Sharpening Handbook

Because sharp enough

... usually is not

Printable Handbook

The Sharpening Handbook, 2026 Edition, is the content of this web site laid out as a book to print at home. Each chapter is its own PDF, so you can print just the chapters you need and keep them in a 3-ring binder. Page numbers include the chapter number (e.g., 6-14), so a chapter can be replaced when it is updated without reprinting the others. Each chapter’s first page shows the date it was last revised.

Choose Letter (8½" × 11") or A4. The pages are laid out for printing on both sides, with a wider margin on the side for the binder holes.

Some content stays on the web site only: the calculators, the jig details and 3D-print files, videos, and links to other web sites.

Ch.	Chapter	US Letter	A4
1	Introduction	Letter (9 pp.)	A4 (9 pp.)
2	Grindstones and the Tormek	Letter (25 pp.)	A4 (25 pp.)
3	Jigs, Fixtures, and Modifications	Letter (1 pp.)	A4 (1 pp.)
4	Ongoing Maintenance	Letter (10 pp.)	A4 (10 pp.)
5	Beekeeping Tools	Letter (5 pp.)	A4 (5 pp.)
6	Bench Tools	Letter (31 pp.)	A4 (31 pp.)
7	Drills	Letter (14 pp.)	A4 (13 pp.)
8	Firefighting & Landscaping	Letter (21 pp.)	A4 (19 pp.)
9	Gardening Tools	Letter (70 pp.)	A4 (68 pp.)
10	Knives & Kitchen Tools	Letter (14 pp.)	A4 (13 pp.)
11	Metal Lathe Tools	Letter (17 pp.)	A4 (16 pp.)
12	Rose Engine Tools	Letter (7 pp.)	A4 (7 pp.)
13	Rotary Cutters	Letter (4 pp.)	A4 (4 pp.)
14	Scissors	Letter (10 pp.)	A4 (10 pp.)
15	Stone Carving Tools	Letter (9 pp.)	A4 (9 pp.)
16	Wood Carving Tools	Letter (23 pp.)	A4 (23 pp.)
17	Wood Lathe Tools	Letter (46 pp.)	A4 (43 pp.)
18	Woodworking Bench Tools	Letter (24 pp.)	A4 (21 pp.)
19	Woodworking Power Tools	Letter (4 pp.)	A4 (3 pp.)
20	Reference Materials	Letter (18 pp.)	A4 (16 pp.)

Before you download

The Sharpening Handbook PDFs are free for your own use. By continuing, you agree that:

Personal use only. You may print these PDFs, in whole or in part, for your own personal use. You won’t sell them, or printed copies of them, or include them in anything that is sold.
Use at your own risk. Sharpening, and the sharp tools that result, can cause serious injury. Follow the tool and equipment makers’ instructions and use proper safety equipment. The information is given as-is, without warranty, and the author is not liable for any injury or damage from its use.
Please share the link, not the files. This web site is always the current version, and each chapter shows its revision date. Pointing people to SharpeningHandbook.info means they get the latest.
Other people’s material stays theirs. Some pictures and information are used with permission (for example from Tormek AB, and the image credits shown). Those rights stay with their owners.

Help make it better. As you use this book, if you make notes for your own use, or notice something that’s out of date, unclear, or wrong, please let me know at SharpeningHandbook@Gmail.com. I’ll work it into the next edition so it’s better for everyone.