Wood pre build

[Crow#21957]

Is there anything a person can do to highly figured curly maple prior to starting a build to make it less apt to chip out while shaping?

 

[billraby]

Sharpen you tools.

 

[user 34300]

Once my cutting tools are really sharp I strop them frequently. I have a piece of leather glued to a piece of wood. I rub jeweler's rouge on it once in a while. Anytime I notice cutting is not smooth or I see a glint on the gutting edge, I go to the strop.

 

[SDSmlf]

Scary sharp tools and practice. Use the areas on your piece wood that will disappear as you look inside it for the stock as a practice surface.