Japanese chisels are keenly defined by the laminated blade. The cutting edge (bottom) is a high carbon steel for maximum sharpening capabilities, and the upper edge is a low carbon steel which facilitates shock absorption and makes sharpening easier.

Guidelines shown below are for Primary Bevel Angles & Secondary bevel angles (also known as micro bevel angles). Notes are also available on a different web page for Micro / Secondary Bevels.

Mortise chisels often have this profile.

Crank-neck chisels often have this profile.

Information regarding Grindstones

Tormek Jig		Comments
SE-76 Square Edge Jig		This is a great jig to use for sharpening chisels, including skewed edges. However shorter chisels won't always work in this jig. If you have some of your grandfather's old chisels around which you want to use (other to open paint cans), consider using the SVH-60. Note: The SE-77 has replaced this jig and the SE-76 is hard to find.
SE-77 Square Edge Jig		Some have mentioned that it is a bit tricky to get the alignment correct for chisels using this jig. That said, this jig is very useful for cambering plane blades, so it is useful to have if you sharpen those also. As with the SE-76, shorter chisels won't always work in this jig. If you have some shorties around which you want to use (other to open paint cans), consider using the SVS-38 or the SVH-60.
SVS-38 Short Tool Jig		This jig is also useful for sharpening chisels where there is not enough length to use either of the two jigs listed above.
SVH-60 Straight Edge Jig		This is the original jig for sharpening chisels and plane blades. It is no longer being made which is unfortunate as it is really great for holding shorter chisels. If you have shorter chisels, consider getting one from the used tools market. Note: The SE-77 has replaced this jig and the SVH-60 is hard to find.

• Grind Profile Notes:
  • The shape of the grind used is a call best made by the tool's use, based on their own experience. Additional notes are available on separate web pages for:
  • Grind Profiles, and
  • Micro / Secondary Bevels.
  
  
  • Some also advocate only using flat stones, including Toshio Odate, author of Japanese Woodworking Tools : Their Tradition, Spirit, and Use (1998), and John Reed Fox.

    If you want to grind a flat bevel on the edge and you are using a Tormek, watch the video below on using the Tormek MB-100 Muti Base.

• Secondary Bevel Notes:
  • Some recommend there be no secondary bevel angle.
  • If the user chooses to have a secondary bevel, 2° is recommend as this allows for repeated resharpening by touching up the secondary bevel only. Once this becomes too time consuming (i.e., the secondary bevel becomes too large), then you will have to regrind the primary bevel.
  
  
• Hollow(s) in the Back Face :
  • Hollow(s) in the back face should be > ¹/₈" (0.1250" / 3 mm) from the cutting edge. If less, tap it out as necessary. (There is a great video from Andrew Hunter on the Fine Woodworking site.)
  
  
• Other Japanese Chisel Notes:
  • giant Cypress has great information on Japanese chisel set up, and it is highly recommended.
  
  
  • The article, "Choosing and Using Japanese Chisels" in Fine Woodworking magazine, May/June 2013, is highly recommended.
  
  
• Be sure to coat all newly sharpened surfaces with camelia oil to minimize chances for rust.

Sebastien and Wolfgang offer some great tips on the sharpening of chisels & plane irons using the various Tormek grinding wheels, including the use of the diamond wheels.

• At 00:46, there is a great explanation of sharpening a tool with a radiused end using the SE-77 Square Edge Jig.


• At 00:52, there is a great explanation of how to use the MB-100 Multi Base.

In this episode we learn how to use the Tormek MB-100 Multi Base to sharpen a completely flat bevel ▼, on the side of Tormek's diamond wheels DC-250, DF-250 and DE-250. For some tools, such as 🎻 luthier knives,🔪 Kiridashi knives, v-tools, chip carving knives and Japanese plane irons, a completely flat surface on the bevel is preferred over a slightly concave, which you get when you sharpen on the rounded part of the grinding wheel. For some people this is more of a personal preference.

Regardless of what might be the reason to want a flat bevel, Sèbastian and Wolfgang show how to achieve it with your Tormek wet sharpening system, They will also touch upon the differences between the different types of bevels.