Rating: 
Summary: Understanding Sharpening
Review: This book is clearly written, extraordinarily complete in the scope of sharpenable tools it covers, and explains why cutting tools have to have the kinds of edges they do. It also explains how sharpening tools, such as stones, diamond hones, belt sanders, and burnishers do their job.Understanding helps you figure out what to do when sharpening, whereas a pure cookbook-style sharpening guide requires that you memorize rules-of-thumb for each kind of blade or constantly refer to the book. This book succeeds in being both deep and practical while being easy to read, a rare combination. I can only concur with the other reviewers. Five stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Rare blend of how-to with informative theory
Review: This book manages not only to give step-by-step instructions for how to make things (anything, from chisels to awls to scissors) super sharp, but also to explain the reasons behind those steps. There is some excellent discussion of the angles involved in cutting, a whole chapter called "The Physics of Cutting Wood Fibers," and explanations of things like why a kitchen knife shouldn't have the same mirror-finish edge that a chisel should. Excellent book. Everything in my house is getting sharper, one blade at a time.
Rating:
Summary: Full Coverage Of An Arcane Skill
Review: This is genuinely the most exhaustive volume I have ever seen in the world of woodworking. Leonard Lee (who is the president of Veritas and Lee Valley Tools) has made every effort to leave out none of the minutia of the world of sharpening. I'm making fun a bit, but there is no question but that this is 'the complete guide ...'
Lee starts right out with the definition of sharpness, the physics of cutting wood, metallurgy, abrasives and equipment. Then he gets down to tools and techniques. Everyone expects chapters on chisels, planes, and knives, but Lee goes on to tweezers, Phillips screwdrivers, claw hammer claws and several other things that you may have never thought were dull.
For all the density of information, Lee's delivery is clear and he makes good use of illustration. And there is a great deal of pleasure to be gained from owning a book that really does live up to its title. Whether beginning or expert sharpener, this is certainly the text to own
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