Hand Tool Sharpening Workshop
Schedule
Sat Mar 21 2026 at 09:00 am to 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Port City Makerspace | Portsmouth, NH
About this Event
Have you been wondering how to get your chisels, plane irons, card scrapers, or lathe tools truly sharp—and how to keep them that way? Are you hesitant to pick up a hand plane to flatten or smooth a board because the results aren’t what you expect? Do your chisels slide across the wood instead of cutting cleanly?
This workshop is designed to answer those questions and build your confidence with sharp hand tools.
We’ll cover:
- How sharp tools should really cut
- Differences between oil stones, water stones, diamond stones, and glass/ceramic stones
- Basic hand plane anatomy (frog, cap iron, plane iron, sole, tote, lever, and more)
- Recommended grinding and honing angles
- How to sharpen chisels and plane irons
- What a card scraper is, how to sharpen it, and how to use it effectively
Bring an old chisel or plane and sharpen it during the session. The workshop will be primarily demonstration-based, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice if you’d like.
Leave with a clear understanding of sharpening fundamentals—and the knowledge to take your tools to the next level of sharp.
If you would like to practice along, please bring an oil stone and some mineral oil. Please see the following link for Norton India Coarse Oil Bench Stone purchase details: https://bit.ly/3XIMG6B - $41 with shipping
Instructor: Elliot Stavnitsky
Please bring safety goggles.
Registration closes two (2) days before the event.
Attendees can receive refunds up to 7 days before your event start date.
Active members receive 25% off class list price with code: MEMBER.
Where is it happening?
Port City Makerspace, 68 Morning Street, Portsmouth, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 55.20



















