Stanley 16-050 Sharpening System

List Price: $20.54 Discount Price: $13.92

Features:

• Sharpening kit designed for effective sharpening of chisels and plane irons
• Includes all components necessary for achieving accurate, precise sharpening
• Compatible with chisel blades and plane irons from 1/4 to 2-3/4 inches
• Includes oil stone, honing guide, white oil, and user instructions
• Limited lifetime warranty

Accessories:
Field & Stream (1-year)	The Complete Guide to Sharpening

Customer Reviews:

Further decline in standards [Posted on 2007-12-25]
Having bought a Stanley honing jig a couple of years ago for personal use, I was pleased with it enough to buy one for work as well. However, what a difference a couple of years make! While the basic design is exactly the same, where it is made is not. The one I had originally bought was made in England. The castings were tight, clean and smooth. This one was made in, well two guesses as to where and the first one doesn't count. The castings a rougher and the angle gage wobbles so you never if you're truely square or not. As for the stone, it's too narrow. Any chisel over an inch and a half or plane iron greater than a number three can not be sharpened on this stone, which for most shops, makes it almost completely useless. Plus it soaks up too much oil and clogs too easily.
Now doen't think I'm jumping on the "Stanley sucks" bandwagon. Most of my tools are modern Stanley's and I'm more than pleased with their performance. But what I'm afraid of; is that pretty soon that won't be the case. As all the major manufacturers sell their souls to jump on the "Chinatastic" bandwagon too line their own (and their share holders too) pockets, we, the average consumer are left with inferior prducts at only a slightly cheaper (if that) price.
Final thought; it's ok for what it is, but it's not what it used to be, and doesn't bode well for what it will be, unless we do something to change it.

good place to buy [Posted on 2007-12-26]
original shipping envelope allowed stone to be broken in shipment. Amazon immediately replaced item (no charge) only with my notification by e-mail. I am very happy with sharpener and with buying from Amazon.
JS

Easy to use but quality is iffy [Posted on 2008-03-21]
I bought this mostly for the honing guide since I already have diamond sharpening stones. The honing guide works well but the quality is not there. It does work but your have to hold it carefully.
Just for kicks, I took a look at the stone and mine was totally flat so I didn't need to flatten the stone at all. I haven't used it yet but that was surprising since most cheap stones don't come completely flat.

Don't Do It! [Posted on 2008-04-18]
I consider this a total waste of money for the very simple reason that it is imposible to clamp a chisel or plane blade squarely. There is no straight edge to register the edge of the blade on. Also, the wheels are remarkably cheap plastic. I am going to buy one of the standerd "vise" style guides.

Good Value [Posted on 2008-08-20]
If you need a decent way to sharpen your $10 set of chisels and your $15 block plane, this is the kit for you. It's not real elegant, but so what. Do you really need perfectly square tips to clean up notches you made with a circular saw? This thing is good enough for your utility chisels and block planes(both of which work a lot better sharp, you will see). If you need something better than this you probably know it. If you just like having quality gear get a veritas.

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