Sharpening Handbook

Travisher

Edge Angle

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.

Do not add a back bevel or curve the back surface.

Few hand tool purists can make a living with them.

Anonymous

Slip stones are typically used in this process.

General Guidelines

Use

Sharp
ness

Comments

Pri. Bevel

Micro bevel

General Purpose

30°

+2° to +5°

I have seen recommendations for this to be as high as 15° for soft woods, but that seems like it would be quite difficult to control for a fine finish.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

Some travisher blades have a hollow on the back surface. Ignore this hollow when honing that face.

Carving edges are typically not reground; only to reshape them, or repair a problem with the edge. More commonly, the edge is simply honed on the leather wheel.

Sharpness Scale

Example icon

Sharpness scales (as shown in the grey icon to the left) are used to indicate the recommended sharpness for the blades noted above. You can click on any of the icons showing the sharpness scale and be redirected to the page describing this more. Lower numbers are duller; higher numbers sharper.

These are general recommendations; you will need to use your own judgment, based on the knive’s intended purpose.

More Information

Books & Papers

Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (book), by Thomas Lie-Nielsen

Videos & Presentations

Allan Williams Woodworker - Sharpening a Travisher Blade (YouTube). This is especially nice as Allan outlines a jig which makes the process easier if regrinding is necessary.
Making a Chairmakers Travisher (YouTube) by Harry Rogers. This video outlines blacksmithing for making a blade.
Sharpening a Travisher (YouTube) by Chris Buchanan. This video also outlines a jig for regrinding. Chris has a playlist for sharpening all forms of chairmaking tools.
Sharpening a Travisher Blade (YouTube) by James Mursell of The Windsor Workshop.
Sharpening Woodwork Tools - The Travisher (WIP Wednesday) (YouTube) by Ben & Lois Orford.

Published Articles

What are Slip Stones?

Web Sites

Sharpening a Travisher Blade by James Mursell. James, of The Windsor Workshop in West Sussex, UK, makes travishers (and other chair-making tools), and his information is great. He has some good general sharpening information also.