Introducing another new product just in time for Handworks 2026, the Sterling Tool Works Fishtail JawsTM.
The Sterling Fishtail JawsTM was an idea that I had for many years to help hone Fishtail Chisels. The nature of fishtail chisels makes them notoriously difficult to hone and create secondary bevels. Most makers encourage people to free hand hone fishtail chisels. I had this idea to hold these types of chisels about 10 years ago. However, my idea was quite cost prohibitive as machining the jaws would require a 5 Axis mill that is very expensive. My recent use of 3D printing for our honing guide kit and customer acceptance of this material encouraged me to finally bring this idea to a product at a reasonable price. End your frustration with honing your fishtail chisels with these Fishtail Jawsä. Repeatable results achieved with the right tool for the job!
The Sterling Fishtail JawsTM are designed to mount on the Lie-Nielsen honing guide. We regard this honing guide as the absolutely best in the market and perfect for mounting these accessory jaws. The jaws are manufactured by 3D printing PTEG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) filament to our design. PTEG is a 3D printing material that blends the ease of use with the strength and heat resistance of ABS plastic and is a great material for these jaws.
The Sterling Fishtail JawsTM provide solid clamping of Lie-Nielsen Fishtail Chisels allowing for about 1/3 of an inch of travel to hone the existing angle of the factory chisel angle or steepening up for a secondary bevel. The texture of the clamping surface that contacts the chisel shaft helps grab the chisel securely without marring the shaft or socket of the Chisel. The hardware of the jaws is stainless steel so the entire jaw set is fine to be used in the wet environment of waterstone sharpening stations.
We will have a LIMITED number of these Jaws for sale Handworks but will be taking preorders for delivery by the end of September as we ramp up production.
Would you consider selling the file so we can 3d print ourselves?
Hello Benjamin,
Thank you for your comment. At this time I am not considering selling the print file. I have considered a way to do this (by electrontically signing a contract that its use is a one time print file for personal use) as most woodworkers are standup people and would not share the file with others.
The consideration for this instance with the jaws is that the Jaws need to have 4 stainless steel dowel pins pressed into the bottom of the jaws as well as 4 specially machined screws to be captured in the jaws. So the print file as is would be no help to be usable without these items. Printing the jaws with plastic pins were just not durable enough. Someone could drill out the threads and have the screws be non captured, but this is not desirable. I hope this helps to explain that at this time its just not feasable.
Thanks for the thoughtful response! I will be purchasing soon!
Please notify me when the pre-orders are being accepted
Hi Jim,
I have made the Fishtail JawsTM available in the store, My son is already printing more. I will need to make more screws and assemeble them. They will begin shipping by the 18th in the order that orders were placed.
Thank you,
Chris