Finally, a sharpening book that keeps it simple! Woodworker's Guide to Sharpening covers everything you need to know to keep your tools sharp: Sharpening safety - The characteristics of steel - Bench stones, water stones, and oilstones - Diamond and ceramic sharpeners - The ins and outs of sandpaper and leather - Setting sharpening angles, changing bevel settings, and using jigs - Sharpening machines, methods, and stations - How to put a sharp edge on every cutting tool in your shop There is no "right" way to sharpen, only your way! Woodworking with dull tools is frustrating, unproductive, and potentially dangerous. If you want to enjoy woodworking, you need to keep your tools sharp. However, with so many sharpening methods available, this necessary and very basic skill has become confusing and intimidating. In this complete guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the many methods, tools, and accessories for successful sharpening so you can confidently select the one that works best for you. With Woodworker's Guide to Sharpening , professional woodworker John English keeps it simple: the correct way to sharpen is the way that works best for you. To help you identify which technique fits your style, this 168-page guide clearly and comprehensively presents all you need to know about every sharpening method, from safety, steel characteristics, and water stones to how to sharpen on diamond plates, use back bevels, and choose a sharpening machine. In addition, to give you creative and practical ideas for designing your very own sharpening station, you'll get a look at the sharpening setups of some of America's best professional woodworkers, including Norm Abrams, David J. Marks, Sam Maloof, Larry Heinonen, James Krenov, Mark Koons, Cindy Drozda, and the author himself, John English. Learn all the methods you need to stay sharp in the shop while getting a glimpse at how many of today's finest craftsmen do it, with Woodworker's Guide to Sharpening ! There is No Joy in Dullness Woodworking with dull tools is like sailing with a dropped anchor; it's frustrating, unproductive, and potentially dangerous. If you want to enjoy woodworking, you need to keep your tools sharp. However, with so many sharpening methods available, this necessary and very basic skill has become confusing and intimidating. In the end, what's the "right" method? With Woodworker's Guide to Sharpening , professional woodworker John English keeps it simple: the "right" way to sharpen is the way that works best for you. To help you identify which technique fits your style, Woodworker's Guide to Sharpening clearly and comprehensively presents all you need to know about every sharpening method, including: Sharpening safety - The characteristics of steel - Bench stones, water stones, and oilstones - Diamond and ceramic sharpeners - The ins and outs of sandpaper and leather - Sharpening angles, bevels, and jigs - Sharpening machines - How to put a sharp edge on every cutting tool in your shop And, to give you creative and practical ideas for designing your very own sharpening station, you'll get a look at the sharpening setups of some of America's best professional woodworkers, including: Norm Abrams - David J. Marks - Sam Maloof - Larry Heinonen - James Krenov - Mark Koons - Cindy Drozda JOHN ENGLISH has been a cabinetmaker and furniture builder since the early 1980s. A former editor of Woodworker's Journal , English is a contributing editor at Woodcraft Magazine , and also writes for several other leading publications including Woodshop News and American Woodworker . His work has appeared in about two dozen books. He is the publisher of Woodezine , an online magazine for woodworkers, and is the program director at the Black Hills School of Woodworking. John English is a contributing editor of Woodcraft Magazine and a former editor of Today's Woodworker . His work has appeared in numerous woodworking magazines, including American How-To , Fine Woodworking , and Woodshop News , and his syndicated how-to and home repair columns have appeared in newspapers across the United States. He is the author of The Building Buddy , Toys & Accessories , Woodworking Essentials , and Workshop Projects . He lives in Casper, Wyoming.