I have been experimenting with a variety of plane blade metals from M2 HSS, A2, and Japanese blue and white. I am finding that all have distinct ideal bevels. Even sharpening techniques from micro-bevels, double bevels, and Harrelson Stanley’s side sharpening method seem to have interesting and controversial effects. I am looking for some in depth literature to understand why this is. Can anyone suggest some good literature. Lee and Lie-Nielsen’s books were a start but I’m curious to getmore in depth.
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Replies
Take a look at this article http://bladetest.infillplane.com/index.html
Was interesting. I also downloaded an article called "Experments on Knife Sharpening" buy John D. Verhoeven out of Iowa State University.
A somewhat dry and long article of about 53 pages. I am sorry I don't have a link to it It might have been on this website. I also have noticed a difference in the way various steels sharpen on different stones. I have been most happy with a combination of diamond stones and a fine waterstone for polishing. Anyway have fun.
Troy
Archibald,
There is plenty of scientific literature on the metallurgy of various types of steel out there. A good librarian at your local Research University will be able to point you towards the right direction. In addition to metallurgy you also need to consider the manufacturing process of the tools. A forged blade will most likely outperform a blade that is cut out of a piece of (O1, A2, D2, etc.) sheet metal.
Two relatively recent papers that might get you started:
Influence of carbide and inclusion contents on the fatigue properties of high speed steels and tool steels,
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FATIGUE 23 (3): 215-224 MAR 2001
Porankiewicz B
Theoretical simulation of cutting edge wear when milling wood and wood based products
,WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 40 (2): 107-117 FEB 2006
Of course most of the literature you will find is on rotary cutting tools, and there are a hand full of scientific publications on super shurfacers (cutting edge geometry, influence on mouth opening on surface quality, etc.). As far as I know there are no refereed publications on 'side sharpening'. The closest you might get are Brent Beach's studies on blade sharpness/wear and Derek Cohen's user reviews. I hope eventually Brent and Derek will decide to publish their finding in one of the scientific journals.
Chris
Chris Scholz
Galoot-Tools
your tool steels are going to be hot rolled, which is essentially a form of forging. the annealing or heat treating of these various grades of steel are going to make the difference in hwo they compare to plain high carbon (I don't think there is anyone out there other than some hobbyists actually forging stuff liek plane blades down from small ingot.)
you might find some informationfrom the manufacturer of the steel, if you know what grade it is. Allegheny Technologies (Allegheny Ludlum) is one of the bigger producers in the USA, and their website may have some techincal bulletins on the type of tool steel you are considering.
I would say the difference in bevels is due to a microstuctural difference - grain size and carbide size (and morphology) between grades, and to final heat treating.
Edited 1/11/2008 8:50 pm ET by jquinn
Edited 1/11/2008 8:51 pm ET by jquinn
Yes, in my mind the tougher steels like HSS need blunter bevel angles because of larger particles, but this is speculation.
Here is an article by Garrett Hack about tool steel that may help you out.
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1538&articleID=501107
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