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Sharpening Schaaf chromium chisels

I am under the impression that you have to use diamond sharpeners for Schaaf chromium chisels. Is this true or can I use anything?

Hi Michael,

Any sharpening stones should work for the Schaaf tools. I'm not aware that they need any special stones. Arkansas stones, water stones, ceramic stones, diamond stones. The only thing about the diamond stones I have found - they sharpen faster than the others.

Hi Michael.

Like Mary says, any of the normal sharpening systems will work. My first experience with the chromium vanadium steels was with some of the regular woodworking bench chisels. I actually own nine of the full Schaaf sets,  four each of the seven piece sets,  and four of the fishtail sets so  I think I feel qualified on the subject of sharpening them. I also have around four hundred other carving tools from a variety of brands along with several hundred other razor sharp edged tools. In addition, I have used everything from abrasive paper through diamond stones and nearly everything in between. About the only thing I don't have experience with is powered sharpeners, with the exception of a typical shop grinder with aluminum oxide wheels for rough shaping during commissioning. The Schaaf tools (great tools by the way) will sharpen about the same as most other brand name tools. After commissioning the tools, my normal routine consists of a two sided diamond stone (400/1000) for the bevels (when necessary), a slipstone or a dowel wrapped with fine wet/dry abrasive paper for interior curves. a slipstone or folded abrasive paper for parting tool interior edges and root surfaces. I follow up lightly with a powered charged buffing wheel or a charged strop. Normal maintenance is simply a a strop of your choice unless you damage the tool or need to alter it for some reason. I have found that with light powered buffing, finer grit stones are unnecessary but care must be exercised not to round the edge. While many folks have resisted using diamond stones in the past because of the cost, they have become much more reasonable of late and offer lots of advantages. I have all of the types of stones Mary mentions but the diamond stones have become my go-to method.

Michael,

Great information! And I think you have more carving tools than I do... I need to go shopping!