Just a quick run through for those without all the fancy sharpening gizmos like what ive spent a year to pay off.
For a basic 90degree V-graver to use for bead setting it doesnt take a whole lot. I know with all the gadgets ot there it can seem confusing at first. They start off about 1/8" (3mm) square. thats a lot of metal to have to remove by hand every time you need to resharpen/polish. So, get as much out of the way right from the start.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8540664370/in/photostreamUsing a grinder, belt sandre, of flex shaft cut it down to around 1/3-1/4 of what it was to start with. Taper this back about 3/4" (20mm) Starting at the tip and grinding tward the handle, and quinching after each stroke. This pushes the heat away from the tip which can over heat very easily as you remove more and more metal. If you begin to see any color quinch immediately. Do not let color go beyond a light or medium straw color or it will draw out too much of the hardness and need to be rehardened and tempered. (thats a whole other lesson on its own)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8540663926/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8539559613/in/photostream/Fron here 600grit should be more than enough to shapt the fave of the graver. Holding the graver firmly around 35-50degree angle, use the tip the tips of the thumb and index finger as guides to keep the angle from shifting too much. Usung long even strokes will also help keep the the face from developing a slught curve to it. I use side to side strokes, but others get fine results from front to back, or smal circles. Repete this with 1200grit, and then even finer to get a polished face.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8539559177/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8539558841/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8540662364/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8539558127/in/photostream/Here are some others that have a wider V, which can be ordered preground tith exact angles. From there the steps would be the same to prepare them for use.
The 90degree (far right) eas just shaped. In the middle has a 105degree V (just got in mail today) On the left is a 120degree whish is useful when you need a wider cut, but do not have the deepth it would require to make as wide a cut with a 90degree graver
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8539557825/in/photostream/Here they are again, mounted in wooden handle, freas out of the package, and mounted in fancy pants $4 each cuick change holder
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiseaumetalarts/8540661414/in/photostream/Any questions or if there is something i missed, dont hesitate to contact me.
