Workshop helps participants stay sharp

    DEXTER — Over 40 local owners of dull knives, scissors, hoes, scythes, drill bits and other hand tools converged in the Abbott Memorial Library’s basement Saturday (Jan. 17) morning to share knowledge, experience, theory and techniques for sharpening. This workshop, co-sponsored by Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) and the library, was an experiment in skills-sharing, drawing people from as far away as Skowhegan and Bangor.

    Most participants came with questions about how to begin getting their tools back into sharp condition. In the spirit of sharing, a few of the more-knowledgeable honers set up their tools on tables placed around the basement, allowing seekers ample opportunity to see different approaches to the same end: how to put an edge onto a cutting device.
    Sandpaper on glass, water stones, oil stones, hand-powered grinding wheel, files of all kinds, honing strops and peening jigs were among the items demonstrated to and then used by the curious and hopeful. One of the common admissions was a fear of making a dull implement worse by not knowing how to use a sharpening tool correctly. The antidote for this fear, explained the experienced in their various ways, has three parts: first, to understand what “sharp” means for any particular tool, that is, what does a sharp edge look like; second, which sharpening tool can do the proper job; third (and most important), the courage to jump in and keep trying.
    Sharing essential community skills is a major part of DDATT’s mission. DDATT is grateful for volunteers Tom Goldsmith of Dexter, Robert Elliot of Dover-Foxcroft, Norris Davis from Harmony, Stephanie Reiser from St. Albans, Gerry Amelotte of Troy and Richard Tessier of Skowhegan who energetically and thoughtfully demonstrated techniques and lifetimes of hand tool experience with the group.
    “I am so pleased with this event!,” said Librarian Liz Breault, “We had no idea there would be so much interest, especially in the middle of winter.” Dexter’s Pam Crooker, attending a DDATT workshop for the first time and “learning a lot”, expressed hope for more such events.
    For more information on DDATT and future events, email info@ddatt.org to get on the email mailing list or give a call to either 277-4221 or 924-3638.