bijscherpen

Bijscherpen is the practice of re-sharpening the edge of a cutting tool to restore its cutting performance. In Dutch, bij- is a prefix meaning “again” or “re-,” and scherpen means “to sharpen.” The term is used mainly in woodworking and metalworking to refresh a dull edge without fully re-grinding the entire bevel. It typically aims to preserve the original bevel angle while removing only a small amount of material and re-establishing a clean, working edge.

Tools and methods commonly involved include sharpening stones (water stones, oil stones, or diamond stones), honing guides to maintain the correct angle, and finishing accessories such as leather strops to polish and remove micro-burrs. Depending on the tool, the process may emphasize preserving the back and spine while reforming or refining the apex of the edge.

Process: inspect the edge for nicks or burrs, choose the appropriate angle for the tool, and use progressively finer abrasives to refresh the edge. Maintain a light touch to avoid overheating the metal, which can affect hardness. After refinishing the edge, remove the burr from the backside or with a light stroke on a strop, then test sharpness by light shaving, paper cut, or a gentle pull-test on a soft material.

Applications: Bijscherpen is routinely performed on chisels, plane irons, carving knives, and other edged implements to extend service life between full regrinds. It complements initial sharpening by focusing on edge refreshment rather than re-establishing a new bevel.

See also: sharpening, honing, whetstone.