Category Archives: sharpening

“Fish Say…” Shrink Pot

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Dave Fisher

As I was shaving down the walls of this cherry shrink pot, I couldn’t help but notice a few small tight pin knots, mostly because the swirling grain direction around them was causing me fits.  Then I thought they might … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

The T-Handle Auger

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Dave Fisher

To bore the initial hole in a shrink pot, I use an auger, typically this two-inch diameter T-handle auger.  I found mine at flea market years ago.  Large augers like this aren’t rare, but there are a few things to … Continue reading →

Posted in sharpening, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

What’s Wrong with this Edge?

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Look at the lines of reflection on the beautiful polished surface.  The polish is good.  The fact that the lines of reflection take a bit of a nosedive as they reach the cutting edge is a problem, and a very … Continue reading →

Posted in sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

Back in the Swing

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. — Abraham Lincoln Although this is a widely known quote attributed to Lincoln, he probably never said it. Besides, Lincoln wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, bird bowls, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Sharpening an Adze

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I took some photos tonight while I sharpened my adze.  I wrote about my general sharpening procedure for an axe in this post a while back.  The general idea is the same, but sharpening an adze can be more intimidating … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 6 Comments

What Thumbnails Are For

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Sharp makes everything better; less force is required to cut, control is gained, and the surface left from the tool is superior.  As obvious as that is, it is easily forgotten in the midst of a project and the haste … Continue reading →

Posted in sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Apple of His Eye

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Near the end of March 1845, I borrowed an axe and went down to the woods by Walden Pond nearest to where I intended to build my house…. The owner of the axe, as he released his hold on it, … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, carving, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments