Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>Using your expression of "Enough said," combined with your comment re Marks, "Do you intend to say that David Marks is the gospel on Japanese tools?" is a bit confrontive and implies at least you think he is let's say, giving a bad example. Sorry if that's not what you meant, but is how I took it. And based on your reply to me, I think that is a correct interpretation. Could be wrong. Have been before.

Not fair, Mike. First, "enough said" is not an expression I ever used. Second, I said I was responding to your interpretation, not to anything Vijay said (I asked him what he'd meant, he replied below, that's as simple as it gets in my view). I probably was a bit hostile to you, but only because you seemed to assume a lot about what Vijay said and then demanded my response based on that assumption. I don't respond well to command mode.

Now, on to the topic. Yes, hollow grinding is probably misunderstood; but not necessarily by me. I know what it is, some advantages, some disadvantages, and none of it matters to me when it comes to laminated edge tools. Yep, closed mind for the moment.

I think most methods of sharpening are valid on woodworking handtools. Some take longer, some less. Some use water, some oil, some dry. Some use wheels, man-made stones, sandpaper, etc. None of those properly used will hurt laminated or non-laminated blades. To teach otherwise perpetuates sharpening myths.

I agree with all of this. I have no illusions about hollow grinding, et al, hurting chisels. I've done all of these methods (except for hollow grinding Japanese edges) at one time or another with varying degrees of success. And I never said that all those craftsmen who do get it wrong. But that is not what this is about. To me, this is about maximizing laminated chisel use, the performance and pleasure and results in wood.

Pam