Hey, new guy here. I'm getting back into working with real wood after several years of just using plywood and MDF to build stuff like speaker boxes. My first project is going to be a new coffee table made from some curly cherry I've had sitting for years. I'm also interested in making boxes from some other figured and exotic wood I've got stashed.
I'm planning to incorporate a few dovetails into the table so I ordered a set of the nice Veritas chisels yesterday and bought the Veritas 14 tooth dovetail saw. Which brings me to my question.
One of the reasons I chose these chisels is that they aren't supposed to require much work at all to be ready for use. I'll start by lapping the backs, of course, to be sure they really are perfectly flat. I had some Sorby chisels before along with some lower end Japanese chisels and I got pretty decent results using scary sharp with the first gen Veritas guide. But I would like to avoid the sandpaper this time.
I've got a Veritas MK II guide that I've never used, so right now I'm thinking about just ordering some diamond paste and using a scrap piece of MDF to get these chisels into working shape. If that sounds like a reasonable way to start, what grit should I order? Will a single grit do the job or will I want to progress through more than one?
Finally, will the method I use to initially prepare the chisels also work to keep them sharp as I use them or do I need to go ahead and order something that will cut a little faster? I don't expect to be changing the 25/30 degree bevel they will have to start or the micro bevel angle.
Thanks a bunch for any help.
Chris