question on sharpening

[old folks]

If I bought a skew with a convex bevel could it be sharpened using a diamond plate ? Or some other method by hand ?
Thank you

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have heard more than one teaching master turner say "It's your tool. Do what you want with it." The bevel you are talking about can be very difficult to sharpen. Knife makers call it an 'apple seed' grind. Done right it can be very sharp and long lasting. For wood turning, I have no idea what the advantage/disadvantage might be. I wouldn't buy one like that. But, if given to me, I would grind flat.

 

[jcollazo]

I have a skew that I put the convex edge on (like Alan Lacer). Although I had watched Lacer's videos a good number of times, I found that to keep that edge took a bit more effort than I wanted to put out. I've since gone back to the plain angled edge.

 

[low_48]

Here is the sharpening jig you would want to buy;
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32976&cat=1,43072
Honing would be a different matter. I use japanese water stones to hone the bevel. I hold the stone in my hand and stroke across the bevel. I don't care for diamond stones for really fine honing, they are too course.

 

[Gary Max]

John I think Alan has some pointers on his web site. I was lucky enough to get a first hand lesson from Mr Lacer last year(gloat). He makes it VERY easy.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Originally posted by low_48
<br />Here is the sharpening jig you would want to buy;
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32976&cat=1,43072
Honing would be a different matter. I use japanese water stones to hone the bevel. I hold the stone in my hand and stroke across the bevel. I don't care for diamond stones for really fine honing, they are too course.

That illustration showed an edge quite different than what I would think of as a 'convex' edge. I would call that skew something close to a curved scraper. My comments about the 'apple seed' edge are not applicable to what this item is.