Tool Sharpening - QOTW
Question of the Week - 1.26.25
Hi Daniel, my name is Jean-Anne….I have a BS in graphics design. In college one of my favorite classes was printmaking. My daughter is 16 and driving, so I finally have a bit of time for myself. This Fall I started doing linocut and paint carving. I’m so excited and happy doing it. It’s magic. I love your posts. They are so inspiring and helpful. What I need advice on is tool sharpening. I think I almost ruined a v gauge in a wet stone. I’d love more info on how to do that.
Thank you and look forward to more newsletters.
Jean-Anne.Wheeling, WV
Jean-Anne you are not the only one who has gone through this. This is actually a very common rite of passage for all printmakers!
If you are using a lino cutter with interchangeable blades like the Speedball Linoleum Cutter or its Blick cousin; these cutters are meant to allow you the ability to switch the steel blade when necessary. I often have spare steel blades on reserve for when one gets too dull. Their prices are low enough to where I don’t have to worry about honing or sharpening them. Although these tools are marketed as “lino cutters” they are actually better suited for soft rubber materials like easy carve blocks.
If you are working with a traditional wood handle carver, like Power Grip or Flexcut, then I would first make sure you get a slip strop and polishing compound before pulling out a whetstone. You could alternatively use a piece of leather and some polishing compound. These types of blades are stronger and will retain their sharpness longer than a linocutter blade.
I personally do not bring out the whetstone until the shape of the blade has been compromised or the gouge is extremely dull. Using a whetstone is an art all to itself. If you are not sure if your gouges are dulled out, try placing the blade against your fingernails. If the blade slips on your fingernail when you push down its time to hone it. If the blade catches on your nail, then it's sharp.
Be mindful not to push down to the point you cut a finger please, only a gentle nudge down will be enough.
Here is an older Instagram video explaining my sharpening process of a V-gouge utilizing a whetstone and slip strop.
To hone a V-gouge blade with a slip strop, apply honing compound to the flat side of the strop. Start by honing the outer bevel, holding the blade at its natural angle (about 20-25°) and pulling it towards you. Make sure to not carve into the slipstrop. Repeat this process evenly on both sides. Next, hone the inner edge by running it through the strop’s V-groove with gentle, consistent strokes.
Finish by polishing the outer bevel on a flat strop section and inspecting for a uniform, burr-free edge. The burr can be hard to see but you can feel it if you run your finger through it. This becomes harder to do on smaller gouges like the 1mm V-gouge, for this I usually use a toothpick to get a feel of the blade. Regular honing keeps your gouges sharp and ready for clean carving.
Because we all learn differently, I plan on recording a video where I go in detail about different types of gouges, whetstones, and how to use them. Once have it I’ll share.
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