Japanese Chisels

[Terry]

Hello David,

I use the Tormek machine and like it quite a bit. I also use the Japanese 
laminated chisel that Del recommends for bridge notching. I see the logic 
that the hollow grind will provide less support of the cutting edge. With my 
Tormek, I can sharpen the Japanese chisel (or any chisel, plane blade, etc.) 
to a razor edge. It seems to keep and edge quite well. Maybe the edge would 
last longer if it was flat ground, but doesn't seem to me to be any big 
deal. The hollow grind with the big Tormek wheel isn't really all that far 
from a flat grind.

I wish I had the skills to sharpen by hand. Anyone interested in buying a 
very nice set of ceramic stones (professional series)? 
http://www.shaptonstones.com/

Terry Farrell


>I was looking at a Tormek Sharpening system the other day at a Japanese
> Woodworker outlet and was advised by one of the sales people that you
> should never use a sharpening device that hollow grinds the bevel on a
> Japanese chisel because it reduces the support of the cutting edge on
> these laminated type chisels.  I've always sharpened them by hand anyway
> but was unaware of this.  Anyone else have any experience in this area.
> I much prefer the Japanese cutting tools for there hardness and the
> ability to get a good edge that stays sharp.
>
> David Love