Sharpening

Sharp edges are essential for fine woodworking. A chisel or plane iron that has been properly sharpened will cut cleaner, respond with more control, and leave surfaces that look polished straight from the tool. Sharpening is simply a gradual refinement of the metal. You remove wear and scratches at the coarse stages and then polish the steel until the bevel becomes bright, smooth, and ready for work.

To achieve this level of sharpness, it helps to use tools that stay flat, cut quickly, and can be lubricated in a way that keeps the process clean. HoneRite Honing Solution is an excellent choice for lubricating both plates and stones. It carries away metal particles, prevents clogging, and protects your tools from corrosion. It also makes sharpening cleaner and smoother from start to finish.

Why HoneRite Honing Solution Improves Sharpening

HoneRite improves lubrication by helping swarf float away instead of collecting on your plates and stones. This allows abrasives to cut at full efficiency. It also contains corrosion inhibitors that protect plane irons, chisels, and sharpening equipment from rust, especially in environments where humidity may fluctuate. Your tools stay cleaner and are easier to maintain, and the sharpening surfaces continue to perform consistently. I transfer the solution to a spray bottle. That makes lubricating the plates quick and easy.

Sharpening Sequence Using Diamond Plates

Begin by lubricating your diamond plate with a small amount of HoneRite mixed with water. This helps the abrasive cut smoothly and keeps the metal filings suspended rather than embedded.

Start sharpening on a 220/325 grit plate. This coarse work removes nicks, flattens backs, and reestablishes a proper bevel. Take your time here because every later step only refines the work you do at this stage.

Move to a 325/600 grit plate. This step removes the deep scratches from the coarse plate and begins forming the true cutting edge. The edge will begin to feel sharp, but the steel will still show visible scratch patterns.

Progress to a 1,200 grit plate. This is where the edge becomes noticeably smoother. The bevel starts to take on a soft shine as finer scratch marks replace the earlier ones.

Finish the diamond sequence on a 4,000 grit plate. This prepares the steel for polishing. At this stage the bevel looks bright and clean and the edge becomes very sharp and ready for the final polishing stones.

When you get a new chisel or hand plane I recommend taking the tool through the paces above, regardless of the manufacturer.

Polishing with Shapton Glass Stones

After the diamond plates, continue sharpening with Shapton glass stones. Lubricate them lightly with HoneRite solution so they continue cutting cleanly.

Begin with the 8,000 grit stone. The steel now transitions from a refined surface to a nearly mirror like finish. The edge becomes exceptionally sharp and smooth.

Finish with the 16,000 grit stone. This final polish produces a brilliant mirror surface on the bevel and leaves the cutting edge as keen as it can practically be. Going beyond 16,000 grit does not improve performance in woodworking. This is the stage where your tool reaches its highest potential.

Unlike diamond plates, glass stones will loose flatness after use. For this reason, it is best to always reestablish the surface after sharpening. This is achieved with a glass modifier.

What a Finished Edge Should Feel Like

A properly sharpened tool glides through end grain with little resistance. Plane irons take whisper thin shavings that feel weightless in your hands. Chisels follow the grain with precision rather than wandering. The wood surface left behind feels smooth and burnished. Sharpening becomes a quiet satisfaction rather than a frustrating chore.

I do not use a sharpening jig to hold the blades in position. I prefer freehand. But you should feel free to use a honing guide if you’d like.

As soon as you begin noticing your tool is not cutting well, return its blade to the 8,000 grit Shapton stone followed by the 16,000 stone. This takes me less than a minute and brings the cutting surface back to where the tool is a joy to use.

The combination of DMT diamond plates, Shapton glass stones, and HoneRite Honing Solution offers a complete and reliable path to truly sharp edges. With consistent practice you will produce professional results every time.