Scary Sharp - The Cheapest Way to Get a Perfect Razor Sharp Edge

In This week’s woodworking skill builder we’re going to talk about the least expensive way to get a chisel scary sharp. In fact this system is called “The Scary Sharp System.” It is really easy to use and has a great return on investment. I really can’t wait to see what you create! Let me know what you’d like to see next. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
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*Sharpening Supplies I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
*Individual Products I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
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[katzmosestools]

*Sharpening Supplies I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
*Individual Products I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
*The Sheets/Grits I used*
0.3 micron (white) or 60.000 grit
1 micron (light green) or 14, 000 grit
3 micron (pink) or 8, 000 grit
9 micron (light blue) or 1800 grit
12 micron (yellow) or 1200 grit
30 micron (green) or 600 grit and
40 micron (blue) or 300 grit

[jarradbenson]

Ok I’m that guy that didn’t know what sharp was! I just spent the last couple hours sharpening my cheap ass chisels with this system. My god I know what sharp is now! I almost bought a diamond plate for $150 that had 300 and 1000 grit. And then I watched this vid and bought this system. Thank you Johnathan!!! Game changer! I’m going to try dovetails soon and it’s because of this channel. Thanks man!

[scottcallan]

Just received the sharpening system from Taylor Tools. To say this system is absolutely perfect is an understatement. I have never gotten my chisels this sharp. thanks for sharing this

[jeremymcclanahan]

finaly a channel that explains things that a novice can understand...thank you for the great videos

[jeremymcclanahan]

Thank you for bring this idea to my life....the wife gave this to me for xmas. I just finished sharpening my first chisel and I was blown away....stupid easy w stupid sharp results👍

[chazan]

I can't begin to tally the number of stones and sharpening systems I've bought over the years. I tried this system following Jonathan's instructions and it works down to the mirror finish where I can see myself on bevel of the chisel (I thought he was kidding). Thank you!!!

[Sooper]

I found this method on a shaving forum, for sharpening my cut throat razor, a few years back and it revolutionised things for me

[chm]

I really wish I'd known about this two years ago, Jonathan. When I first started, I found it to be a very confusing subject, which has resulted in me going down the rabbit hole of water stones and diamond stones. As much as I like the two variations that I now own, as a mature student, it would have helped me learn faster and gain good technique if I'd have found this method first. I dread to think how much I've spent... money I really could have done with saving and put into other tools I needed. Great video and I just know this system will help a lot of people.

[scottstubberud]

Oh my God scary sharp is absolutely correct. I took an old Stanley cheap cheap chisel that has been my rough use chisel and I just finished putting my scary sharp system together on the glass and did this one chisel so far and I have never in 37 1/2 years as a woodworker trying to get a sharp edge on my chisel ever got one this sharp. You can see yourself in the finish and cutting end grain on oak was a breeze. Thank you Jonathan for sharing this. It was cheap and easy. You can get the glass and the adhesive back sandpaper from Taylor woodwork‘s for I think it was $45. I paid more for other stones than that. Scary sharp. Dam I’m impressed and excited

[stevemelcher]

Just used the scary sharp system for the first time, and holy cow. Razor sharp tools in a fraction of the time. Had to take one of my chisels to a 220 diamond stone to fix a big booger of a mark on the edge, then 4 minutes on the 3m paper and it is like a barbershop razor. Thanks for sharing this!

[routecustoms]

Thank you so much for this video. I have probably spent around $100 on only 2 stones and some lubricant additive and I still have trouble getting my backside flat at times. This system was the answer to everything I have been researching the last couple days in hopes to hone in my chisel/ plane blades. I have been a big follower of William Douglas for a while now and found your page through one of his videos when you visited his new shop a while back. You both are my first go to wealths of woodworking information anytime I start researching. Point in case… this very video. Thanks again!

[jasonsiebold]

So cool to find an affordable easy sharpening solution. I have been looking at stones the last few days trying to figure out how I'm going to fit it into the budget. This is right on time.

[SouthSideChiTown]

No video about how to get something scary sharp would be complete without the guy doing the video having at least one Band-Aid on a finger :-)

[AutotechWoodworking]

I started sharpening my chisels using a method that Robin Lewis showed on his channel. It was easy and inexpensive too, but since I don't use or need to sharpen them very often, I've misplaced almost everything involved. Not to mention my belt sander is inoperative at the moment, so I'm going to buy into this system and make sure I don't l misplace anything. No belt sander needed!

[markbarrington]

I've been using these for about 1.5 years now. They are absolutely amazing. I use 1 large piece of glass with 3 grits 1 side 3 on the other. Everything i need in 1.5 ft sq. Cutting sheets In 1/3 sheets. Now prefer these over my water stones.

[rhonir]

Dear Jonathan. Thank you for all your work. I mean it, you have provided us with so many ways to improve and learn and just when I watch your video on sharpening with waterstones and start to decide whether or not I'm going to buy myself those expensive diamond whetstones or not, you upload this video. I wish you the best and have a nice day!

[WillNGo]

Terrific update of a terrific sharpening system. Thanks!

I've been doing Scary Sharp for at least 15 years. It's brilliant, cheap, easy to do. A couple of things:
1. If you use regular gray sandpaper (from the auto supply), it's cheaper, but after you stick it down you can't tell the grits apart. Find some way of marking the grits. (I used to write on the paper, but this doesn't last. the surrounding surface is glass, might try Sharpie PAINT marker next. Blue masking tape is temporary at best)

2. Get the sticky back sandpaper. I haven't tried this high tech paper yet, but I will. I've tried saving a few bucks with different adhesives--they all leave a texture that telegraphs right through the paper.

3. When your friends start going on about their Japan and Arkansas stones.... just nod and wait for a chance to change the subject. Once someone has spent more than $200 on special stones, that themselves have to be flattened-- they're completely immune to something as good, probably better and much much cheaper. Save your breath.

4. The only way to get an edge sharper then either Scary Sharp, or your friend with the expensive stones is by stropping it on leather. (FineWoodworking Magazine did a terrific article in the 90s that reached this conclusion, with microscope photos. )

Wha?!?! excuse me while I twist my head back into position. 60, 000 I've got some Revell 12, 000 pads that I use to tune up my fountain pen nibs. Smaller than human blood cells? 60k grit is smaller than my neurons. I don't think this was available back in the 90s when FWW did its article. Don't take this as a negative-- I am curious. (And I can't wait to try this on my fountain pen nibs.)
5. And while I am a Scary Sharperite, the 300/1000 diamond stones are worth every penny and very handy--but use the fluid on them because they can eventually get clogged up. (I've also noticed this with the ceramic sharpening sticks I use on my kitchen knives. I no longer feel bad when about once a year, I drop it on the floor. I coat these in cooking oil.)
-- I also have those small red blue and ? diamond grit sharpeners. They're pretty handy, but I don't use them on chisels and plane blades. -- I've got one of those angle-wheelies. It seems more trouble than it's worth. I just do it by eye.

-- When you get good at sharpening, you no longer think of a store bought chisel/plane as sharp.

6. Float glass. SOP back in the day was to just look around on trash day for a no longer wanted stereo/media cabinet and just take off the glass doors. You'll end up with a large surface with 4 pieces of sandpaper on it. It's not something you'd carry around in the back of the truck, but if you mostly work in a home shop this is a free option. I've been using the same piece of glass for at least 15 years. (The smaller pieces of glass are a nice option. But how sharp are those edges? A glass shop might sand those down for you, probably sell you a set a lot cheaper. )
7. It's called Scary Sharp for a reason. You will cut yourself.

Scary sharp, or that 300/1000 diamond stone will NOT flatten the bottom of a steel plane. (If you've done this, you know more than I do--so please correct any obvious errors in what I've written.)
I've used my scary sharp set-up to tune up kitchen knives, but now I use the 300/1000 diamond stone, some ceramic sharpeners. It's just easier.

Anything that spins, has a motor, is super expensive.... won't sharpen as good as this method.

[jimmycrackcode]

I used to use this paper when I worked in semiconductors years ago. My boss was an avid woodworker and would bring in his chisels for some side projects for me. 😆 We had ways of going higher than 60, 000, but it was getting silly at that point.

[esamuelburleigh]

I was sharpening a plane iron yesterday, getting frustrated at my crummy system while doing so. After watching this video, I have just placed an order for the paper you used. I already have the glass, and can't wait to try this new paper. Wish me luck.

[chris-C]

When I first started, I fell into the trap of obsessing over sharpening. I appreciate you emphasizing that it doesn't have to be perfect as long as it works.