A drawknife is a tool used for shaping wood, debarking trees, creating billets, and much more. It consists of a 6 to 10 inches long sharp blade with a bevel on one side. The blade is connected to handles on both sides. The handles are placed at right angle to the blade to ensure a firm grip.
Due to its rough usage, the tool often gets rusty and dull. If you want to obtain the best possible result from using a drawknife then you will have to sharpen it at proper times. Sharpening a draw knife is easy but requires a level of skill as a mishap can cause damage to the tool or in some cases to the user.
How to Sharpen a Drawknife
To help you with the process we have created for you a step-by-step guide on sharpening a drawknife all by yourself. So, let’s get right into it.
Step 1: Precautionary Measures
Sharpening of drawknife can be done with the help of a machine or by a human hand. It is commonly preferred to do it by hand as machines can often damage the surface of the blade by making it too thin and extra sharp.
Before sharpening the blade always make sure that your hands are covered. Use gloves preferably leather ones to avoid cuts during the process. Check the tool you are using for sharpening for damage.
Step 2: Prepare the material
Before you begin to sharpen the drawknife. You first need to clean it properly. Rub the blade with a sandpaper to remove rust and substances stuck to it.
You need to check the extent of damage done to the blade. Stones are used for sharpening objects. The surface of the stone depends on how intense you need to sharpen the drawknife. You need to check the extent of damage done to the blade. If the blade is slightly dull then we use a lighter edge stone whereas if the blade is dull, we use a stone with intense sharp edges.
Step 3: Position the drawknife
There are several ways and postures you can do to sharpen the blade of the drawknife. However, we suggest that you do a standing one as it is the most effective and safe.
Stand straight and hold the knife from one side. Move the blade in the forward direction. The direction of the blade should be perpendicular to your body. Clamp the other side of the drawknife to firm unmovable support. Now place the handle in your hand on your gut. Place it firmly such that it does not fall. Push your body forward to trap the drawknife between your body and the surface.
Step 4: On the Front side of the blade rub the stone in patterns
The sharpening stones come in different weights and sizes. The most common are rectangular mildly thick polished stones with sharp edges. With your posture intact lift a stone and rub it onto the upward surface of the blade.
Do not rub the stone in a random pattern. It damages the blade. You need to rub the stone in a similar pattern throughout the length of the blade. There are two ways to do it. The first is that you move the stone in a to and fro motion across the length of the blade. The other is that you rub the stone in small circular patterns on the blade.
Step 5: Straightening the backside
Once you have completed sharpening the front of the blade then you need to turn it over. As the name suggests you use the drawknife in a way that pushes the blade towards you this often bends the blade from the middle. To fix that we will sharpen the backside as well.
After you are done sharpening the front side of the blade turn it over and rub the sharpening stone across the length of the blade in a to and fro motion. This will straighten the blade from the middle and will fix its posture.
Step 6: Aftercare
When you are done sharpening the blade then take a piece of clean leather and rub it across the blade surface on both sides. This will remove any dust or stone residue present on the blade. Leather is used for cleaning as the sharp edges of the blade can damage the skin.
Why should we Sharpen drawknife?
Avoiding losses
Woodworking is a rough task that delivers delicate art. You need to have properly shaped corners and sides. A wrong cut can cause you loss of material. You can obtain the best possible results only when the tools you are using are in good condition. Even the best craftsmen fail to deliver if their tools are not working accordingly.
Long term usability
Sharpening your drawknife makes it sharper and more functional. Sharp tools make straighter cuts and better angles. It also prevents damaging the material.
Pressure Resistance
Using a drawknife which has rust is hard. As it requires more pressure and creates rough edges and corners. It is also inefficient in removing bark from trees properly. It leaves a rough and unpleasant surface. A rusty unshaped drawknife is more likely to break under pressure. Sharpening makes the knife more effective and ensures long-term usability.
Conclusion
Always use your knife with care to avoid cutting or damage to yourself or others. Do not leave it unattended. Place it in a proper container or a bag. Clean it after every use. You can easily clean it by using a leather cloth and then applying a small amount of lubricant across the surface of the blade. The lubricant removes the rough edges and protects the blade from rust and damage. To know more about sealant guides, visit https://sinkformula.com/.
Do not wait for long before sharpening as with time the damage increases and becomes irreversible. Proper sharpening will maintain the surface of the blade making it usable for a longer period. A little effort goes a long way. Follow the instructions and care prescribed to sharpen a drawknife. So that you could continue using your draw knife in the best possible way.
