AeroModeller – June 2018

(C. Jardin) #1

How To


KEEPING THOSE


BLADES SHARP -


CUTTING EDGE REVISITED


CHRIS OTTEWELL SHARES WILL KNIGHT’S EXPERIENCE ON SHARPENING BLADES


A


while ago Will Knight
wrote to me from Colerne
in Wiltshire to tell me how
he keeps his blades razor
sharp and his experience
and advice is well worth sharing.
Like me, most of you are familiar with
the use of an oilstone and have one
handy in the workshop. Will though is

an expert who is willing to share his
knowledge.

He told me that:
“The stone is a hard Arkansas, more
familiar to woodworkers than modellers.
The one I use is made specifi cally for
small blades such as scalpels.”
Apparently, “Arkansas” is natural

quartz obtainable in several grades but
the size he shows in his drawing is only
available in hard grade. This means that
it will take a little work but will maintain
a superb edge on a Swann Morton or
similar scalpel blade. As Swann Morton
blades are hollow ground in the factory,
that fi rst re-sharpen will obviously take
a little longer, but they will last a very

Is there more life in those discarded knife blades?

KNIFE SHARPEN.indd 22 26/04/2018 15:36

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