve you’d need to sharpen the blade. Make sure the wood block is completely smooth. With spray adhesive (such as 3m 77) line the block with a piece of sandpaper. Make one for each grit you plan to use. A good sequence is 320, 400, 600and finer if you care to. Now you have a “scary sharp” system specifically for that curved blade.
