Sharpening Handbook

Because sharp enough

... usually is not

Wood Carving V-Tool Chisel

Side View - Edge angle

The V Tool's cutting edge is best sharpened in the horizontal position (with the wheel rotating away from the user). This reduces the steel removal rate, and allows for easier sharpening of the edge to the right profile, as it is not too fast.

Guidelines shown below are for the cutting edge angles. Since the entirity of this blade's cutting surface is honed, no secondary / micro bevel is given (as with Bench Chisels).

The angle (β) is the grind angle for both cutting edges (ground first), and the keel (ground last).

How can a person take pride in his work when skill and care are considered luxuries! We're not machines! We have a human need for craftsmanship!

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General Guidelines

Material

Sharpness

Notes

Hand
Work

Mallet
Work

Softer woods

15°

18°

For softer woods like bass or tupelo, this works well.

Harder woods

20°

25°

For harder woods like oak, this works well.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

Tormek Jigs

The Tormek SVD-186 or SVD-186 R is the recommended jig. However, for smaller or shorter tools, other jigs may be more useful.

Smaller tools

The Tormek SVS-38 or SVS-32 Short Tool Jig may be appropriate. It is used in a similar manner to the SVD-186.

Shorter tools

You may need to use a standard, off-the-shelf collar to guide the sharpening process. Most hardware stores carry these, or you can order one such as part number 9414T9 (⁷/₁₆ inch) or 57485K68 (10 mm) from McMaster-Carr. Note : You will probably need to replace the set screw with a longer one.

Grind Shape & Experience

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.

Flat Bevel

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 and the one on using the Tormek MB-102 Multi Base. The SVD-186R Gouge Jig works well with the MB-100 and the MB-102.

I'm not a fan of this approach as it seems quite complicated; however it is an option.

Re-Grinding the Bevel

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

Calculators

Use the Projection Calculator to set the projection and USB distance from the grindstone. This calculator is web-based and does not require Excel.

Example icon

Sharpness Scale

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.

Replacing Wooden Handles

A good source for the shape of a handle is The Wood Turner's Handy Book (1887), by Paul N Hasluck (see pg. 67, fig. 39).

Other good sources are:

Making a New Chisel Handle for Tired Hands: Part 1, by Aaron Keim and published on the Fine Woodworking website. (Part 2 is also on the web site now.)
Socket Chisel Handle, by Tom Caspar and published on the AAW website on the “Woodturning Fundamentals” eMagazine.

More Information

Books & Papers

Videos & Presentations

Alan Holtham
- Tormek SVD-186 Gouge Jig (YouTube video)
Mary May
- Sharpening a V-Chisel - Beginner Lesson #3 (YouTube video)
David Peters
- Tormek SVD-186 Gouge Jig Review and Comparison to the 185 (YouTube video)
Tormek
- Sharpen gouges with the Tormek Gouge Jig SVD-185 (YouTube video)
- Jeff Farris - Sharpening with the Tormek SVD-185 Gouge Jig (YouTube video)
- Sharpen short edge tools with the Tormek Short Tool Jig SVS-32 (YouTube video)
- Tormek Turning Tool Setter TTS-100 (YouTube video)
- Tormek AngleMaster WM-200 (YouTube video)
- Tormek Live Sharpening Class - Part 4 - Carving Knife & Carving Tools (YouTube video). Wolfgang and Sèbastian from Tormek go through the sharpening of carving knives and various carving tools such as v-tools, carving gouges and short wood chisels.
  - The commentary that starts at 00:10:40 about setup of the Tormek SVM-00 Small Knife Holder Jig is excellent.
  - Around 00:24, there is a discussion on sharpening hook knives (with the grind on the outside edge). Sharpening the inside edge must be done by hand, or using the method advocated in The Complete Guide to Sharpening (1996) by Leonard Lee.
- Tormek Sharpening Classes: Part 5 - Woodturning Tools (YouTube video). Want to learn how you get your woodturning tools razor-sharp? In this week's sharpening class we take a closer look at the tools for the woodturner; Gouges, skews, parting tools, scrapers, cutters and more. Sèbastian and Wolfgang will show you the methods for sharpening all these turning tools and how you achieve repeatable edges every time. Stay tuned and hit us with your questions during the stream.

Tormek, continued
- Tormek Live Sharpening Class - Part 9 - Sharpen a flat bevel with Tormek MB-100 on a diamond wheel (YouTube video). Sèbastian and Wolfgang show how to achieve a flat bevel with your Tormek wet sharpening system, They also touch upon the differences between the different types of bevels.
- Tormek Live Sharpening Class - Part 20 - MB-102 Multi Base - Enhanced Knife Sharpening & Flat Bevels (YouTube video). This video covers the MB-102 jig which can be used two ways:
  - For sharpening on the side of the grinding wheel (particularly the diamond grindstones). The value for this approach is:
    - It allows for a flat grind on the cutting edge.
    - It allows for sharpening short tools. This video demonstrates this well.
  - For sharpening vertically from the horizontal position. This is a replacement for the front vertical base. Sharpening knife edges using a edge trailing approach may be preferable if you sharpen on a softer Japanese water stone (so you don't accidentally dig into the grindstone). It is also quite useful for sharpening spoon knives.
  - At about 00:32, there is a great explanation of sharpening the V-Tool using the SVD-186-R Gouge Jig & the MB-102 Multi Base..

Published Articles

“Carving Tool Tune-up”, by Ian Agrell and published in Fine Woodworking magazine #133, November/December 1998. Ian recommends that the cutting edges be ground to 10° on both sides of the cutting edge, resulting in an α of 20°. The resulting edge looks rather like a knife. Pictures in the article explain this better. This approach is quite different from others I've read, especially for gouges and V-tools.
“How to Make Replacement Gouge Handles”, by Bill Howes and published in Fine Woodworking magazine #323, May/June 2026. Bill explains how to replace worn or poorly designed gouge handles to improve comfort, balance, and tool identification.
“Making a New Chisel Handle for Tired Hands: Part 1”, by Aaron Keim and published on the Fine Woodworking website. (Part 2 is also on the web site now.) Aaron noted,
Some of the most important tools in my shop are my chisels. Whether I am chopping, carving, or paring, they are in my hands all day. As I have gotten older and my arthritis/tendonitis has gotten worse, my needs have changed. In this blog, I will talk about my preferred chisel handle and show how I make a replacement handle to suit my needs.
“Scandinavian Grind Skew Chisel”, by Lara Reisigl Domeneghetti and published in “Popular Woodworking”, #287, February 2026.

Web Sites

R.M. Mottola has published a good set of instructions on Sharpening, Honing and Polishing Gouges and Other Carving Tools.