I don't mean to destroy your romance with sharpening . . .

[steven c newman]

That would depend on WHO made the chisels for Sears, as Sears never made a single tool, ever. Always a contract was let out every now and then. You stood about as much a chance of the chisels being Stanley No.60 clones as you did a PEXTO one. Just the way Sears did every tools they sold. Sold, not made. Just the same as a tool bought at Montgomery Wards.

I have three Sears labeled chisels, and three marked as Stanley No. 60......other than the silk screen labels on each, they are the same chisels. Meh....

[george wilson]

FWW mentioned that the chisels they tested were made in Holland.

I think everyone knows that Sears never made any tools.

[Dave Kelley]

Remember guys/gals he said "I love pretty much all woodworkers" so not all woodworkers. Hang him!

[Luke Dupont]

I remember that FWW article comparing chisels. The Sears ones were the worst,as mentioned. They were made in Holland,and only had about .50% carbon. Just enough to harden,but very poor on abrasion resistance. So,they didn't retain an edge well at all. I'll bet they saved at least a PENNY on every half dozen chisels they made!!

This is what happens when you let accountants run things, right?

[Chris Fournier]

I have no romance with sharpening, it's just a task in my shop that requires me to move quickly and efficiently to a sharp tool edge so that I can get on with the romance of building my designs in wood and metal.

[Jim Koepke]

This is what happens when you let accountants run things, right?

Don't get me started on the bean counters...

jtk

[John Blazy]

I have no romance with sharpening, it's just a task in my shop that requires me to move quickly and efficiently to a sharp tool edge so that I can get on with the romance of building my designs in wood and metal.

Kin I git a witness !!!

[John Gomes]

He may have meant that he loves 'pretty woodworkers', which would certainly narrow down the number!

[John Schtrumpf]

I have no romance with sharpening, it's just a task in my shop that requires me to move quickly and efficiently to a sharp tool edge so that I can get on with the romance of building my designs in wood and metal.

Kin I git a witness !!!

Canadians don't lie

[Frank Martin]

I like this thread! Thanks for starting.

This whole point is exactly the reason I am moving to a grinder and two Spyderco stones with free hand sharpening without a honing guide. Perhaps I can go down to even one stone. This is the system Derek and several others here have been advocating. As with most things in life any fool can complicate things, but experience, wisdom and sometimes genius are needed to simplify.

[Craig Regan]

Do I need a "sharpening altar" to perform this "sharpening ceremony" that you speak of?

[Tom Stenzel]

I might have to watch the movie "Romancing the Stone" again for Kathleen Turner, er I mean sharpening tips.

-Tom

[Robert Engel]

Hello.

My name is Robert.

I love to sharpen.

[Jim Koepke]

With all this knowhow, why is it modern man cannot as yet make a blade that compares with the Samurai ?

Modern man can make a blade to compare with the Samurai. Nobody wants to pay what it would cost to have someone make it.

jtk

[Brian Holcombe]

With all this knowhow, why is it modern man cannot as yet make a blade that compares with the Samurai ?

In terms of edged tools I think research will provide that blacksmithing was improved by smiths who brought science to the art. There are also a few making katana in the traditional methods, which were and are incredibly refined.