Sharpening Basics

Keen to learn the basics of sharpening? This course will give students the opportunity to learn how to maintain their go-to slöjd tools and ensure they get the maximum enjoyment out of carving! Dull tools are inefficient, unsafe, and not fun to use. During this evening workshop, Jeanette Torkelson and Andrew Austin-Petersen will cover knife anatomy, determining the sharpness of the blade, and the process of sharpening to create, keep, and hold an edge. The class will focus primarily on the slöjd knife or flat carving knives and touch on hook knives, popular tools for beginning green wood carvers. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, students will learn both hand and power sharpening methods with the use of a Tormek, waterstones, and diamond stones. Then learn how to use and take home a leather strop and consumable sharpening kit to continue to develop and grow your sharpening practice at home! Suitable for ages 18+.

A $20 materials fee is due to the instructors in class. Students may bring up to two of your own tools from home to sharpen: one should be a slöjd or carving knife, and the other may be a hook knife, gouge, chisel, plane blade, drawknife, or carving axe. Note: Please do not bring kitchen knives, scissors, saws, or any tools with severe rust and cracks. Student tools will be sharpened in class at the discretion of the instructors as time allows.