Lee Valley Slick

[Sailor]

I picked up Lee Valley's slick last night. I haven't assembled it yet. (It's so big it comes with the handle separated from the iron with a little screw to fix it in place, what a beast of a tool.) I would like to know if there are any tuning up things I should do before I test her out? The edge seems pretty sharp but I suspect I could probably hone it a bit more if I wanted to. Is this required or does this tool come ready to use? Most edge tools can use a little tune up before first use but I'd hate to ruin the blade before I do anything with it.
As an aside, I was impressed with the way the tool came from the store. It came well oiled in a sealed plastic wrap, ash handle in a paper wrap and the little screw in a plastic bag all in a box. I look forward to using it soon. Any tips on use, technique etc?

[wizbang 13]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

They turn nails into butter!

[Sailor]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

I can't remember the specs... Isn't Black Locust 20% harder than steel nails?

[jpatrick]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

Not aware that Lee Valley offered a slick, I just came back from perusing it on their site. Looks like a nice tool. The description says that it's ready to use. I can't imagine that I'd take it to the stone without at least trying it out on a stick of wood first. If it cuts, use it.

I'm not sure that I like the idea that the handle must be secured with a screw. None of my many socket head chisels have such an arrangement. They all fit with their handles properly. Use keeps them from coming apart.

Jeff

[StevenBauer]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

$129. Seems like a fair price. Less than I was expecting.


Steven

[Jay Greer]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

That is a fair price! I use a home made wooden jig to keep the bevel flat when I sharpen my slicks. The mass makes it awkward to hold. If you are careful not to put rocker on the bevel, the tool can be clamped on a flat surface and the stone held in the hand.
Jay

[Sailor]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

Thanks Jay. $129 was in US dollars I think. Mine cost a little more in CDN, $149 plus tax. I think it's a fair price. The handle should remain in with use. I suspect it won't come out once I've really shoved on the handle to push through some of the dense Black Locust I'm using. The stuff is incredibly hard. It takes a polish it's so hard.

[woodpile]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

And one of these for the man who has everything.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200357785_200357785

[goodbasil]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

Woodcraft in the states had one at one time which was made in England. I bought one but returned it since the steel was of poor quality.
The LV one is a clone made in China. Same size, 3.375" blade. Don't know about quality.
Anyway, flatten the back, sharpen it then attack something. If it feels good, keep it.

[StevenBauer]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

And one of these for the man who has everything.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7785_200357785

I have never had anyone explain why a Titanium hammer is any different than a regular hammer without it sounding like a bunch of BS. Anyone got a reasonable explanation?

[Bob Cleek]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

It's all about the metal. I've seen old hand-forged slicks that took an edge and held it like a samurai sword. (Not that I know much about samurai swords at all!) The old ones cost about what the new ones cost, at least where they're available. I've never seen edged tools that are properly sharp "right out of the box." I think the manufacturers allow for the user's taste and it's a lot better for customer satisfaction to say it needs sharpening than to say it's "ready to use" when it's been through handling and the shipping department and may not be by the time it gets into the customer' s hands. Then, too, not sharpening an edge for use is one less step in the manufacturing process which can increase profits if avoided. I can't imagine any tool from China not needing fettling and sharpening, but that's my own personal bias.

I've never seen a screw holding a handle in a chisel socket. I've seen screws in boat hooks, which will be pulled in use. A chisel is pushed, so the screw seems superfluous. The screw presents a stress point where the properly matched handle should fit in the socket easily. (A sharp downward rap on the butt of the handle on the workbench will set the handle in the socket quite firmly.) The screw also prevents the easy removal of the handle if one wishes to store the iron and handle separately, as in a tool box. Some slicks can be quite long. And, a slick should have a leather sheath to protect the edge (and careless flesh!) when not in use.

[Stiletto]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

I have never had anyone explain why a Titanium hammer is any different than a regular hammer without it sounding like a bunch of BS. Anyone got a reasonable explanation?

Great minds think alike! I was about to ask the same question.

[Jim Mahan]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

Is it possibly the case that the little screw is to keep the heavy blade from falling off the handle inadvertantly should the socket become loose, like maybe from being a honking big of piece of steel jostling around in a tool box, maybe? If you happen to pick it up and handle it around the edge of the workbench and it comes out suddenly while both your hands are full, and it bounces on your foot, or hits the concrete, or the puppy... Some people would just ignore the screw, the sick bastrds.

[woodpile]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

I have never had anyone explain why a Titanium hammer is any different than a regular hammer without it sounding like a bunch of BS. Anyone got a reasonable explanation?

Yep, exotic, high tech BS

[John Meachen]

Re: Lee Valley Slick

Is it possibly the case that the little screw is to keep the heavy blade from falling off the handle inadvertantly should the socket become loose, like maybe from being a honking big of piece of steel jostling around in a tool box, maybe? If you happen to pick it up and handle it around the edge of the workbench and it comes out suddenly while both your hands are full, and it bounces on your foot, or hits the concrete, or the puppy... Some people would just ignore the screw, the sick bastrds.

I can't remember where I read it,but there was a piece of advice about being careful with a slick because there is a tendency when using one to let it hang by the user's leg after a cut while inspecting the job.The risk was that the head might be a touch loose and gravity would see it heading for the user's toes-not a good situation for a sharp and heavy tool.