How to sharpen Veritas Spoke Shave Blade

[titanxt]

I do not currently have a way to sharpen the blade of my Veritas spoke shave (http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.as...at=1,50230).
How do you go about sharpening smaller blades such as this one? 

Thank you!

Andy

[Tony Z]

I do not currently have a way to sharpen the blade of my Veritas spoke shave (http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.as...at=1,50230).
How do you go about sharpening smaller blades such as this one? 

Thank you!

Andy

Lee Valley makes a nice magnetic holder for small blades. Look it up and you may get some ideas on making your own, or decide to order one. I have one, and it works very well.

[Blockplane]

They sell a small blade jig that works quite well.

[titanxt]

Lee Valley makes a nice magnetic holder for small blades.  Look it up and you may get some ideas on making your own, or decide to order one.  I have one, and it works very well.

Will it work with the MkII jig?

[Tony Z]

Will it work with the MkII jig?

That's a question for Lee Valley!

[titanxt]

Called Lee Valley. Unfortunately, it does not work with the MkII. Might stick with freehand, though it's not my first choice. Be a bit hard to shell out the money for the other jig and the small blade holder...

[Derek Cohen]

I hollow grind small blades with or without a holder (if so, using either custom or the LV Small Blade holder) and then freehand on the hollow. The hollow lasts a long time, and makes freehanding easier.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[rwe2156]

I sharpen mine freehand with no jig.

You can also make one out of a stick with a holder and a couple wing nuts.

BTW I found that on a Google search in less time than it takes to dial Lee Valley LOL

[titanxt]

A2 steel have proven to be murder on the hands honing free hand...

[Steve Friedman]

Here's an inexpensive way to sharpen spokeshave blades with an Eclipse-style jig.  Grab an old plane blade (#4 is perfect) and a piece of double sided tape.  Use the tape to stick the spokeshave blade to the plane blade, with the spokeshave blade protruding a bit.  Then set the angle and sharpen away.  

If you're using a blade protrusion jig to set the blade depth, remember that the doubled blade will be extra thick, so the angle will be slightly off.  Not a big deal as long as you're consistent with it.  Or use one of those magnetic angle finding things. 

I have tried this with rare earth magnets as well and it works, but the doubled blade is even thicker and the tape holds better. 

I don't really like the old style LV magnetic  short blade holder for these spokeshave blades.   I never thought it held the blade securely enough.  Better for the low angle spokeshave blades.  

I now use the L-N jig with the small blade attachment and it's great, but that's the opposite of inexpensive.

I also use the Richard Kell guide for that blade - with the original smaller wheels.  Not perfect, but it works and is a terrific travel sharpening jig because of its size.  I suppose the Eclipse and tape would work for travel as well.

Free hand would be great if I could ever develop that skill.

Good luck,

Steve