Reviewer: David E. .

This was an excellent dvd set. I highly recommend it if you want to know more than just the basic sharpening procedures. Mike demos the different sharpening jigs on the markets as well how to hand sharpen.

Reviewer: Craig E.

This two DVD set is a mix of strong positives and negatives that result for me in an overall average rating. On the good side, Darlow is an undisputed expert and he has produced a comprehensive, if not overblown, treatment of sharpening theory and practice. His comprehensive approach is most valuable to a beginner who has not yet invested in any one approach or system. If you already have a sharpening method, say an 8” grinder with handle-end jigs, or 10” wet grinder, or a horizontal glass wheel, etc., most of this video will be irrelevant because it does not apply to your method and equipment. On a positive note, Darlow pokes holes in some cherished sharpening beliefs. He says, for example that the exact angle of the bevel on most tools does not matter. The biggest variable by far is the user, not the tool. Users adjust to differences in cutting angles instantly and intuitively. He states that for woodturning tools, for example, it does not matter if the bevel differs by 2, 3, or 5 degrees or more, as long as it is sharp. He does advocate keeping approximately the same bevel once a tool has been sharpened, however. That being said, he goes on to demo dozens of self-named “Darlow” templates to set exact bevel angles for grinding. Wait a minute, I thought exact angle did not matter. It matters only the first time you sharpen a tool, or if you regrind a new angle on an old tool…plus he may have wanted to come up something he could name after himself. It may be Darlow’s personal style to be very slow and deliberate, but at times this video drags and it is too often just a talking head. My advice: play at a fast speed making Darlow sound like a chipmunk, and get through both DVDs in 20 minutes.

Reviewer: Dean S.

For those who are inclined to know every aspect about a given subject, then this DVD is for you. For those who just want the nitty gritty, thank goodness this set is broken into chapters making it easy to jump ahead. Anyone who is looking to purchase a sharpening system should view the DVD's as Mike demo's most of those you read about on the net.

Reviewer: carolyn p.

This video was very helpful, but just a tad boring...But sharpening my tools is not one of my most favorite things to do... I wish the video had a little more demonstration of sharpening and a little less of the diagrams. all in all, i am not sorry that i rented it.