Chris,
I've read through your chisel set-up blog posts but they were about hooped chisels. Does your preparation differ very much for paring chisels? (I saw you mentioned working to get them dead flat on the back). Are there any tests or processes you suggest for getting them flat without destroying the ura?
I purchased a couple more paring chisels to complement the Tasai I received from you and I want to make sure I don't ruin them.
Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
- Chris Hall
- Site Admin
- Contact:
- Location: Greenfield, Massachusetts
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Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
Well, first thing to do is to try and ascertain the condition of the back. Presuming these are new chisels, you can rub the entire back for a few strokes on a dead flat finishing stone, and then look to see the scratch pattern left behind. The finishing stone won't alter the shape much at all but will reveal high and low spots. Why not check that out and report back what you find? We can go from there.
- Chris Pyle
- Deshi
- Location: St. Louis, MO
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Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
Here's what I found (these are the Fujihiro chisels from Hidatool: blacksmith = Imai)
All three have similar scratch patterns on the stone and on their ura. They are sizes 6, 12 & 30 mm
Here are some pictures to show the results
more to follow... (5 maximum attachment limit)
All three have similar scratch patterns on the stone and on their ura. They are sizes 6, 12 & 30 mm
Here are some pictures to show the results
more to follow... (5 maximum attachment limit)
- Chris Pyle
- Deshi
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Post
Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
continuing with the 30mm...
The only unique thing about the 30mm was that it didn't fully rub across the front length but I'm guessing the amount of flattening that needs to occur on the courser stones will take care of that as there appeared to be a very small separation between the marks.
While I wait for your comments, I'm going to remove the lacquer so they will be ready to go.
The only unique thing about the 30mm was that it didn't fully rub across the front length but I'm guessing the amount of flattening that needs to occur on the courser stones will take care of that as there appeared to be a very small separation between the marks.
While I wait for your comments, I'm going to remove the lacquer so they will be ready to go.
- Chris Pyle
- Deshi
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Post
Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
Chris, any thoughts on moving forward? I'm guessing I should just follow the steps detailed on your blog for chisel preparation while making sure the back is completely flat?
- Chris Hall
- Site Admin
- Contact:
- Location: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Post
Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
Sorry, forgot to get back to you.
With that pattern, the situation you have is a blade that has slightly cupped after forging. Same thing happens to plane blades in many cases. So yep, the solution is the same as I showed on my blog in the plane set up series- wrap the middle of the chisel blade in UHMW tape and work the front 10mm or so until it is decked. You'll probably have to re-wrap with the tape several times. The key is to work only the last cm or so of the blade on the stone, and place finger pressure on that last section only. The portion with the UHMW tape will glide lightly over the stone surface.
You can recheck your progress by rubbing the entire back (sans tape) on a finish stone and checking the scratch pattern. When you have something fairly even, you can then work the blade on a medium and finish stone. Make sense? By the time you are done you should have a decently large ura-suki on the chisel behind the cutting edge.
With that pattern, the situation you have is a blade that has slightly cupped after forging. Same thing happens to plane blades in many cases. So yep, the solution is the same as I showed on my blog in the plane set up series- wrap the middle of the chisel blade in UHMW tape and work the front 10mm or so until it is decked. You'll probably have to re-wrap with the tape several times. The key is to work only the last cm or so of the blade on the stone, and place finger pressure on that last section only. The portion with the UHMW tape will glide lightly over the stone surface.
You can recheck your progress by rubbing the entire back (sans tape) on a finish stone and checking the scratch pattern. When you have something fairly even, you can then work the blade on a medium and finish stone. Make sense? By the time you are done you should have a decently large ura-suki on the chisel behind the cutting edge.
- Chris Pyle
- Deshi
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Post
Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
This makes perfect sense. I read this before I took a break for our son's arrival but I'll post some progress pics as I get these set-up, most likely with more questions. I'll work on a single chisel to make sure I don't beta-ura the hell out of all of my tools. Best to learn on the least expensive.Chris Hall wrote:Sorry, forgot to get back to you.
With that pattern, the situation you have is a blade that has slightly cupped after forging. Same thing happens to plane blades in many cases. So yep, the solution is the same as I showed on my blog in the plane set up series- wrap the middle of the chisel blade in UHMW tape and work the front 10mm or so until it is decked. You'll probably have to re-wrap with the tape several times. The key is to work only the last cm or so of the blade on the stone, and place finger pressure on that last section only. The portion with the UHMW tape will glide lightly over the stone surface.
You can recheck your progress by rubbing the entire back (sans tape) on a finish stone and checking the scratch pattern. When you have something fairly even, you can then work the blade on a medium and finish stone. Make sense? By the time you are done you should have a decently large ura-suki on the chisel behind the cutting edge.
- Chris Hall
- Site Admin
- Contact:
- Location: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Post
Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
"Best to learn on the least expensive"
A wise policy.
Congratulations on your newborn by the way!
A wise policy.
Congratulations on your newborn by the way!
- Brian
- Deshi
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Re: Setting up/Preparing paring chisels
I found the best tool to help me stand up my chisels and oil the handles to prepare for setting the hoops;
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