learning a new skill

Last week, I had an axe throwing tournament to work with Serenity Knives.  When it was first spoken about, the thought was I would be there for sales and for sharpening.  I sharpen axes.  I do not sharpen meat slicers yet but I can see it coming.  It will be if I get them apart.

The thing is, the tournament was a national event.  The best throwers from all over the country were there.  Not big to the skating events I used to do but big when it comes to axe throwing.  The prize was nice.

What does that have to do with me learning a new skill?  More hands were needed to grind on axes.  I was taught how to profile an axe.  What does that mean?  The shape of the axe head is changed to it sticks better when it is thrown at a target.  It starts with what is called a hollow grind.

Here is the funny about a hollow grind.  I have been around enough new knife makers at this point to know that a hollow grind can be intimidating.  What I start with?  A hollow grind on an axe.  That is then blended in to reach certain measurements.  The calipers come out.  I did not do badly.  On the five axes I profiled, a little clean up was needed and sharpening.  But hands and forearms were done.  So done I could not pick up a pot to start dinner without pain.

So the Big Rob profile is what I learned next week.  Then Big Rob wanted to take a big axe (Asgord) and make it into a hatchet.  Four actually.  That became a big thing this weekend.  Changing shapes all over the place.  I still did a lot of sales and sharpening.  Because two of us grinding that hard kept tripping the surge protector.  

I learned a lot.  I have more to learn.  Including how to throw an axe, large and small, so I can tell if a profile works.  It would be cool if I became good but I do not need to be.  I just need to be able to stick an axe.

clipper and shear sharpening

What have I been up to for the last couple weeks?  I have been learning clipper and shear sharpening.  I have also been setting up the clipper and shear sharpening area for Serenity Knives.  It is how the business is being expanded and I will be the one doing that expansion.  

People always have clippers and scissors that need to be sharpened so it made sense.  We already sharpen knives.  Everyone in the shop.  The sharpening experience I had made my learning how to sharpen different edged tools go fairly easily.  Not saying there was not a learning curve.  Maybe just not as steep.

I came back to having to setup the workspace.  And find all the little odds and ends that make it easier to do this type of work.  I sharpened the first clippers three days after being back.  Of course, what I had seen in the course was not only what came through the shop.

This was one of the clippers.  I had clippers and thinners that also came attached to the motors that ran them instead of being a blade that could be attached.  I never saw any of those in class.  But it is okay.  It was all the same concept.  But I kept thinking that I should have taken pictures as I was taking them apart.

I get to do this all again for the workspace when I set it up for mobile.  In shop and mobile are happening.  It is a good thing I like to be busy.

sharpening

I am still learning sharpening.  There is always a new tool to learn what to do with.  I am just glad that when I am being the most frustrated, I normally get told now that someone with more experience did not do any better.  

Axes are something I have just added to my repetoire.  The surge of throwing axes as a support has meant more axes need care.  I do not do all the care yet but I do sharpen them.  My Beloved actually joined a league.  Koda Bear wants to but is not old enough so he practices in the backyard and scorekeeps on Sundays.  I just laugh.  I usually drive over with them and walk home.  It is part of why my life keeps getting busier.  I am not going to turn my nose up at business!

One of the next things I am going to learn to sharpen are clipper blades.  I actually need to do that out of town but I will schedule that after the next trip to my Dad's.  Small steps.