Tapered Iron Hollow Grind Question

[Skip J.]

My experience says that honing guides are useful but only as training wheels. Once you train yourself how to keep the blade moving at a constant angle, you can ditch the guide. Of course, the guide has its own learning curve. The result is that once you master the guide you don't need it anymore.

This.... well said Jim....

[Bibliophile 13]

I agree. Grind at 25*. Then hone with a micro-bevel.

Those old irons are THICK. You really want a hollow grind, otherwise you will spend forever trying to hone the entire bevel. That old tool steel takes a keen edge, and it doesn't tend to crumble very easily. It was designed to do jobs like this, and it did (and does) them very, very well.

[gregbois]

Thanks again, one and all.  I'm hoping to finish this iron this weekend, time permitting.  I hope to post a few images of shavings, to follow.

Greetings from Sunny (and Incendiary) Southern California

Greg

[bandit571]

Have a couple of those tapered irons....may have to check to see HOW I sharpened them up....One is in a Ohio Tool Co.  No. 035

   
Something like this....

   
About the same as a Stanley #35

   
I think I tried for just a flat, 25 degree bevel....