VERITAS Mk.II, Manual

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55
General Sharpening Procedures
you can simulate this
by shaping the heel
into a sharp V so that
in use the heel will
press into the bottom
of the cut and make it
appear crisper than it
really is. This is only
a makeshift solution,
and the bottom of the
parting tool should be
dressed out as soon as
possible so that there is
a crisp V there.
Wing Sweep
For a general-purpose
parting tool, you want
the wings to rise at
90° to the axis of the
tool (see the drawing
below). With the wings
square, in use they will
always be leading the
heel of the tool. This is
necessary so that the edges of the chip are severed before
the bottom. If the wings were swept backward, the heel
of the tool would have to be forced through the wood
and, particularly dangerous, as the cut was ending the
heel could be snapped off in an attempt to lever out of
the cut. Wings that are square to the axis of the tool are
actually swept forward in relation to the bevel so that the
heel is not trapped as the tool comes out of the wood.
For long and deep cuts where there are no sharp curves,
some carvers like to put a fair amount of forward sweep
on the wings so that the chip releases more easily. This
is more a matter of personal preference than necessity.
Wing Sweep
Parting-Tool Profile
Sharpen the bevel of a parting tool over the platen on a belt
sander, with the tool held more or less horizontal and the
wing edge roughly parallel to the belt travel.
Hone the inside of a parting tool on a custom-made
wooden form charged with honing compound. (Photos by
Susan Kahn)
Alternatively, you can clamp the parting tool in a vise and
use a slipstone on the inside.
Ideal
Defective
Defect corrected
Square
Swept back
Swept forward