One of these are not like the other

Sharpening Lessons from the Shelter Institute

Recently, my dad and I attended the Shelter Institute training course, and it was an incredible experience. Along with a ton of new skills, we each came home with an amazing set of tools—the kind that make you eager to build something the moment you unpack them.

One of the lessons that stuck with me was about sharpening chisels, specifically when using a sharpening system like the Veritas honing guide. The instructors emphasized that the chisel’s edge is always referenced against the guide, meaning the exact setup of your honing system matters. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first.

Being from near Missouri, I guess that “show me” attitude runs in my blood—I needed to see the proof myself.

So, when I got home, I decided to put it to the test. I grabbed one of my dad’s chisels and one of my own, both supposedly sharpened using the same guide. After just a few swipes on 180-grit paper, I could clearly see a difference in the bevels. The angle was off between the two.

That tiny difference showed me just how precise sharpening systems really are—and how easily results can vary, even when the tools seem identical.

It was a small experiment, but it taught me something big: sharpening isn’t just about the tool—it’s about consistency and technique.