Sharp Tools

There is something satisfying about having and using sharp tools in a woodshop. When Mom and Dad left the farm, we were given access to most everything before the big estate sale. I ran across this old draw knife in Dad's massive amount of tools and decided to ask to keep it. Of course, the answer was yes. I don't know the history of the knife and don't remember Dad ever using one but its old handles just said pick me. A few years ago after building my shop, I decided to refurbish the knife, I cleaned up the years of grease and dirt, sanded and applied finish to the handles, and sharpened the blade. You see it here on a piece of live-edge walnut after I removed the bark. It just feels good when you can control such a tool to draw fine curls and end up with a smooth - though uneven as desired - edge to the wood. A light sanding and the edges are ready. The most likely product will be a charcuterie board after adding some handles and deciding what to do with the cut ends (not squared off like you see).

In the second photo, you see the shavings using a block plane to round over sharp edges on serving trays I made. A sharp block plane produces a nicer result than a router where possible (outside edges). You see the two serving trays in the last two photos (walnut, cherry, maple). I have absolutely zero idea what I will do with these pieces of wood. They don't fit our general lifestyle but they are pretty to have though I already have items scattered through the house.

Thanks,

Doug White

https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/