Sharpening Japanese Chisels in 2023
I am newly motivated to sharpen my hand tools, something I neglected. Many years ago, I purchased Japanese chisels from Japan Woodworker. Not Tasai etc. I just purchased a sharpening book last week, and today attended a sharpening class at Woodcraft. I brought one of my chisels in. The method was to use a Shapton 500 vs 1000 waterstone, flattened with a Shapton lapping plate on the back. That did not work out so well as my tool back was so far from flat. Therefore, a diamond stone was suggested, then back to the 500 then 1,000 waterstones. As a slurry would build up, I was told to spray it off. After an incredible amount of time, it seemed to be evenly flat. Then on to 8,000 as the instructor said no need for anything in between, different than what my gook suggested and now I sand wood. It became fairly shiny but I would not call it a mirror. Then on to the bevel with. It suggested no jig to use to maintain the proper angle. A microbevel was suggested as a good option but not for sure needed.
After class, I was looking up some videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdCW3_9c_Jg&t=603s
In this one, a metal plate called a Kanaban is used, and the waterstones are rubbed on the flat metal plate to transfer some of the material from the waterstone. Then the back of the chisel is rubbed on the Kanaban because you use the slurry to sharpen.'
Then in this video, it is suggested that you buy surface compound to apply the abrasive material to the Kanaban.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVmVaNHbSrQ
No idea what method is best. There seems to be a lack of clarity on how to get a nice kanna ban AKA kanaban. Maybe this:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...e?item=05M4001
I purchased a Lap-Sharp a long time ago. Not a lot of info on it's use, and the company Wood Artistry is not all that responsive.
https://www.woodmagazine.com/tool-re...power-of-sharp
Not sure if this is better for my Japanese chisels. Sure would be nice to get that dialed in as my lap-sharp has not yet been used, if I can get an equally great finish and save time with the lap sharp, great. Or maybe the lap sharp for the major work and the waterstones for final finish. Not sure.
Any thoughts? I titled it for 2023 thinking maybe with newer products, things have changed since prior threads on this subject form years ago. Thanks.