Scary sharp tools, without the aching arms

Conclusion

After using Work Sharp to tune-up every chisel and plane knife in the WOOD magazine shop (plus most of mine from home), here's what I like best:

• Accurate set up. Being able to return to a precise bevel angle every time means I spent less time sharpening and more time woodworking.
• It's so easy to restore an edge, I didn't wait until I couldn't use a tool anymore before I sharpened it. (Often, I went through only one or two grits, and I was back in business in less than a minute.)
• Inexpensive sharpening supplies. Just some sandpaper when I need it.
• You can sharpen very short chisels and small plane irons.

If your chisels are really out of whack, the jump from 120 to 400 grit seems a bit much. I would get the optional "Coarse Kit" of 80, 120, 220, and 400 abrasives for initial shaping of the irons, then set up three glass discs: 120/220 on the first for setting the initial bevel; 400/1000 on the second for touching up; and 3600 and the optional leather stropping disc on the last to add a microbevel and hone.

Bottom line: Razor-sharp hand tools make woodworking a joy. But most sharpening methods make it work. Work Sharp removes that drudgery so you can get back to the fun part.

–Tested by Jeff Mertz

Work Sharp WS3000 Wood Tool Sharpener, $200
Professional Tool Manufacturing
800-597-6170, www.worksharptools.com

Click here to watch the Work Sharp demo in WOOD magazine shop