Shoutout to the old guys who taught me hand plane setup

Back in 1999 my first boss made me sharpen plane irons on oilstones for two weeks straight. Took forever to get a decent edge. Now I use diamond stones and a honing guide. Takes me 5 minutes tops. But I still think about that old method when I'm rushing. Anyone else feel like the old way made you slower but more careful?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane_fisher373d ago

Funny how learning the hard way sticks with you, even when you upgrade. My first plane iron sharpening session ended with me cutting my thumb so bad I bled on the workbench for ten minutes. Still think about that dumb mistake every time I pick up a chisel.

johnson.paul3d ago

You ever notice how those little scars teach you more than any YouTube video ever could? I had a buddy named Dave who tried to sharpen a chisel for the first time without a guide, just freehanding it on a stone. He slipped and drove the tip straight into his palm, right between the thumb and index finger. Had to get three stitches and couldn't grip a tool for two weeks. Every time he picks up a chisel now, he looks at that little scar and I can see him flash back to it. @shane_fisher37 that's exactly the kind of lesson that doesn't wash off, even after you upgrade to better gear.