OK folks it's time to break the ice and have our first talk about jig vs free hand sharpening. Here's my (very general - not at all specific) take on this subject....
In the past I've been a very vocal proponent for free hand sharpening. I've also been an opponent to certain jig systems as well as being critical to list the restrictions of many jigged systems. For this I've been somewhat mis-understood and incorrectly labeled as a free hand or die type of person - an individual who expects everyone to do as I see (and say) and to judge others based on what they do with this. Some of this is true but not all.
For the record - I am not at all against jigs however I am very pro free hand.
The reason why I've been so boisterous in discussions on this subject is because many people refuse to admit the limitations of their jigged systems. The thing about this is that both jigged and free hand systems have limitations - BOTH.
Free handers, no matter who you are, will always wobble a bit and can not achieve a perfectly flat bevel - it'll never happen.
Jig systems reshape knives to suit their parameters to which they can operate in and can not roll through changes in bevel angles (like seen on yanagibas and distal tapered double bevel knives).
For positives, the free handers can easily address angle changes along the blade length and for jig users they have perfect angle control.
So I see each as having limitations and positives. Going with one or the other should be a decision that you make based on what's more important to you.
Anyone have anything to add?
I wouldn't mind talking about the merits and limitations of each jig system as we do we each stone used free hand. Some systems seem better than others and we can discuss these differences here.
PS - I'm not starting any crap, just stating my position which I hope helps to clear the air.
In the past I've been a very vocal proponent for free hand sharpening. I've also been an opponent to certain jig systems as well as being critical to list the restrictions of many jigged systems. For this I've been somewhat mis-understood and incorrectly labeled as a free hand or die type of person - an individual who expects everyone to do as I see (and say) and to judge others based on what they do with this. Some of this is true but not all.
For the record - I am not at all against jigs however I am very pro free hand.
The reason why I've been so boisterous in discussions on this subject is because many people refuse to admit the limitations of their jigged systems. The thing about this is that both jigged and free hand systems have limitations - BOTH.
Free handers, no matter who you are, will always wobble a bit and can not achieve a perfectly flat bevel - it'll never happen.
Jig systems reshape knives to suit their parameters to which they can operate in and can not roll through changes in bevel angles (like seen on yanagibas and distal tapered double bevel knives).
For positives, the free handers can easily address angle changes along the blade length and for jig users they have perfect angle control.
So I see each as having limitations and positives. Going with one or the other should be a decision that you make based on what's more important to you.
Anyone have anything to add?
I wouldn't mind talking about the merits and limitations of each jig system as we do we each stone used free hand. Some systems seem better than others and we can discuss these differences here.
PS - I'm not starting any crap, just stating my position which I hope helps to clear the air.