Woodworking, hand tools, and the occasional mistake
Sharpening without a jig
14 August
I spent years convinced I needed a honing guide. Then a friend showed me the trick of locking your wrists and moving from the shoulders. The angle drifts a little, but the edge comes back in two minutes instead of ten, and I actually sharpen more often, which matters more than the last degree of precision.
Stones I use: a 1000 grit waterstone, a 6000 finishing stone, and a leather strop with green compound. That is the whole kit.
A bench hook from offcuts
2 August
The most useful thing in my shop cost nothing. Two pieces of scrap oak and a bit of glue, and suddenly every crosscut is square and the bench stays unmarked. If you are starting out, make this before you buy anything else.
On finishing with oil
19 July
Three thin coats, wiped back after twenty minutes, a day between coats. Everyone says this and nobody believes it until they leave a thick coat on overnight and get a sticky mess. I have done it twice. Learn from me.