How to sharpen a spokeshave

[Rutgers]

A guy at from church turned me onto old hand tools, and about a year ago showed me how to sharpen a spokeshave. This is something I had a hard time with for a long time, but after he showed me, and I've done it a few times, it isn't bad if you have the right spokeshave for softer wood. I like the Dunlap type myself. For those of you who bought one from me, this will keep it working well for you.

If you are carving working decoys out of cedar or basswood, a good spokeshave is a must in my opinion.

You may have to save and then enlarge this to be able to read it well.

 

[Bob B]

Will also add that a piece of leather glued to a board and then smeared with lapping compound makes for one sharp edge. Easier to camp off the end of a work bench and then hone with your normal grip on the spokeshave handles.
A picture would be worth a thousand words but I dont have one.
Lee?????Care to "Draw one"

 

[wis boz]

Copied it---thanks!!
wis boz

 

[Lee Harker]

Works great if the blade isn't warped and if you don't "bear" down on the stone. If you put a lot of force down, the blade will bow and you end up taking more off the center than the outside edges. I like to clamp the blade to a straight surface with the edge off the side and move the stone crosswise to the edge like using a block plane....then finish up with a strop. If the knife is really dull, have it sharpened professionally, then keep it sharp with a strop.