{"product_id":"261017-17th-october-2026-at-the-cutting-edge-blade-sharpening","title":"261017|17th October 2026|At the Cutting Edge - Blade Sharpening","description":"\u003ctable class=\"overview\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 27%;\"\u003eLocation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLeicester Print Workshop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr id=\"time\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDate \u0026amp; Time\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSaturday 17th October 2026\u003cbr\u003e10.00am - 1.00pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eExperience\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr id=\"teacher\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTutor \u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRichard Renouf \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"details\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintaining razor-sharp tools for lino and wood-block cutting is a vital skill. In this hands-on course you will learn about blades and gouges, and how to maintain and care for them. You will learn about the different tools and techniques that you can use to ensure they are in the best condition at all times.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou'll make your own sharpening strop and emery board, and be able to practice what you learn on some blunt blades which will be provided. You can make your own blade from a blank and\/or you can bring your own tools along for specific guidance. The skills will be useful in many other applications too. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe price includes a £10 fee for your own emery board, strop and knife blank that you will keep.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCourse Structure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction to the workshop and health and safety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake your own strop and sharpening board using materials provided\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat makes a blade? And what makes it sharp? Learn the basic principles that relate to blades, gouges and vee-gouges for print makers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafe and effective stropping of straight and curved blades, gouges, vee-gouges and unusual blade shapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractice stropping using dull blades provided\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDemonstration of diamond sharpening stones and Japanese waterstones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake you own simple knife from a metal blank using materials provided\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen forum for questions about specific sharpening issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportant notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will be shown how to sharpen safely, but cut-proof (carver’s) gloves or finger cots are recommended, especially if you use your fingerprint to unlock your phone!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are invited to bring along a few of your own tools for specific advice if you wish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLeicester Print Workshop \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeicester Print Workshop is the regional development centre for printmaking. Established by artists in 1986, we are a registered charity, supported by Arts Council England. Our RIBA award-winning building is situated in Leicester City Centre's Cultural Quarter and is home to a large, well equipped open access Printmaking Studio.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe have over 30 years’ experience of teaching people printmaking. Our programme offers the largest number and broadest range of printmaking courses in the region, with courses suitable for beginners as well as experienced printmakers, delivered by practicing artists and nationally renowned tutors. Participants learn in small and friendly groups in our purpose-designed studio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBookings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnline:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eYou can book online here by credit \/ debit card or Paypal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTelephone:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eYou can pay by card over the phone during our opening hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm). Call us on 0116 251 4174.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn person:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCall in to Leicester Print Workshop during our opening hours\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm) \u003c\/span\u003eto book and pay by card, cash or cheque.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre-course information:\u003c\/strong\u003e We will send you details of how to find us and what to bring with you when we process your booking.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eConcessions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull-Print Members of Leicester Print Workshop are entitled to a 10% discount on our inhouse courses. Interested in joining LPW as a member?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.leicesterprintworkshop.com\/studio\/how_to_use_the_studio\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick here for more information.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Leicester Print Workshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57546508599679,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1236\/6756\/files\/BladeSharpening_7791f548-7aac-4c70-ac5b-33b76030cee3.png?v=1686665758","url":"https:\/\/checkout.leicesterprintworkshop.com\/products\/261017-17th-october-2026-at-the-cutting-edge-blade-sharpening","provider":"Leicester Print Workshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}