I’ve been woodworking for more than 30 years, and I’ve seen a boatload of different ways to sharpen chisels and planer blades. I was taught ‘old school’ using a whetstone and holding the blade in my hand. You need to keep the bevel absolutely flat if you want a keen edge, but the natural inclination is to rock it as you push backwards and forwards. You can get pretty good, but it does take time to master. It’s enough to drive a beginner woodworker nuts!
I’ve also seen lots of tips for sharpening chisels on YouTube. Some of them pretty useful, some of them just plain dumb. So how would I do it if I was starting out now? Or if I was looking for the best way to sharpen chisel and planer blades quickly and easily? I’d buy a jig. Often called a honing guide. If you buy a decent one, it will last you years and save you hours of frustration. I’ve got a couple of options that I think are best for sharpening chisels and planer blades, and one that’s also good for knives. So let’s get to it.
If you just want the quick links and not my reasons for recommending them, here you go:
Best budget chisel sharpening jig: Atlin Honing Guide
Best overall chisel sharpening jig: Saker Honing Guide and Diamond Whetstone
Best all-round sharpening kit: YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Set
The Atlin Honing Guide
For under 20 bucks, the Atlin honing guide will give you a quick, no-fuss way to keep your edges sharp. The cast aluminum body incorporates two clamps for chisels from 1/8” to 1-7/8” and planer blades (some people call them plane irons) from 1-3/8” to 3-1/8”. There are also quick-set markings for 25° and 30°. A thumbwheel allows rapid clamping, and there’s a hardened steel roller. You get illustrated step-by-step instructions too, so you’ve got no excuses 😉 Add a whetstone or diamond stone, and you’re good to go.
Saker Honing Guide and Diamond Whetstone
The Saker chisel and planer sharpening kit has to be one of the best-value honing combos on the market. For under 40 bucks, you get a precision-made guide that adjusts from 3/16” to 2-1/2”. That maximum is less than the Atlin but more than enough for most bench plane blades. It has the same kind of thumbscrew for clamping, but there’s also a lock so there’s no chance of it working loose. The body is aluminum, and the roller is wide, so it’s more stable than the Atlin. Sharpening angles can be anywhere from 15° to 40°.
It also comes with a double-sided diamond sharpening stone with 400 and 1000 grits in a convenient holder. I like diamond stones because they don’t wear like traditional whetstones, so they’re always flat, and you don’t have to mess about dressing them. If you had to buy a separate guide and stone, you would be spending the same if not more, which is what makes this such a good deal. If I was shopping for one today, this is what I would buy.
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Set
I doubt you’ll find a more comprehensive chisel, planer, and knife sharpening set than the one from YeopAsda, and at around 40 bucks, it’s another example of great value. What you get for your money is… wait for it… a honing guide for chisels and planer blades, an angle guide for knives, two whetstones (one 400/1000, one 3000/8000), a non-slip base, a flattening stone (for when the whetstones wear), a leather strop, green compound for fine polishing, and finally a pair of cut-resistant gloves.
If you want to be fastidious about getting an ultra-sharp edge, then this is the kit for you. The only thing I would say is that the guide for chisel and planer blades has a narrow wheel, like the Atlin, so it’s not quite as stable as the Saker. That said, with a little care you should still be able to get a razor edge on all your tools and your kitchen and pocket knives.
A sharp blade is a joy to use and requires minimal effort. A blunt one isn’t just annoying, it’s also dangerous. You’re more likely to cut yourself because you push or strike too hard and lose control. Sharpening your chisels and planer blades regularly is a good habit to get into, and if you’ve got a decent jig, it isn’t a chore. Any of the above are money well spent.
So do you have a favorite way to sharpen chisels and planer blades you think I should have included? Drop me a line here.
Main image courtesy of Amazon
