Brian Burns' back-bevel sharpening method

Brian from Ft. Bragg will demonstrate his back-bevel sharpening method.

Brian is the founding member of Peninsula Woodworkers, and now a classical guitar maker with 40+ years of varied woodworking experience, developed his sharpening method to eliminate the problems of chip-out when working highly figured hardwoods. He first published his thoughts on sharpening planer blades in Fine Woodworking #19, December 1979. In this letter to the FWW editor, Brian states that "there is no right direction to feed a board" with his sharpening. Back-Beveling eliminates chip-out. He also uses this sharpening method for hand planes and chisels. Brian invites anyone with a hand plane blade or chisel that needs sharpening to bring it to the meeting and he will put it back into working order (he bragged of doing this in 3 minutes if not too badly chipped!).

Brian will also discuss sharpening and planing in general (angle of attack, etc), planing and preparing difficult grain in woods. Brian has given this talk previously and he is well-prepared. He will present a brief slide show in the middle of his presentation. He also has some comments about life in Fort Bragg since he moved there about 2 years ago. There is no 'club' up there for woodworkers, there are so many of them, they just gather at a certain coffee shop every Friday evening!

Brian will bring a copies of his sharpening brochure for sale (which is also available at Japan Woodworker in Alameda). This sounds like one of the valuable meetings of the year and not one to miss!

Meeting Location

DIRECTIONS:
From 101, take the East Hillsdale exit. Drive a mile plus toward the bay. Turn right on Shell Blvd.
From the East Bay, take the San Mateo Bridge (92 West), Take the Foster City Blvd. Exit, and head southeast. Turn right on East Hillsdale Ave. and left on Shell Blvd.
From 92 eastbound, exit onto Foster City Blvd., turn right on Hillsdale, turn left on Shell.

FOR ALL DIRECTIONS:
Once on Shell, get in the left lane. Go past the library, and make a U-Turn at the center island opening. Then turn into the parking lot that is behind the library. The stairs to the community rooms are at the north end of the building.