Hard Wool vs. Paper Buffing Wheel

I prefer leather.
The rounding of edges is a function of pressure applied to a certain extent.

I have two mind for sharpening… there is for precise joinery and then there is sharp for carving. IF I am doing my paring chisels I use every method I can for flatness, but carving…. all it needs to be is sharp and the shape you need for the task, but then learning how you like to find tune your carving tools is, in MHO, as same learning how to be patient and slow for that nice prefect slice against the woodgrain. I prefer sand paper on glass for flat, on paper on carpet for curved edges… aluminum oxide powder on leather for polishing.

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

Thanks for both of your replies. Looked at your gallery EP and your projects testify that you know what you’re talking about. I’m getting all sorts of advice and now it’s time to apply it and find what works best for me. A good friend once said that if you ask 12 woodworkers the same exact question you’ll get 13 different answers!

-- John Visit my Blog: http://woodworksbyjohn.com

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Abrasive-Powder-P33.aspx?gclid=CK7ez-K818kCFYVbfgodLO0KTg

First I’ve heard of using aluminum oxide on leather for stropping. Good to know, thanks EP!

I use the Burke sharpening system, which has wheels with sandpaper, leather, and a cloth buffing wheel. I use the sandpaper for shaping or repairing an edge and the leather wheel with honing compound for sharpening gouges and knives. The cloth buffing wheel polishes and removes excess compound from knives and the outside of gouges. But it is also used to remove the wire edge formed on the inside of the gouges and V-tools, by holding the tool upside down on the rotating wheel. A lot of professional carvers use this system because it is fast and gives great results. Primarily it is quicker than sharpening by hand, especially if you have a lot of tools to sharpen!

-- Mike P., Arkansas, http://mikepounders.weebly.com

Thanks for the info Mike. Checked out his website and his lowest priced system is under $300.00—- really not out of line. May be too late to put on my Christmas list but …........ who knows!

-- John Visit my Blog: http://woodworksbyjohn.com