Sharpening Jigs
Okay, you’ve seen your share of sharpening jigs. And they all seem to work pretty good. Well, I guarantee you’ve never seen anything quite like this before: The Sharpening Box. (At least I never have!)
Last night, I watched Gary Blum, a cabinetmaker and toolmaker from Walnut, IA., demonstrate the jig and I have to say, I was impressed. You can read more about the jig at Gary’s website: Blum Tool Co.
According to information on the site, “…the jig consists of a box made of UHMW plastic that is both a honing surface and a storage box for the stones. It has an adjustable angle block which is set in relation to the top honing surface.”
A couple of features that make it unique:
- The angle for honing is set directly from a scale and is easily changed
- The tool has no jig attached to it
- The tool stays set and the stone is moved – a much easier motion
- The stone can be used laterally and in a circular motion as well as back and forth – therefore, the flatness of the stone is not as critical as a back and forth motion, and the edge can be made sharper and longer lasting
- Much shorter and narrower stones can be used very effectively
- The tool references on its back, which is the widest and flattest side
- Can hone angled edges as easily as straight
- Can sharpen very short cutters as well as short cutter with handles, such as butt chisels or Japanese chisels
- Self-contained and portable-stones store inside of box
- Can sharpen scraper blades at a true 90 degree angle very easily and repeatedly – “filing” is done with a diamond stone
- Jig is entirely waterproof for water-stone sharpening
By the way, Gary also makes some pretty cool hand planes as well.