B Sharp w/ The Cutting Edge

No DULLARDS we! who gathered at the Taghhannuck Grange hall on February 16th for Motherhouse's first tool sharpening gathering. Observing the old New England farming tradition of spending cold winter evenings sharpening tools in preparation for spring;

we brought our kitchen knives, scythes, loppers, wood chisels, scissors and more to receive the expert care and sharpening wizzardry of  the West Cornwall Farmers Market's Knic the Knife

and Battle Hill Forge's Willy Blass

 

Willy showed us how to use a straight file for scythe blades, axes, and loppers.

 Knic taught the difference between sharpening tools: a diamond "steel" is made of ceramic imbedded with  diamond powder and is handy for touching up one's sharpened knives and blades while using them. Arkansas stones are natural stones. Japanese stones require water to create a grinding paste while you sharpen. Composite stones require oil to carry away the grit so it doesn't fill the stone's pores. However SANDPAPER makes a very good sharpening tool! We fastened 220 and 400 wet-or-dry grit sandpaper to a foot long 2X4, added a few drops mineral oil and after finishing up with pieces of 600 and finally 1500 grit paper...

 Voila! Soon had very sharp knives!

As Knic demonstrated one of his favorite sharpening tools; a narrow belt sander, 

Willy pointed out the "crowsfoot" sparks indicating that Sharon's farm knife is made of carbon steel versus straight sparks produced when grinding stainless or hardened steel. When using electric grinding tools one must be careful not to overheat the metal and ruin it's temper.  None of us lost our tempers that night and we all feel a little sharper than before. Thanks to Willy and Knic for a really GRIT show!