The pic of those chisels makes me think of the Picasso clock pic. haha If it doesn't fit in the honing jig then you just have to do the best you can which means by hand. With a little practice it is easily done.

Around 6:30, Robbie is sharpening the bevel. He suggests that you look and insure the complete face is being sharpened. This can be difficult at higher grits. One simple solution - take a permanent marker and place lines across the face, ensuring you get all the corners. The ink will dry in a moment. A few strokes on the stone, then take a look - you'll know exactly what Robbie is talking about.

Robbie,

at 7:50 you've hit the secondary bevel at 8,000. Don't you want to take a couple strokes at 8,000 on the back to remove any hook left from the sharpening?

Thanks,

Filippo

In shining the back there is something there about 'til your arm falls off.' How does that normally translate to minutes?

Hugh

What chisels do you personally use? I have a set which are probably mid-range but I would like to get 1 or two top quality chisels for the more intricate things. The issue we have is every maker uses the name Marples, which used to represent quality, now every Tom, Dick and Harry uses the name and you can end up with awful chisels .

I can get a pretty good polish on the blades, but to get what you have, I have had to have my arms re-attached several times now, but hey, I must have put at least 2" on my bicep .

Robbie,
Another great demo.
Thanks.

One thing that we rarely have an opportunity to discuss or experience is a qualifier or standardization of just how sharp, sharp is. I had carved braces and done all the other work necessary to close my first box up with the sharpest tool I'd EVER worked with. It was great. Then, while trimming the overhang a woodworker friend took my chisel and actually sharpened it. When he handed it back to me, I put it to the overhanging edge of the back and pushed on it in a manner I was familliar with and put that blade all the way through the material and into the side of the instrument.

It convinced me that I needed to learn how to sharpen tools, which is very close to the method you demonstrated. I do use the strop often to keep the edge and don't find a need to go through all the steps you demonstrated other than when I drop one on the concrete floor or buy a new one.

I believe many newcomers and some veterans alike have never experienced a truly sharp edge on their blades.

So professor, when you come up with a qualifier better than 'shaves the back of your hand' and less technical than 'no bigger than a 2 micron edge' Please let us know.

Until then, keep up the GREAT work!

Dave