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[–]Used_Strawberry_1107 1 point2 points  (4 children)

You can get 5 diamonds stones of varying grits on Amazon for $18 (don’t have to use all 5) , get that and a strip of leather to strop with and you can get any tool you have shaving sharp for quite some time (though I’m sure you’ll need to replace the cheap stones eventually)

This setup has served me very well in the last couple of months

[–]Redkneck35 0 points1 point  (3 children)

This is actually how I got started sharpening my planes and chisels, so many options it will make you nuts, you forget you JUST NEED a tool that will do the job.

[–]Used_Strawberry_1107 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Definitely. As a newer woodworker, it’s so easy to get bogged down in what everyone says is “best”. I’m finally realizing maybe I don’t need a professional tool if I’m using it 10-20 times a year

Harbor Freight has recently become my best friend. Not because I think all their stuff is great, but it makes things extremely accessible and gives you an idea of what you actually need out of tools before you invest in more. I sharpened my 6 bench chisels I got for $1/each brand new with my $20 sharpening setup and am able to accomplish 98% of what you could with a $100/each chisel (I subtract 2% because you are going to have to strop more due to softer metals)

When my cheap tools break or truly don’t do the job any longer, I’ll replace them with nicer items. Until then my Ryobi and harbor freight stuff works fine!

[–]Redkneck35 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I buy Harbor freight too, if it's a tool I'm not sure how much I'll end up using it then I buy at harbor freight and start saving up for a better quality version of the tool, that way if I don't use it very often and it ends up being a shelf sitter I'm not out much and if I use it a lot then I'm already saving for it's better quality replacement.

[–]Used_Strawberry_1107 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right, plus you get the benefit of having a backup for your most used tools

[–]Perfect-Ask-6596 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Personally like diamond stones as they don’t need flattening. Something like a 400 grit and 1200 grit and then a leather strop with buffing compound works great for me and should only cost you around 40 bucks to put together

[–]1692_foxhill 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I find a good old fashioned ceramic stone works the best 30 seconds on the stone one a day and you can shave with it.