Show me your sharp

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I see so many threads on sharpening, all of which have 100 different opinions on how to sharpen something. How about we have a little friendly competition to see who can sharpen the best. There will be three categories: Planes, Saws, and Other Tools.

Planes will be judged on thickness of shaving. You must post a picture of the shaving captive in a micrometer reading actual thickness of the shaving, and also an image showing that the shaving is at least 12" (one foot) long and fully intact. Contest only open to hand planes- no electronic-powered planes will be considered. Any ties in thickness will be broken by a judgement of the length and smoothness of the shaving itself. Ties will be judged solely by me. I reserve the right to judge solely on my own opinion and not actual fact. Whether or not I had coffee the morning of judging may impact my ability to make a logical decision, but you must agree to accept it.

Saws will be judged on smoothness of finished cut. Post a picture of the piece cut, and the saw with which you cut it. (Yes, I know that this will favor saws with fewer teeth, but I need to keep the competition simple.) Contest is only open to hand saws- no electronic-powered saws will be considered. Judgement will be made by members and is subject to absolutely erroneous misinterpretation of how smooth your cut really is, even if the picture clearly shows that yours is the smoothest, because you know somehow that's going to happen, so I might as well include it in the rules up front. There will be two categories: Rip and Crosscut. Any use of a shooting board/plane, or other plane to smooth the edge will result in immediate disqualification. Only the raw cut from the saw will be acceptable for judging.

Other Tools will be judged on photographic evidence presented by the sharpener of how this tool performs better with your method of sharpening. Contest is only open to hand tools. no electronic-powered tools will be considered. As above, judgement is open to members and is subject to their ideas of what is sharp and what's not, whether or not their ideas are accurate or factually based, or whether or not they even know how to sharpen said tool. (*Again, you know it will happen, so I'm including it in the rules.)

NOTE: All entries must include a description of how you sharpened, including specifics of sharpening method, type of medium used, grits, bevel angle, use of secondary bevels (if any), use or non-use of the "ruler trick", and any other pertinent information on your sharpening method. Although this contest is only open to hand tools, it is acceptable to use powered tools during the sharpening of said hand tools.

The prize will be bragging rights. No monetary or physical prizes will be awarded.

This contest is solely for the entertainment of the participants and viewers. Void where prohibited, but if sharpening tools and/or entering contests is prohibited where you live, you really need to reconsider where you chose to live. Children under the age of 18 must have approval from their parent or legal guardian. Photos must be your own and must depict tools that you yourself sharpened. Any heated discussions about the "ruler trick" or the true grit of Lee Valley's green chromium oxide will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Use of steroids, blood oxygen boosters, or other performance-enhancing drugs will result in immediate disqualification. Use of any metals or sharpening mediums not found on planet earth will also result in immediate disqualification- because you never know with you guys. All participants are subject to drug testing, which should be interesting, and probably will explain a lot of things about these sharpening threads. Contest may be cancelled at any time and for any reason without notice. Any use of the words "you su--" (rhymes with "new duck") will result in immediate disqualification. There is no fee for entry into this contest, but contestants are more than welcome to send money to my PayPal address. Any discussion of saw nibs, their use, and/or their reason for existence will result in immediate disqualification. Contest ends whenever I feel it should end, or it may never end, much like other sharpening discussions.

So- who's the sharpest of the sharp?

[Kees Heiden]

Ha ha this is really funny! I am in a skiing resort right now, but will my entry still be valid next week or so?

[Phil Mueller]

Clarification, please. Does the saw category include hand miter saws/miter box cuts?

[Jim Koepke]

Use of steroids, blood oxygen boosters, or other performance-enhancing drugs will result in immediate disqualification.

Is beer considered a "performance-enhancing drug"?

355079

I didn't take a picture of the length of this one. Does that mean another one has to be done for proper entry?

The plane is a Stanley/Bailey #4 type 6 with a type 11 blade.

The blade was sharpened free hand on a Norton 1000, King 4000 and a Norton 8000 stone. The stones may or may not have been recently rubbed over some abrasive sheet. The blade was then stropped before returning to service.

The sharpening was a single bevel without a back bevel. Some who have seen an image of the back of the blade suggest it may have been dubbed a bit.

It worked, which is about all that really matters to me.

jtk

[lowell holmes]

You need to specify the specie of wood to plane. Soft white pine gives much more continuous translucent shavings than red oak.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Ha ha this is really funny! I am in a skiing resort right now, but will my entry still be valid next week or so?

Certainly, but I may take off points since you're having fun while the rest of us are working.


Clarification, please. Does the saw category include hand miter saws/miter box cuts?

Absolutely- any hand saw cut is acceptable.


Is beer considered a "performance-enhancing drug"?

355079

I didn't take a picture of the length of this one. Does that mean another one has to be done for proper entry?

The plane is a Stanley/Bailey #4 type 6 with a type 11 blade.

The blade was sharpened free hand on a Norton 1000, King 4000 and a Norton 8000 stone. The stones may or may not have been recently rubbed over some abrasive sheet. The blade was then stropped before returning to service.

The sharpening was a single bevel without a back bevel. Some who have seen an image of the back of the blade suggest it may have been dubbed a bit.

It worked, which is about all that really matters to me.

jtk


Rules are rules- it has to be a minimum of 12" with proof, but you're off to a great start there. Beer is not a performance enhancing drug, as I have proven on many occasions.


You need to specify the specie of wood to plane. Soft white pine gives much more continuous translucent shavings than red oak.

Species of wood is up to the entrant. I did consider this, and I believe that knowledge is part of the skill of the entrant, and therefore it is fair play.

[Alan Rutherford]

We call this the scimitar but others might say it's a grass hook. I Hope it's eligible for the "Other Tools" category. I seldom use it in the workshop or in the kitchen except to show off and not to shave my arm any more since my wife put her foot down about that, which was probably a good thing. However, it works very well outside on our ungroomed 2 acres where it clears vines and brush better than a machete up to its single-blow limit. It doesn't chop well. The scabbard was an absolute necessity - this thing is deadly when it's loose.

I originally sharpened it with an assortment of files (flat, round and chainsaw) and wet-or-dry sandpaper in several grits and on various backings. The curve was a real challenge. I'm sure I used more things but it's been a while. For this contest, I took a good look at the accumulated crud which had not been cleaned since the last time it was used several months ago and decided I wasn't going to work that hard. I touched it up for about 10 seconds on a polishing wheel (my "secret weapon" sharpening tool) before slicing the vegetables. The vegetables were at refigerator temperature - they were not frozen - and I think that should be a requirement for any similar entries.

355092

[Phil Mueller]

Disston miter saw. 11ppi.

355097 355098

[Marty Schlosser]

Although I like the idea of such an exercise, I can't see how one could set it up so it's an "apples to apples" comparison. There are far too many variables, which can't be easily validated.

I was almost jokingly thinking of submitting a photo of me mic'ing a handplaned shaving, but one where I'd cut a hole where the micrometer pins go! Why, I'll just bet I could beat everyone... thereby proving I'm the sneakiest submitter!

[Pat Barry]

Although I like the idea of such an exercise, I can't see how one could set it up so it's an "apples to apples" comparison. There are far too many variables, which can't be easily validated.

I was almost jokingly thinking of submitting a photo of me mic'ing a handplaned shaving, but one where I'd cut a hole where the micrometer pins go! Why, I'll just bet I could beat everyone... thereby proving I'm the sneakiest submitter!
I can set zero wherever I want with my digital caliper.

[David Eisenhauer]

Marty - Malcolm is the only variable to consider here. He has already stated "his ball, his rules". I would send him some Jamiaca Blue Mountain or whatever is considered good-gooder-best right now to start softening up the only true variable.

[Dave Zellers]

I win! 23 inches long and only 11/16" thick!
355107
355108

Obviously I need more sharpening threads. :confused:

[Malcolm McLeod]

I win! 23 inches long and only 11/16" thick!

Obviously I need more sharpening threads. :confused:

Not so fast! My entry:
355109
12-1/4" long piece of scrap beech: 0.0005" thick x 12+"L. x 2"W. w/ L-N #4-1/2 fresh off a dose of sharp. Notice the near perfect transparency of the shaving. It positively glints in the light with the polished surface.

Sharpened on the shop floor (mason really worked hard to pull the portland 'cream' to the top). I flatten it periodically with a P265/30-R20. Free-hand, blindfolded - - sort of by sense of smell, as much as feel. No ruler trick. ... But I did use a Veritas mk.II jig. Once.

[David Eisenhauer]

Wow that jumped you way up to the top of the heap Malcom. Was the shop floor swept prior to the sharpening? If so, was it a hog bristle or nylon bristle broom? What size are the granules of the Portland cream?

[Derek Cohen]

Here are a couple of pics from the past. No measurements :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Planes/Mujingfang1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Planes/Marcou%20S15/Smoothing1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Planes/Lie%20Nielsen/2_zpspe3wkyyk.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/WoodworkTechniques/Thick%20verses%20thin%20112%20Scraper%20Plane%20bl ades_html_m1531a516.jpg (http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Articles/Stanley%20112%20Thick%20vs%20Thin%20blades/112LNTasOakshaving1.jpg)




http://www.inthewoodshop.com/WoodworkTechniques/Thick%20verses%20thin%20112%20Scraper%20Plane%20bl ades_html_m10de3756.jpg (http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Articles/Stanley%20112%20Thick%20vs%20Thin%20blades/112LNTasOaklongshaving1.jpg)



Regards from Perth

Derek :)

[Sergey Petrov]

The auricle says, a lot of shavings are going to get squashed real tight in micrometer jaws this month:)

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Although I like the idea of such an exercise, I can't see how one could set it up so it's an "apples to apples" comparison. There are far too many variables, which can't be easily validated.

I was almost jokingly thinking of submitting a photo of me mic'ing a handplaned shaving, but one where I'd cut a hole where the micrometer pins go! Why, I'll just bet I could beat everyone... thereby proving I'm the sneakiest submitter!

I will never again trust you.


I can set zero wherever I want with my digital caliper.

...or you.


Marty - Malcolm is the only variable to consider here. He has already stated "his ball, his rules". I would send him some Jamiaca Blue Mountain or whatever is considered good-gooder-best right now to start softening up the only true variable.

I prefer Costa Rican, but I like the way you think. Do you need my PayPal address? Just asking.



...Obviously I need more sharpening threads. :confused:

2,513,732 sharpening threads and you need more?


Not so fast! My entry:
355109
12-1/4" long piece of scrap beech: 0.0005" thick x 12+"L. x 2"W. w/ L-N #4-1/2 fresh off a dose of sharp. Notice the near perfect transparency of the shaving. It positively glints in the light with the polished surface.

Sharpened on the shop floor (mason really worked hard to pull the portland 'cream' to the top). I flatten it periodically with a P265/30-R20. Free-hand, blindfolded - - sort of by sense of smell, as much as feel. No ruler trick. ... But I did use a Veritas mk.II jig. Once.

I laughed at this one, and then I cried because all faith in humanity is now lost. Please report to the drug testing lab immediately.


The auricle says, a lot of shavings are going to get squashed real tight in micrometer jaws this month:)

I will never buy a used car from anyone on this forum- just saying.

[Malcolm McLeod]

Wow that jumped you way up to the top of the heap Malcom. Was the shop floor swept prior to the sharpening? If so, was it a hog bristle or nylon bristle broom? What size are the granules of the Portland cream?

I always sweep before sharpening, and only with a small sable makeup brush (it does take a day or so). I sent a sample in for SEM analysis, but apparently my floor is too fine to quantify.

Also, forgot to add that I did let my pet coyote lick the blade a couple of times; seems to be adequate stropping. (Please don't call the ASPCA or the USVISPCA. He's a native Texas coyote and is used to all things sharp and poisonous.)



.
.
I laughed at this one, and then I cried because all faith in humanity is now lost. Please report to the drug testing lab immediately.
.
.


There is no certified lab nearby, so in the spirit of fair play I've directly submitted a sample for testing. Watch for a bottle marked "Lagavulin 25-yr".

[Brian Holcombe]

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/img_6049.jpg

To everyone;

....Best of luck next year! :p

[Jim Koepke]

To everyone;

....Best of luck next year! :p

So where is the image of the shaving in the micrometer?

BTW, some might say the wrinkly look to the shaving means your chip breaker is a tad too close to the edge.

jtk

[Stew Hagerty]

OK, so they're not quite as long as specified. I would have needed 12,000 of them to reach the 12" mark and my arm was getting tired.

355144 355145

Sharpened with a Golden Eye Laser, Part Number 1995.007

[Mike Allen1010]

There is no certified lab nearby, so in the spirit of fair play I've directly submitted a sample for testing. Watch for a bottle marked "Lagavulin 25-yr".

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________________

Malcolm M., I cry foul fine sir! Your so called "drug testing sample" is a clear violation of the emoluments clause in the SMC Constitution. Err – OK… more like a "smoky brown", delicious violation.


Knowing the OP Malcolm S., to be a widely respected Neander of the highest character and ethical standards, I fully expect him to disqualify your sample and immediately send it to me for proper evaluation.


Cheers, Mike


Emolument: nounformal,
plural noun: emoluments. A salary, fee, or profit from employment or office. "The directors' emoluments".


synonyms:
salary (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+salary&forcedict=salary&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHTAA), pay (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+pay&forcedict=pay&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHjAA), payment (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+payment&forcedict=payment&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHzAA), wage(s), earnings (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+earnings&forcedict=earnings&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIDAA), allowance (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+allowance&forcedict=allowance&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIITAA), stipend (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+stipend&forcedict=stipend&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIjAA), honorarium (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+honorarium&forcedict=honorarium&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIzAA), reward (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+reward&forcedict=reward&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIJDAA), premium (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+premium&forcedict=premium&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIJTAA);

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Nice work, Brian. Mic that and you may be in the lead, pending the outcome of Malcolm's drug test and highly suspicious Saran Wrap shaving.

Malcolm, are you saying you pee 25 yo scotch? That's either impressive or disgusting- I have not decided yet which, but I do have a few friends here who probably pee at least 80 proof rum.

Stew, you get points for end grain cuts. That's bold and thinking outside the box.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

There is no certified lab nearby, so in the spirit of fair play I've directly submitted a sample for testing. Watch for a bottle marked "Lagavulin 25-yr"._________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________________

Malcolm M., I cry foul fine sir! Your so called "drug testing sample" is a clear violation of the emoluments clause in the SMC Constitution. Err – OK… more like a "smoky brown", delicious violation.


Knowing the OP Malcolm S., to be a widely respected Neander of the highest character and ethical standards, I fully expect him to disqualify your sample and immediately send it to me for proper evaluation.


Cheers, Mike


Emolument: nounformal,
plural noun: emoluments. A salary, fee, or profit from employment or office. "The directors' emoluments".


synonyms:
salary (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+salary&forcedict=salary&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHTAA), pay (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+pay&forcedict=pay&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHjAA), payment (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+payment&forcedict=payment&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIHzAA), wage(s), earnings (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+earnings&forcedict=earnings&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIDAA), allowance (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+allowance&forcedict=allowance&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIITAA), stipend (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+stipend&forcedict=stipend&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIjAA), honorarium (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+honorarium&forcedict=honorarium&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIIzAA), reward (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+reward&forcedict=reward&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIJDAA), premium (https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS610US610&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=946&q=define+premium&forcedict=premium&ved=0ahUKEwiYh6P28bXSAhUU4mMKHS2ACOIQ_SoIJTAA);









I will certainly dispose of it properly. Nothing to see here, folks...

[Mike Allen1010]

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/img_6049.jpg

To everyone;

....Best of luck next year! :p


Brian, I say your submission is a little too impressive:D!

In the spirit of incorporating a "level playing field" (similar to the local golf club championship), card-carrying experts like Brian and Derek should be required to incorporate some kind of "handicap" into their score to give hacks like me a chance. Accordingly, I suggest experts must take their shavings against the grain :rolleyes:!

Then again, probably wouldn't be much of a handicap for those guys.


Cheers, Mike

[Bruce Haugen]

This has been posted on SMC before, but it's worthy of inclusion here. I don't think a measurement was taken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c0d2ASiycg

[Malcolm McLeod]

Before this derails completely, 2 things:

1. Mr. Schweizer offered a unique and humorous opportunity to showcase our results, rather than argue about how we got there. I hope everyone was induced to smile by my attempt at 'sharp' humor. FWIW, I was in the room with a sharp tool once, and someday hope to do so again, and maybe even become proficient. Time will tell.

2. Please don't let me divert others from contributing. I am out of one-liners, FEDEX has informed me the scotch evaporated in transit, and so, I will shut-up and be humbled by the keenness of your edges.

----
Tho' I do have a back-up bottle - - so drop by, have a wee dram, and we'll tell more lies!!

[Jim Koepke]

so drop by, have a wee dram, and we'll tell more lies!!

Maybe the next time I am in Texas.

jtk

[Allen Jordan]

Since we're posting neat pictures of shavings:

http://i.imgur.com/FMhKYjV.jpg

This is from walnut. I didn't measure the thickness at the time, sadly. Shapton pro 15k stone for the honing.

[Brian Holcombe]

[/I]


Brian, I say your submission is a little too impressive:D!

In the spirit of incorporating a "level playing field" (similar to the local golf club championship), card-carrying experts like Brian and Derek should be required to incorporate some kind of "handicap" into their score to give hacks like me a chance. Accordingly, I suggest experts must take their shavings against the grain :rolleyes:!

Then again, probably wouldn't be much of a handicap for those guys.


Cheers, Mike

Well, it's vertical grain lumber so...,sure I'll take a shaving against the grain, :)

Thanks Mike!


Nice work, Brian. Mic that and you may be in the lead, pending the outcome of Malcolm's drug test and highly suspicious Saran Wrap shaving.

Malcolm, are you saying you pee 25 yo scotch? That's either impressive or disgusting- I have not decided yet which, but I do have a few friends here who probably pee at least 80 proof rum.

Stew, you get points for end grain cuts. That's bold and thinking outside the box.

I have a tough time getting the mic to measure a shaving under 20 micron with any success. Mine rotates as it clamps. Best reading I could get was 18 micron but my guess is that it's more like 10~ micron being that it's turning into a spider web in many areas.

[Ray Bohn]

Since we're posting neat pictures of shavings:

http://i.imgur.com/FMhKYjV.jpg

This is from walnut. I didn't measure the thickness at the time, sadly. Shapton pro 15k stone for the honing.

You should request some sort of compensation for the increase in sales for Shapton 15K.

[Brian Holcombe]

Since we're posting neat pictures of shavings:

http://i.imgur.com/FMhKYjV.jpg

This is from walnut. I didn't measure the thickness at the time, sadly. Shapton pro 15k stone for the honing.

Since this is a friendly "competition" I hope that you do not mind my suggestions;

Nice an thin shaving, but you may want to revisit that stone. The shaving is splitting at many locations suggesting that the edge has micro serrations. You may also simply want to spend more time on the 15k stone after you go through your progression.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I should mention that this originally was going to be a $50 prize, but this being the Internet, I was worried about all the legalities of offering prize money without a lot of legal rules. I wasn't sure if it would be against the forum policies, rules of engagement, and what-not, so it became a friendly competition. Please feel free to post pics, whether or not you own a micrometer. Although it may not be judged a winner, it could earn an honorable mention.

Please se also keep the good humor going. Malcolm's post cracked me up.

[Brian Holcombe]

Here is a sharp chisel;



https://youtu.be/SGz3znOn9sc

[Don Orr]

Here is a sharp chisel;



https://youtu.be/SGz3znOn9sc

The glare from the polish is blinding ! In a good way.:)

[Don Orr]

355223355218355219355220Here is my latest saw rehab. Lots of plane shavings, not many saw cuts. This is a Pennsylvania Saw Corp. #400 buck saw that I got very cheaply at a used tool booth at a woodworking show a couple of months ago. I cleaned it up and sharpened it using the USDA Forest Service "Crosscut Saw Manual" found here https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf77712508/pdf77712508dpi72.pdf . I used standard saw sharpening tools such as a saw vise, flat mill file, triangular file, swagging hammer, and diamond hone to stone the teeth. I take care of some XC ski trails in local state forest and there was a tree down across the trail that the local forester did not get to and he won't let me use a chain saw on the property so this saw was perfect for the job. The saw cut was clean and some of the chips were even nice long "noodles" as they should be, indicating that at least some of the cutters and rakers were properly shaped and set. The 16" Maple log took about 5 minutes to cut through. A video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVU-N_kxVsw . This saw did a very nice job as you can see from the cut end of the tree. I hope this fits the challenge Malcolm. It's a 42" saw and working on these large teeth was quite a pleasure compared to tiny little dovetail saws. I didn't even have to use any magnification.

[Nicholas Lawrence]

Don, that is fantastic.

[Jim Koepke]

That is what I am looking for as my next saw. It would come in handy when I don't feel like hauling the chain saw around.

jtk

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Very impressive, don, and that cut is smooth for the TPI on that saw.

[Phil Mueller]

Nice Don. Well done. Makes me exhausted just watching, but great job on that saw. Hope there was a cold one sitting just off camera.

[Allen Jordan]

Since this is a friendly "competition" I hope that you do not mind my suggestions;

Nice an thin shaving, but you may want to revisit that stone. The shaving is splitting at many locations suggesting that the edge has micro serrations. You may also simply want to spend more time on the 15k stone after you go through your progression.

You might be right. That wasn't the first shaving after honing though, and as an A2 blade at 25 deg there could be some micro fracturing of carbides at the edge. It's also slightly cambered so the edges feather a little... and walnut is pretty porous and shavings don't like to stay together. Or maybe I need to spend some more time on the stone. I'll try next time and see, thanks.

[Paul Phillis]

Hi Jim is your micrometer in mm or thous?

[Jim Koepke]

Hi Jim is your micrometer in mm or thous?

Hi Paul,

it measures down to ten thousandths of an inch.

355297

The numbers on the right indicate thousandths of an inch. The line at the bottom left is the reference. It is reading between 0 and 1. The scale on the left is a vernier scale of ten thousandths of an inch. When a line from the scale on the right lines up with a line on the left, that is the reading. In this case if the shaving was a touch thinner, the line for the two on the right would line up with the line by the two on the left meaning the shaving was two, ten thousandths of an inch thick - 0.0002". It is only coincidental that in this case both lines are at 2. If it was a touch fatter the threes would have lined up for 0.0003". Being between those two makes me consider 0.00025" as a reasonable guess.

jtk

[Paul Phillis]

Thanks Jim. That makes sense. It's given me a good idea how thin your shavings are. This thread is timely as I'm just fine tuning an old Moseley coffin plane and the best shavings are 0.04 mm or about 1.6 thou.

[Jim Koepke]

Thanks Jim. That makes sense. It's given me a good idea how thin your shavings are. This thread is timely as I'm just fine tuning an old Moseley coffin plane and the best shavings are 0.04 mm or about 1.6 thou.

There are a few factors in the making of a thin shaving. Sharpness of the cutting edge is only one. The material being planed is another. Pine is usually pretty good about giving a good continuous shaving. There is also the body of the plane. The sole has to have an almost perfect plane at the area around the mouth and near the toe and heel.

A coffin plane would be a real challenge as one would have to also be adept at getting the plane set with only a hammer to adjust the blade.

Super thin shavings are a good test of a blades sharpness and the condition of the plane's body.

A recent visit to another woodworker's shop exposed one of his planes to having a concave sole. It could take a thin cut if the body was pressed above the mouth, but as soon as the pressure was released it would stop cutting. He has a machinist friend who took care of the sole and it is now a very good and usable plane without having to press over the mouth.

jtk

[Normand Leblanc]

Hi Don,
I also like to use those long saws. The one I use now was bought in new condition even if it is old. For sharpening I've use the same USDA instructions as you did.
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[Don Orr]

Very nice Normand-nice curly shavings!

[Mike Allen1010]

Since we're posting neat pictures of shavings:

http://i.imgur.com/FMhKYjV.jpg

This is from walnut. I didn't measure the thickness at the time, sadly. Shapton pro 15k stone for the honing.

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Allen, IMHO - exceptionally impressive! Thanks for posting pics.


I've been a hand tool woodworker for 30 years and the only thing I'm reasonably sure of is; I 'm no expert in anything. That said, on my very best day it takes me 20" of sharpening, sole flattening, blade adjusting, eyeglass adjustment, etc. to get remotely close to producing a see-through, full width shaving s like yours. I say very well done!


Thankfully, Malcolm has courageously (and might I say heroically) volunteered to take responsibility for evaluating submissions to the shaving competition. If you're up to me, I'd say – go to the head of of the class!


Cheers, Mike