09-08-2017, 08:05 PM
Ken,
I think the rounding is a result of the Tormek, specifically soft leather on a round surface puts too much pressure on the edge. When I polish the backs of my woodworking chisels, I first do it on stones, making sure a substantial portion of the chisel stays on the stone (say 1/2 inch or more). Then, when I strop on leather, at least two inches are always against the leather, and I strop lightly. When doing a fine/precision cut with the back of the chisel against a reference surface, you want the edge to cut exactly on that surface. For my knock-around chisels for chores around the house and yard, I do them on the Tormek, since I don't care if they're precisely flat. For the initial flattening of the backs of chisels, the good ones don't need much, but for the Irwins I do them on stones (would do them on a belt sander if I had one of the nice ones that you guys seem to have).
Steve
I think the rounding is a result of the Tormek, specifically soft leather on a round surface puts too much pressure on the edge. When I polish the backs of my woodworking chisels, I first do it on stones, making sure a substantial portion of the chisel stays on the stone (say 1/2 inch or more). Then, when I strop on leather, at least two inches are always against the leather, and I strop lightly. When doing a fine/precision cut with the back of the chisel against a reference surface, you want the edge to cut exactly on that surface. For my knock-around chisels for chores around the house and yard, I do them on the Tormek, since I don't care if they're precisely flat. For the initial flattening of the backs of chisels, the good ones don't need much, but for the Irwins I do them on stones (would do them on a belt sander if I had one of the nice ones that you guys seem to have).
Steve