At midnight tonight the $50 introductory price for “Sharpen This (the Video)” will end. After midnight Eastern time, the video will be $75.
This video series is a deep dive into practical (not theoretical) at-the-bench sharpening. What do you need to do to get your tools to leave a perfect wooden surface? That’s the goal.
The series is an ongoing project. We have already posted 13 chapters, and most of them focus on particular tools and the tricks to sharpening them. And we are working on 18 additional chapters that will be released in the coming months.
So if you buy the video now, you will continue to get new content on sharpening throughout 2023. We are covering techniques for all sorts of tools, and we eschew almost all of the silly jigs.
For example: Today we just posted a new video on sharpening marking knives. There are a number of insane jigs out there for sharpening marking knives. And they all miss the mark. That’s because the most important part of sharpening marking knives isn’t sharpening the bevels. It’s sharpening the flat back.
Once you get the back flat, honed and polished (every time), then the bevels are easy. (No jigs.)
To prove it’s easy, I sharpen a marking knife that has been in use for 10 years without a single decent sharpening. And bring it back to life.
Normally we don’t share testimonials. They seem cheesy. But the response to the video has been impressive.
“I’ve read/watched people explain the process too many times now and it never clicked until I watched this series. After watching the grind/hone/polish video, I ran into my shop, tried it out, and had an actually sharp edge on my plane within 30 seconds — all of that without a bald spot on my forearm.
Seriously, huge thank you. I wish I had this series 2 years ago, I wouldn’t have wasted so much money, time, and angst.”
And:
“This video series has been incredibly helpful for me. My sharpening game has changed – less time sharpening and more woodworking!”
So if you want to save $25, here’s the link. Thanks to everyone who suggested we do this video and discussed their challenges when sharpening.
— Christopher Schwarz
Christopher,
Your book and this video series has been well worth the price. I have a better understanding of what I am doing. You are a very good communicator and have really done a good job demonstrating the process of making things sharp.
Clear, concise, precise – Sharpen This is invaluable. Had I had this instruction years ago I’d have been saved (many) calculable dollars and incalculable frustration by trying to sharpen tools and knives in uninformed ways and achieving poor results. If you are reading this and wondering whether to buy the video as well as the book the answer is YES. Do it now.
Chris, probably an odd question but would you happen to cover sharpening a STANLEY No. 77 Dowel Machine cutter? I can do a flat blade (plane chisel etc.) pretty well, but that goofy #77 cutter is a whole other kettle of fish!
Nope. I have never even seen one in person. Sorry!
I’ve not seen a 77 in person, but looking at pictures online it gives me nightmares of a gouge and a v-tool’s ugly duckling baby. perhaps an approach like one of those tools? slip stones, round file, etc.? at the end of the day, Sharp doesn’t care what shape the blade is. you just need to find the right shape of rock to fit into all the nooks and crannies of that folded razor.
And the book?
I just finished watching the the videos which are a bargain at $75 and a steel at $50. Only a little sorry for the bad pun…So many useful tips and techniques. Very much looking forward to reading the book and putting this knowledge to work.