Question: break out- need advice

[Daniel Maier]

I’m just engraving some vintage tools, a wood chisel in particular. The steel is hand forged and seems to get harder and harder towards the cutting edge. I started with an ordinary Glensteel from GRS, it was cutting fine at the thicker end of the blade , but now the steel is much harder and it breaks the engravers edge, now I’m using an C-Max also from GRS, but it also breaks. Do I have to change the geometry of my sharpening. Anyone with some advice?
cheers D.

 

[McAhron]

I think your going to need to anneal the chisel,then engrave it, and re-harden.Chisels are heat treated tool steel in general.

 

[Daniel Maier]

Good idea, but I really like the old finish and texture of the metal, isn’t there a steel what just cuts through that? How about HSS? What sharpening angles do you recommend for Carbide, C-Max , or HSS engravers?
Thanks D.

 

[fegarex]

I doubt anything will work. Try an extreme blunt face but chances are the chisel is as hard as the graver.

 

[D.M.]

Pure tungsten carbide with 90 degree angle of cutting edge, but you will sharpen it every minute. It sharpens with diamond abrasives only. And it's PITA.

 

[Daniel Maier]

90 degree? that sounds like pushing the metal out rather then cutting, but I will give it a try. Thanks
Another Question: I don't have a diamond sharpening disc fine enough for a good edge, do you think I can go on my ceramic disc with an rather course diamond spray, or will the carbide scar the ceramic?
thanks

 

[D.M.]

Try it, but I don't know how long your ceramic will stand.