Man that IBC A2 steel is hard to sharpen

[reible]

I picked up a Pinnacle No. 151 flat spokeshave the other day and wanted to get it ready for use. It comes "sharp" but not the way I like edges. Step one was to get the "back" flat. You can see a uniform swirl pattern and it took a long time to get it close to a mirror finish. I can still see a few marks if I look hard enough.

They say it is cryogenically treated, double tempered Pinnacle/IBC A2 steel blade hardened to Rc 60-62 and this is my first experience with it. I use a sandpaper on glass method, 8 grades from start to finish. Now I know I should be putting new sandpaper on it but I figured I could get one last use out of it and besides I was too lazy to go get the new paper.

I decided to take it easy and do the angle at a micro bevel rather then doing the whole edge at this time. That went pretty well since there was less to do. Next time I'll have to do the full face.

It looks to be a nice tool and I'm looking forward to using it soon. If it meets my needs I will add the radius version.

You can see them at woodcraft:

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/pinn ... spokeshave

Up coming project will see if it's worth it. My other spokeshaves are all smaller, they work but I expect these work better and of course they are larger............

If anyone has one I'd like to hear what you think, already to late to return it but I have a good feeling so go easy on me if you don't like yours.

Ed

[garys]

The harder a tool is to sharpen, the better it holds an edge once it is sharp. So, the time it took is time well spent. You get your reward once you start using it.

[JPG]

Does brittle come with that hardness?

[nuhobby]

I do hear that A2 can fracture more readily that O1 steel, but it's not a problem if the edge-bevel is >= 30 degrees.

Looking forward to some beauty shots of that Pinnacle; they look cool!

Chris

[robinson46176]

I am in the middle of a love affair with diamond hones... They don't care about hard steel.
Under flowing water they cut quite fast. I do need to buy a finer one than I have.


.

[BuckeyeDennis]

I am in the middle of a love affair with diamond hones... They don't care about hard steel.
Under flowing water they cut quite fast. I do need to buy a finer one than I have.


.

What kind of hone do you have, farmer? I've been thinking I need one, but I don't really know what to get.

[reible]

I am in the middle of a love affair with diamond hones... They don't care about hard steel.
Under flowing water they cut quite fast. I do need to buy a finer one than I have.


.

I wish I was having a love affair with my diamond stone. I got the Smith's orange one which is 750 grit. I did try it here but it is to fine to remove things fast. I guess I should get a couple of other grits to be fair. Better move them up the list so I'll get to try them on the next sharpening event. No use having the tools if you can't sharpen them.

IMG_3478sc.jpg (284.62 KiB) Viewed 5912 times

I have some diamond paddles which I do like for doing touch ups on everything from drills and router bits to pen end mills. Got a set of 3 in a package deal but they are only for touch ups.

Ed