are there any decent techniques for squaring a chisel blade?

[G S Haydon]

Cheshirechappie - Washita is a natural stone.

As an aside, Rose also mentions that he prefers a narrow stone for sharpening wide plane irons. He had a 1 3/4", and would not entertain a 2". The reason he gave is that it tends to avoid hollowing of the middle of the stone, as there is a tendency to use the middle of wider stones to sharpen narrower tools.
.

Also mentioned in Modern Practical Joinery by George Ellis 1902

 

[bugbear]

Cheshirechappie - Washita is a natural stone.

As an aside, Rose also mentions that he prefers a narrow stone for sharpening wide plane irons. He had a 1 3/4", and would not entertain a 2". The reason he gave is that it tends to avoid hollowing of the middle of the stone, as there is a tendency to use the middle of wider stones to sharpen narrower tools.
.

Also mentioned in Modern Practical Joinery by George Ellis 1902

I've quoted Rose on this point multiple times, but not noticed it in Ellis - thanks for pointing that out.

Edit;

[Oilstones]They should be not less than 8 in. long and from 1½ in to 1¾ wide, not more, as wider ones wear hollow quickly, and require frequent rubbing down.

BugBear

 

[iNewbie]

These stupid expensive gadgets here aren't Japanese!

I was looking at that yesterday on another site. It says it from Hatsuhiro - the famous Japanese Plane Blade maker.

Hatsuhiro

 

[GazPal]

Quite a few prefer/preferred using a narrower stone as a means of avoiding dishing - as I'd mentioned earlier - and typical stone widths tended to vary between 1.5" - 2.0", but the comparatively recent fashion surrounding honing guides and Japanese methods seems to have popularised the use of wider stones, as well as much finer grits.

Another tip that seems to have been neglected is where the thin edge of stones can be used to hone narrower blades/irons. This helps reduce dishing to the primary surface, as well as maximising use of the stone's available surfaces.

 

[Sheffield Tony]

I've seen several video's of Japanese woodworkers, but never any of them sharpening.

How refreshing is that ?