Quote Originally Posted by Joe Tilson View Post
The video by Paul Sellers is exactly how my papaw Tilson used to do it. Another thing came across my mind. (look out!) Our forefathers were probably fairly stronger than we are today, as they worked every day with these tools. I know some here do that very thing, and I don't think they would to sharpen to the finer grit, in order to push a plane or chisel through wood. Let us know what you think, those of you who work every day.
In 1962 I was given a fine India stone and trained to sharpen. I was taught to keep a constant angle. When I got my first Arkansas stone, I noticed the difference right away and have used it ever since. There is improvement in both ease and quality of work. Even for rough work, where the surface does not show, the trivial time it takes to finish off the edge pays dividends in ease of work and edge longevity.

Fine oil stones, whether Arkansas stones, Turkey stones, or native stones have been used in England for centuries.