Hello, woodcarving aficionados! If you’re gearing up to carve your next spoon or bowl but find that your hooks are in need of sharpening, you’re in luck. I recently faced a similar situation myself.
Not too long ago, I returned to some of my hook knives and realized their blades needed refreshing. My old strop was completely worn out, so I decided to invest in a new one. A few days later, I received the BeaverCraft hook sharpening set. After trying it out, I thought it would be beneficial to share my experience. Keep in mind that my perspective is just one of many; different workshops and skill levels have different needs. So, read on, consider your options, and choose the hook sharpening kit that best suits you.
Understanding Knife Sharpness
Experienced woodcarvers will be familiar with this, but for those new to woodcarving, here’s a quick overview. A sharp knife has two essential qualities:
- The blade is sufficiently thin.
- The blade is properly aligned.
To achieve these qualities, you hone the blade using either sandpaper, leather, or sometimes both. Some people use a compound on the leather to enhance the abrasive properties of the strop.
In woodcarving, you’ll encounter chisels, gauges, and hooks—tools with round and bent blades. These require specialized sharpeners. While some people craft their own, commercial sharpeners are available in various shapes depending on the manufacturer. One such sharpener is discussed in the next section.
BeaverCraft Wood Carving Strop: Review
BeaverCraft is a well-regarded name in the woodcarving community. Their kit includes a wooden handle with an attached leather strap, a polishing bar compound, and two pieces of sandpaper.
Setting up the strop is straightforward. You’ll receive a tutorial video with your purchase or find one online. First, attach the sandpaper to the tool using two thin sticks inserted into small crevices to hold the sandpaper in place. Apply the compound to the leather, and you’re ready to start!
The beauty of this tool is its versatility: it works for both hook knives and chisels, and can be used for both polishing (with the cowhide leather side) and light sharpening (with the sandpaper side). It’s also effective for other curved and uniquely shaped blades, making it a valuable addition to any workshop. After just a few slow strops, my tools performed like new. The quality of the leather and compound bar is consistent with BeaverCraft’s high standards.
BeaverCraft LS5P1 Wood Carving Strop Wood Carving Gouge Hook Knife
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality materials.
- Effective sharpening.
- Smooth and well-designed.
- Suitable for many curved blades (hook knives and chisels, though not all dimensions).
Cons:
- The sandpaper attachment mechanism can be problematic.
Conclusion
Good tools and their maintenance are crucial in any woodcarving workshop. Blades inevitably dull over time, including those used for carving intricate designs.
If you prefer a pre-made sharpener, especially as a beginner, BeaverCraft’s strop is a solid option, though setting up the sandpaper can be challenging. Experienced carvers might find it beneficial to customize their own strops, but this BeaverCraft model is worth considering if you’re looking to add another strop to your collection.
