Intaglio’s Ultimate Guide To Sharpening Stones
Picture this: you’re settling down for a long day of printmaking, uncoil your kit from your woollen tool roll and pull out your trusty tools you’ve had for years. As you try to glide your tool across the surface, it… feels… a… bit… stuck. Sounds like you need to sharpen your tool. Luckily, we have the answers, so here is our Ultimate Guide to Sharpening Printmaking Tools:
SlipStrop
The Flexcut SlipStrop is an easy way to maintain the tools’ razor edges that are already sharp, so this device should be used at the end of each carving session, ensuring that your new tool stays sharp. The SlipStrop has been specially moulded to allow for polishing and deburring the hard-to-reach areas on the inside of V-tools and gouges, as well as the outside-edge bevel. The SlipStrop includes a small bar of Flexcut Gold polishing compound, which has been specially formulated to quickly polish hardened steel. Any surface can be used to strop as long as the compound has been applied. To strop the outside of the tool, use the flat leather side of the strop. The bevel of the tool should be placed flat against the strop and the pulled away to prevent it from digging in. To strop the inside of your tool you will need to find the correct profile on the ridged side, making sure your tool fits perfectly: V for the V shaped tools and the U for the U shaped tool. If the strop doesn’t fit the exact shape of the tool use the largest radius or angle that will fit the entire depth of the cutting edge. The tool should be tilted up slightly and pulled away from the edge, repeat this stroke motion until the tool is sharp.
Japanese Combination Waterstone
The Japanese Combination Waterstone is a large flat stone that with frequent use will guarantee that the tools’ edges will always be at their best. The soft bonds of the stone allow for a fresh abrasive surface that are continually exposed to the tool being sharpened, resulting in fast and precise sharpening . Before use, the Japanese Combination Waterstone must be soaked in water for at least 10 minutes. Make sure you do not leave it in the water! To use, place on a non-slip base, like a rubber mat, and pull the bevel of your tool across the surface. Use the full surface of the stone and rinse off the debris to stop any paste from forming. This stone comes with two levels of grit, 1000 is the blue side for sharpening and 3000 is the yellow side for polishing.
Red Sharpening & Grey Finishing Stone
These small Japanese stones can be held in the hand and are perfect for sharpening the inside of U and V gouge tools. The size of the stone allows for finer precision when sharpening than the other tools, with a tapered side for V gouge tools and a curved side for U gouge tools. The Red Sharpening Stone has a grit of 1000, which can be used first if your tools are blunt, and the Grey Finishing Stone has a grit of 4000 used to polish off your tools. Like the Japanese Combination Waterstone these stones must be soaked before use. Pull the tool across the tapered or curved edge of the stone with the tool tilted slightly upwards. Remove any debris from the stones to stop a paste from forming as this will make the stone less abrasive.
Whetstone Set From Japan
The Whetstone Set from Japan comes with 4 handy stones ranging in grits to sharpen tools, as well as a stone to flatten the surface of other stones. Much like the Japanese Combination Waterstone and the Red & Grey Stones, these stones require soaking or dampening before use. The set contains a rough stone used to sharpen the tool, a middle stone to remove the burr and two finishing stones to polish the tools – one block and one thin stone with a curved and tapered end (much like the Red & Grey Stones). To sharpen the outside of the tools pull the bevel of your tool across the surface. For sharpening the inside of the tool pull the tool across the tapered or curved edge of the small finishing stone with the tool tilted slightly upwards. Use the full surface of the stone, a paste will form which can be used as a good lubricant, however make sure to rinse off at the end as it will effect the stone and clog up the surface.
Arkansas Stones
The Arkansas stones are small but mighty and are great for polishing your tools. They are Genuine Arkansas Stone which is among the finest and strongest of stones. These stones are available in various shapes depending on what type of tool you need to sharpen: Knife, Round, Square and Triangle and also in a handy Set of 4. All stones are used for honing gouges, U and V shaped tools and are ideal for removing the burr from very fine tools where other stones may be too large. Light engineering oil such as 3-in-1 should be used when using this stone to act as a lubricant. Pull the tool across the tapered or curved edge of the stone with the tool tilted slightly upwards.
Large Round Combi Stone
The Large Round Combi Stone is a double sided stone that is ideal for sharpening Mezzotint Rockers. This double sided stone has two types of grit, one side a medium/fine (dark grey) and the other side a fine (red). To sharpen your Mezzotint Rocker you will need to have a Pole Rocker Sharpener. Carefully remove the handle with a rubber mallet to expose just the metal. Place the tool all the way through the hole in the Pole Rocker Sharpener with the teeth pointing away from the pole and tighten with the screw. Make sure to lubricate your stone with oil such as 3-in-1. Draw along the edge of the bevel with a Sharpie as this will help to show which areas have been sharpened. Place the Pole Rocker on your worktop and angle the Mezzotint bevel on the stone. Move around in a circular motion to sharpen. Check the sharpened angle of the edge to see if the Sharpie has all disappeared. For a more acute angle place a sheet of copper under just the Pole Rocker to lift the angle. Wipe any residue away with a cloth or tissue. Be patient and take your time!
Spyderco Ceramic Pocket Stone
The Spyderco Ceramic Pocket Stone is ideal for sharpening engraving tools. This stone is made from ‘High Alumia Ceramic’ and is fired in a kiln at temperatures in excess of 1600 celsius. It is fine-grit with dense particles so will create razor sharp edges and will show little wear over time. It has the ability to cut any metal known to man! The Spyderco does not require any lubricants such as oil or water and can be easily cleaned with household cleanser, a scouring pad, and water. To sharpen your tool, place the flat edge flat against the stone’s surface. With pressure move the tool right and left until completely level. A Crocker Sharpener and Burin Sharpener can both help in keeping the tool flat against the stone
Sharpening Stone Hot Tips
- Sharpies are great for drawing over the tools edge to see where you have and haven’t sharpened
- Make sure you know which lubricant to use with your stone
- Work slowly, do not rush!
- Sharpen the outside of a tool before the inside
- Don’t be scared. Go on give it a go.
