Sharpening Handbook

Stone Carving Frosting Tool

Edge Angle

Guidelines shown below are for the cutting edge angle.

Frequent sharpening is recommended to maintain the tool's shape, and is needed for safe performance of the tool.

Carving is a source of joy to the artist. . . . To attack the raw material, gradually to extract a shape out of it following one's own desire, or, sometimes, the inspiration of the material itself: this gives the sculptor great joy.

Aristide Maillol

General Guidelines
Material	β	Comments
Softer stone (e.g., chalk, soapstone, & pumice)	50° - 60°
General stone (e.g., limestone & marble)	50° - 60°
Harder Stone (e.g., granite & basalt)	N/A	Use a bushing chisel.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

Use larger angles for roughing out, and sharper (more acute) angles for finishing cuts.

Special Notes for Tools with Carbide Inserts: Do not cool by dipping in water : this will generate shocks in the metal, and cause the carbide to crack.

When sharpening, one of the following options is recommended.

Leave corners slightly beveled, or
Edge up on the final grind.
- Leave the final 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) unground. This is because the rough grinding of the carbide introduces cracks and makes the edge more brittle. By stopping short of the edge, this is minimized.
- Then, use a high grit wheel should be used to make the edge smooth with minimal cracks.
- A very high grit grindstone should be used if a very smooth carving surface is needed, or if the material is very soft.

Special thanks to Oleg Lobykin at StoneSculpt - Custom Stone Carving for providing the guidance.