Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening [Hardcover]

Thomas Lie-Nielsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2004

As a toolmaker, Tom Lie-Nielsen brings a special perspective to the subject of sharpening. In this must-have reference, the author covers all types of sharpening equipment and methods of sharpening hand tools. Over 700 color photographs and illustrations are included, along with information on sharpening power tool blades and bits.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (September 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561586579
• ISBN-13: 978-1561586578
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Hand Tools
  • #59 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Power Tools

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Falls Short, August 6, 2005

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (Hardcover)

I have two books on sharpening. Which is a lot when you consider that sharpening is more of a chore than anything else. But it is a very important chore (second only to sweeping up), and one that can make woodworking a pleasure or a great pain. Until you develop good, disciplined sharpening techniques your work will be spotty at best. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hand tool purist. But one of the reasons I have so many power planes, routers, and shapers is that, for a long time I was a very mediocre sharpener.

Thomas Lie-Nielson makes some of the finest planes in the world. I have three, and each has proved out its value repeatedly. Much of the reason I bought this book was to see what he had to say, even though my copy of Leonard Lee's 'Complete Guide to Sharpening' has stood me in good stead. Unfortunately, Lie-Nielsen is a much better toolmaker than he is a writer. His presentation is quite dry, and not as detailed as I would have liked. And for some strange reason the photographer managed to 'miss' the action or make it difficult to puzzle out what was happening.

In spite of this, Lie-Nielsen manages to explain somethings that Leonard Lee left out. He also offers more discussion on shaping the steel as well as sharpening it. His section on sharpening axes is a classic of straightforward clarity and brevity, for example. But While I am a fan of Taunton's 'Complete Illustrated' series, this time their offering falls short. Lee's book is half the price and every bit as useful

63 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a great disappointment, April 1, 2005

By 

G. L. Tanty (American Southwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (Hardcover)

Although I have a great deal of respect for both the author and the publisher, I was forced to give this book a negative rating. This is due to the fact that the book offers no real recommendation as to which system to use for sharpening or real advantages and disadvantages for each method. I bought this book because I don't know a lot about sharpening other than woodturning tools. The author briefly discusses the various systems, waterstones, oilstones, grinders, sandpaper, etc. But I was not able to make an informed decision as to which was preferable and why.

The chapter on sharpening woodturning tools only briefly discussed the various ways to sharpen each of the major types of turning tools without going into detail. No discussion of the carious grinds to put on a bowl gouge, for example. So I was forced to assume that the other chapters were unnecessarily brief as well.

The book is beautiful and the color photos were well done. But if you are going to buy this book because you are a rank beginner at sharpening, I think you will be disappointed as to how little information is in here and will look in vain for recommendations.

The author builds some of the best hand tools out there today. I know because I own some. Other books and magazines published by Taunton are well thought out and beautifully presented. But this book lacked the detail I expected.

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money- get something else., May 9, 2005

By 

Stephen Lewis (Durango, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (Hardcover)

Although the book has great illustrations, it just doesn't give much information. Yes, the author discusses the sharpening of virtually every cutting instrument, but usually only using a certain jig that you probably don't have. There is little depth to this book; it's like a vast ocean that is only an inch deep. The book is a better review of sharpening tools and jigs on the market than it is about sharpening, and if you have these tools, you don't need the book to tell you how to use them.

I would have liked to see in-depth sharpening information- what a tool that is sharp looks like and how to get it there with basic tools. The book rarely achieves this.