OK, it's been 2 days since a sharpening thread started, we're way past due:
Relative newbie, I'm using scary sharp on plane irons & chisels. It is working wonders on the plane irons, those fluffy shavings never cease to amaze me.
On the chisels, I'm not so sure. I'm flattening the backs for the first 1" or so of my bench chisels. After working up to 2000 grit, they easily shave leg hair, but the Garrett Hack test of shaving end-grain pine and making sure the cut is smooth across makes more sense to me. they will do this, but not with the back flat against the wood, unless I press the blade down hard with a thumb. Is that indicating an accidental back-bevel? I'm using a 30* micro-bevel with a jig. I've free-handed and can't tell any difference with/without the jig.
Also, how "easy" should the end-grain shaving be? I have to go fairly hard to get a shaving.
Thanks,
James