Sharpening · 8 min read
Honing guide basics: repeatable 25° and 30° edges on chisels and plane irons
A honing guide holds a chisel or plane iron at a fixed angle so every pass over the stone hits the same bevel. Here's how to set the projection, choose grits and add a micro-bevel.
By SQUAREFORGE Shop Desk · Updated
Key takeaways
- The angle comes from how far the blade sticks out of the guide, so measure that distance every time.
- Grind the main bevel at 25° and add a 30° micro-bevel. Touching up only the micro-bevel is fast.
- Flatten the back of a new chisel once. After that, just remove the burr.
Why use a honing guide
Freehand sharpening rocks the blade and rounds the bevel. A guide holds one angle, so you sharpen faster and the edge comes out the same every time.
Setting the angle
Most side-clamp guides set the angle from the distance between the cutting edge and the front of the jig. Make a stop block with your favorite settings so you don't have to measure again.
A simple grit progression
| Stage | Grit | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | 220–400 | Remove chips or reset a bevel |
| Sharpen | 1000 | Raise a burr along the full width |
| Refine | 4000–8000 | Polish the edge and add the micro-bevel |
- Raise a burrWork the main bevel on the coarse plate until you can feel a small wire edge across the whole back.
- Step up the gritsRepeat on each finer plate with lighter pressure, about 10 to 20 strokes per grit.
- Add the micro-bevelRaise the angle by about 5° and take a few strokes on the finest grit.
- Remove the burrLay the back flat on the finest plate and take two or three light strokes.
Edge care checklist
| Frequency | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Before each session | Strop or touch up chisels and plane irons on the finest plate |
| When edges drag | Rehone the bevel at 25° or 30° with a honing guide |
| Monthly | Clean pitch off saw blades and flatten diamond plates |
/ Frequently asked
What angle should I sharpen a chisel to?+
25° with a 30° micro-bevel works for most bench chisels. Paring chisels used only by hand can go lower, around 20°. Mortise chisels do better at 30–35°.
Do I need a honing guide for plane irons too?+
It helps. Plane irons are wide, so a guide keeps the edge square to the sides and the cut stays even across the mouth.