Sharpen a Carving Gouge + Texturizing Wood

About This Workshop

This workshop will discuss the basics of a sharp edge and how to get the best performance from your tools. We’ll discuss the general concepts of sharpening and how these can be applied to any tool, then move on to step-by-step guidance of sharpening a carving gouge using abrasive papers attached to a bench hook. This methodical approach will break down the process in a way that is both accessible to those who are new to sharpening, and useful to others who are looking for ways to improve their skills. Any and all questions are greatly encouraged, especially the ones we’ve been taught to think we should already know the answer to.

Next we’ll cover how to test our edge for sharpness before using it on wood, then discuss how to touch up spots that may not have passed the test. Simple texture patterns and applications techniques will be demonstrated to help you make powerful, safe cuts on a scrap piece of wood, and we’ll wrap things up by talking about how to store and keep tool edges in top shape.

Workshop Timing Overview

30 mins: Intro & Overview
75 mins: Sharpening demo & hands-on sharpening
15 mins: Water / Bathroom break
30 mins: Texture carving demo & hands-on carving
30 mins: Questions & Wrap Up

Workshop PDFs

[Español] Descargar PDF: Aprender a Afilar una Gubia de Tallado y Aplicar Textura

Live workshop held April 24, 2021

For this workshop, some materials are needed in order to participate in real time.
Here’s what you will need to have ready:

Materials NOT included in the Material Packet

Good light source - natural or otherwise

Clamp to hold sharpening board down on work surface - may help but is not necessary
Pen and paper to take notes
Sharpie or marker
Rag to wipe off metal grit from tool
Scissors to cut small piece of .5 micron paper if not supplied with pre-made packet
Piece of scrap paper to test sharpness

Materials Included in the Material Packet

MDF bench hook with stop blocks. The MDF (medium density fiberboard) serves as a flat reference surface on which to attach the abrasive paper with spray adhesive. The extra pieces on each face allow you to push it up against a table and help stabilize it without the need of a clamp, and also as a stop to hold the wood scrap while carving. If you do make your own, be mindful that any inconsistencies in the surface will transfer through the paper and make sharpening difficult. Smooth, tight-grained wood or even a piece of glass can work as a substitute. MDF or similar products can be found at most home supply stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s etc. Material ½” or ¾” thick works best, and often it can be purchased in partial sheets straight off the shelf. Cut a piece approx 8” x 10” for the main board, then (2) 1”x 8”pieces to create the stops. Attach the stops with glue or 1” self-piloting wood screws (being sure not to drive them deep so they don’t poke through).

Abrasive Paper - 1 sheet 600x - If making your own bench hook, attach an approx 2” x 5” strip to the top part of the board (after the stop is attached) with spray adhesive. Label the grit number next to the strip.
Abrasive Paper - 1 sheet each of 15, 5, and .5 micron - If making your own bench hook, attach an approx 2” x 5” strip of each grit to the board, in this same order from top to bottom. So from the top, down it will go 600x, 15 micron, 5 micron, .5 micron.
3/14 Pfeil/Swiss Made carving gouge (any gouge between a 3-5 sweep, and 10-16mm)
Wood Scrap, approx 5” (L) x 4” (W) x 2” thick -The packet will come with a soft wood like fir or spruce, but any fairly straight grained wood will do. We’ll be applying texture to this piece with the newly sharpened gouge.