I have avoided buying something like this as I believed I did not need them. I was wrong as this works much better. I used a dowel which works fine if it fits the curve of the gouge - but I did not always have the right size but figured it was ‘good enough. I used scrap thin flat pieces on the straight sided ones, even though it was slower as you had to to both sides, but was not easy to get the point. I was teaching someone else how to sharpen and got this partially to show you don’t need, that my way was the best way. But this is both faster and it gives a better edge. So do yourself a favor and get one. Read more
Very nice, really helped sharpen my tools Read more
First off, it does what it is intended to do. Even a novice to sharpening curved implements can use it (for final polishing). The included polishing compound seems to work just fine and the amount included should last a while. Now for the less than desirable traits. The wood looks like purpleheart in the packaging - it isn't. It's some very soft white wood with a light purple stain applied. Any use on a gouge will dent/bruise the wood and any "misses" honing the inside of a curved gouge will cut into the wood easily. That wouldn't matter if the split leather pads were either (re-)movable and could be placed in/on any of the grooves or just covered everything. As a leatherworker, I understand that getting the leather to correctly fit all of the curves and angles would have been a challenge (which could be overcame by casing the leather, pressing it to the piece or a master while it dried, and then gluing it on), but it is a noticeable shortcoming of this design. Overall, I really like this tool. But, when it comes time to replace it, I will probably make my own out of a more durable wood and cover all of the profiles with leather. Read more
This is exactly what I needed for stropping my flexcut tools. Very easy to use and convenient. Read more
I purchased this block to sharpen a cheap set of linocut tools. It felt like extra money at the time but it's saved me money by being able to properly care for my carving tools. The block is great and used after sharpening stones has helped my tools last so much longer. Read more
I have bought this same thing twice now. I wore out the first one after several years and am now on my second one. Perfect for difficult to sharpen chisels and gouges. I wouldn’t hate it if it was a little bigger, but it gets the job done. Read more
Good. Read more
it works very well, my gouges are sharper. Read more
