Skew too long for sharpening jig

[bjbear76]

I recently acquired a new 3/4" skew that I've found is too long for my one-way sharpening jib. The overall length is about 2" too long. The only 2 solutions I've come up with so far is either sawing off a couple inches of the handle or learning to sharpen freehand style. Has anyone else had this issue or have any ideas to remedy this problem?

 

[Woodchipper]

Use the platform for freehand sharpening. I find it's faster.

 

[jttheclockman]

I sharpen my skews by hand. very easy to do. probably the easiest tool in the turners kit to sharpen by hand. Basically lay it flat on the tool rest and adjust the angle so the skew lays flat against the wheel. Mark the flats of the skew with a sharpie. Now slowly by hand spin the wheel and see how much sharpie you take off and if it is flat. Adjust accordingly. After that a few passes is all that is needed. do both sides. No need to take too much steel off

 

[duncsuss]

... have any ideas to remedy this problem?

As others have said - the skew is by far the simplest tool to sharpen freehand. Set the platform to the correct angle using JT's method, rest the tool flat on the platform so the cutting edge is parallel to the platform edge, and push the whole thing across the platform taking a gentle grind (don't pivot unless you want a "Lacer-style" curved edge.) Spin the tool and do the same thing for the second side. That's it. Very little metal removed, less than a minute.