Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Sharpening angle for plane iron
Lee Schierer - McKean, PA
>I just became the owner of a Stanley Bailey No 3 plane and was going to sharpen the iron. It is hard to tell what the angle was, because it is rounded. What is the prefered or optimum angle for sharpening the iron in this plane. I plane to use a verias honing guide and scary sharp methjod to sharpen it. Is 35 degrees better than 30 degrees?
Thanks,
Lee
Re: Sharpening angle for plane iron
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>I sharpen all my bench plane irons at 30�. 35� will not penetrate as well, although the edge would last longer. Sharpening angle is a tradeoff between the ease of penetration versus durability of the edge. I cut a block at 30� and attached it to a base, which I use to set my honing guide.
Re: Sharpening angle for plane iron
HC Sakman
>On bevel-down bench planes, I found beyond 30 degree bevel increases the feed resistance IMO without adding a great deal to the performance unless you're dealing with some abrasive woods.
Lower the angle of the bevel, shorter the life of the edge if you're planing very hard woods.
Chico...
As said...
Scott Burr in rainy Ben Lomond,CA
>30 deg. is an all around good angle. For softer woods you can use a 25 deg. bevel. For really wild hardwood you might want to try a back bevel.