Sharp tools = Easier work
It is very important to sharpen your tools (paring knife, awl, edge beveler, paring knife, etc.) before or after each use to ensure their longevity and maintain a sharp cutting edge . Learn in just a few minutes how to prepare a strop and sharpen your leatherworking tools.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHARPENING AND HARNESSING?
- Sharpening involves removing a layer of metal from your cutting tool to restore its edge and reform the cutting edge (the sharp edge of the blade) . Tools are generally sharpened with sandpaper or a whetstone (dry or with oil) .
- Sharpening involves preserving and maintaining the edge of your tool, thus delaying wear (and the need for further sharpening) . We recommend sharpening your cutting tools after each use (at least for knives). Tools are generally sharpened using a strop (made of leather).
HOW DO I SHARPEN MY CUTTING TOOLS?
As explained earlier, tools are sharpened using sandpaper or a sharpening stone. The grit is chosen according to the condition of the tool (always finish with a finer grit – the higher the number, the finer the grit) . For example: start with 400 grit and finish with 800 grit. It is essential to maintain the correct cutting angle during sharpening.
In this video, we demonstrate how to sharpen the Indispensable paring knife. The steps are the same for sharpening a diamond-shaped awl or a paring knife. In the video below, we recommend starting with 1000-grit sandpaper and finishing with 3000-grit for optimal sharpness (the blade wasn't cutting). Always maintain the same angle of approximately 20 degrees. The narrower the angle, the easier and deeper the cut will be.
Tool sharpening and leather trimming training
We offer training courses on honing and sharpening at our premises in Loire-Atlantique. More information here:
HOW TO PREPARE A STROP / POLISHING BOARD?
The mixture of "Sharpening Oil" and "Polishing Paste" on the polishing board will take several days to dry completely.
Watch the video ⬇️📽️
Don't hesitate to reapply polishing compound regularly, depending on your usage. There's no need to reapply sharpening oil. The more the strop is saturated with compound and the older it gets, the more effective it will be.
WHAT KIND OF LEATHER SHOULD I USE TO MAKE A STROP / POLISHING BOARD?
If you wish to make your own strop or change the leather on your strop, we recommend using PREMIUM vegetable tanned leather (reference: with a significant thickness: at least 3.3 mm (so that the flesh side of the leather is still soft and not split). We sell pieces measuring 8x50 cm in 3.3 mm thickness.
To glue the leather to the wooden board, we recommend using neoprene glue. We also sell ready-to-use strops on our website, featuring an ergonomic handle for a better grip.
WHAT TYPE OF PASTE SHOULD I USE FOR SHARPENING?
We recommend DIALUX polishing paste; the paste should be applied to the piece of leather (flesh side) which has been previously oiled, by rubbing the stick vigorously.
There are two schools of thought regarding which side of the strop to apply the honing compound to: the grain side or the flesh side. Knifemakers generally recommend the flesh side , as its fuzzy texture allows it to better retain the compound. Indeed, the "flesh side" holds more compound thanks to its fibrous structure, while the "grain side" offers a smoother surface that can produce a finer polish. Ultimately, we'll leave it to each individual to experiment.
HOW DO I MAINTAIN THE SHARPNESS OF MY CUTTING TOOLS?
The edge/sharpness of your cutting tools is maintained using a STROP before or after each use.
HOW TO SHARPEN AN ALE WITH PLIERS (DIAMOND-POINT ALE OR DIAMOND-POINT ALE)?
Learn in just a few minutes how to sharpen all four sides of a diamond awl (also called a lozenge awl or diamond point awl). This very useful tool for piercing leather when saddle stitching is often sold pre-sharpened, so you'll need to finish sharpening it.
HOW TO SHARPEN A SWIVEL KNIFE?
To properly sharpen a knife designed for opening, we recommend using the Tandy Leather guide, reference TL_88118_00, which will help you maintain the blade at the correct angle during sharpening (avoiding rounding the blade). Note that each side of the blade must be sharpened identically on the sharpening stone or strop (same number of strokes).
HOW TO SHARPEN A ROUND PIECE CUTTER OR A BISSONNETTE?
We offer a specific tool for sharpening your round cookie cutters ( diameter 4 to 16 mm ) and small cookie cutters. The sharpener (ref. TA759) is made of stainless steel and coated with emery powder inside and out.
HOW TO SHARPEN AN EDGE BEVEL?
The edge beveler needs to be sharpened regularly, especially for chamfering thin leathers. An 800-grit abrasive sheet will be necessary to sharpen the tool. Sharpening jigs are available to make the process easier.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLAZEBOARD >
KNIFE FAN VIDEO:
We also invite you to watch the video by "Knife Fan" which addresses the sharpening technique from another angle.
TECHNICAL BOOK ON SADDLERY AND LEATHER GOODS:
This book includes about ten pages dedicated to sharpening leatherworking tools: round awl, the essential paring knife, the awl with pliers, the paring knife... (with diagrams) . We highly recommend it!
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1 comment
Exotica leathers
A very well-written and informative tutorial. A perfect guide for anyone looking to sharpen leather tools effectively and maintain precision.