Sharpening Jig Plan – Hand Plane Blade Sharpening Guide

Overall

Beginner woodworkers and carpenters in Japan start by practicing sharpening over and over. As Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Both Japanese woodworkers and Lincoln recognize that sharpening preparation is the most important task.

However, I do not recommend spending too much time on sharpening. Instead, use a jig to quickly and accurately make a sharp edge. This jig is specifically designed for sharpening plane blades. It can be made from very inexpensive materials, yet it offers sufficient functionality even when compared to high-end jigs. In fact, I believe the blade clamping method surpasses that of premium tools. Using a well-sharpened blade will dramatically improve your woodworking skills, and at the same time, I promise it will greatly increase your enjoyment for woodworking.

Watch the jig in action →

Included Knowledge in the Plan

• Guidelines for achieving functional precision
• Jig setup for sharpening to the exact target blade angle
• What angle should the cutting edge be set to?