Sharpening Fundamentals with Bob Van Dyke

If you’re not able to get your hand tools sharp, you’re not going to have much success (or fun) with them. Early in my woodworking journey, I thought that everyone was too obsessed with sharpening. This coincided with my belief that everyone was just exaggerating about their success with hand tools. It turns out hand tools are awesome, but only if they’re sharp.

Over a decade ago, we made a video series on sharpening with Bob Van Dyke. It’s a little dated looking, but the information is great and kept popping up on my radar. When I discussed the series with Bob, he mentioned that the information is still valid, but a lot has happened since 2008 and he’d like to update it.

We did just that, deciding to really focus on the fundamentals. In this video workshop, Bob covers the basics of all of the popular sharpening mediums, bevel angles, micro-bevels, hollow grinding, and his personal methods for sharpening chisels, handplanes, and carving gouges.

—Ben Strano

Videos in the Series

October 25, 2021

From oil stones to sandpaper systems, Bob Van Dyke gives an overview of many of the sharpening systems popular today—including the pros and cons of each.
October 25, 2021

Without truly flat stones, you’ll never be able to get truly sharp. In this video, Bob Van Dyke demonstrates this sharpening fundamental.
October 25, 2021

You’ll never experience the upside of a super-sharp blade if you don’t put in the time on the backside.
October 25, 2021

What’s the difference between between flat grinds and hollow grinds? Why does everyone sharpen bevels at 30º. What is a micro-bevel? Bob answers it all.
October 25, 2021

Bob Van Dyke gives an overview of various honing guides, and demonstrates why he uses one when sharpening his plane irons and chisels.
October 25, 2021

Bob Van Dyke heads to the grinder to demonstrate how he adds a hollow grind to his blades and how he keeps from burning the blade in the process.
October 25, 2021

Bob Van Dyke sharpens his plane blades with a subtle camber on the edges of the blade, allowing him more control with his handplanes.
October 25, 2021

Bob Van Dyke demonstrates how he sharpens his plane blades and gets back to work without skipping a beat.
October 25, 2021

Bob demonstrates a cool tool that helps him get curved blades sharp without much fuss.

Videos in the Series

Don’t Micromanage Your Microbevels – The Wood Whisperer

A Classic Picture Frame – The Wood Whisperer

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