The Katz-Moses sharpening jig is a top clamp honing guide. It is built for chisels and plane irons, not kitchen knives. Brass thumb screws hold the blade from above and the body rolls on a single wheel across the stone.
That puts it in the same family as the Veritas guide and the old Eclipse style. It is not a knife guided system. People search for this jig partly because a well known furniture maker sells it and promotes it on video.
What the katz-moses sharpening jig actually does
The manufacturer lists a blade width capacity of 1/16 inch up to 2 5/8 inches. That covers a narrow mortise chisel and a large plane iron alike. Blade thickness tops out around 0.4 inch.
A removable magnetic fence gives positive stops at 35, 45, and 90 degrees. Two built in shelves are set at 25 and 30 degrees, the two bevels most woodworkers use. A clip on attachment adds a lower range that starts at 20 degrees.
The same fence also works as a fulcrum for skewed blades. The manufacturer rates skew handling up to 45 degrees. The body uses brass thumb screws and a brass roller.
Price sits around $80 on the manufacturer’s own site. That puts it well above a basic Eclipse style guide. It lands roughly in line with other premium honing guides.
How it compares to a Veritas or Eclipse guide
The core mechanism matches the top clamp design of the Veritas honing guide. Owner reports call this out directly. A recurring complaint is that a new fence and housing do not fix the old gripe about top clamp guides, which is whether the blade is held any more securely.
A second recurring complaint concerns the roller itself. Because the wheel is wide, it eats into usable stone width on a narrow chisel. It also makes hand cambering a plane iron awkward on a waterstone.
Against a basic Eclipse style guide, this jig wins on build quality and on the built in angle stops. Against the Veritas guide specifically, owner reports treat the two as close cousins. Neither one clearly beats the other.
| Guide | Clamp style | Angle setting | Price band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katz-Moses Universal | Top clamp, magnetic fence | Fixed stops plus clip on range | Around $80 | Check Price |
| Veritas honing guide | Top clamp | Fine angle adjustment | $$ | Check Price |
| Eclipse style guide | Top clamp | Manual projection measuring | $ |
Katz-Moses Universal Sharpening Jig
Best for Fixed Angle Stops
Top clamp guide | 1/16 to 2 5/8 inch capacity | around $80
The manufacturer lists this as a general purpose guide for chisels and plane irons. Owner reports treat it as a well built variation on a familiar top clamp design. It is not a new mechanism.
It suits a woodworker who wants fixed angle stops and does not already own a guide. It is a weak upgrade pick if you already own a Veritas guide with no complaints.
Pros
- Fixed stops at 25, 30, 35, 45, and 90 degrees
- Handles a wide range of blade widths
- Brass hardware feels sturdier than steel guides
Cons
- Same top clamp design as the guide it competes with
- Wide roller crowds narrow stones
- Hand cambering is harder than on a slim wheel
A stone and a chisel set to pair with a guide like this
A honing guide is only half the setup. Chisels that were never flattened at the back will fight any jig. A stone with real flatness and a fast coarse side matters more than the jig brand.
DMT DuoSharp Plus 8in Fine/Coarse (WM8FC-WB)
Diamond Stone Pairing
Continuous diamond surface | fine and coarse sides | flattens fast
The manufacturer lists this as a two grit diamond plate with a continuous surface. It stays flat for years, unlike loose oil or water stones. That flatness matters most when a guide handles the angle work.
It suits anyone setting up a full chisel and plane sharpening station. Skip it if you already own a flat coarse stone you trust.
Pros
- Stays flat over time, unlike oil or water stones
- Two grits on one plate
- No soaking or flattening maintenance
Cons
- Diamond plates cost more than basic stones
- Coarse side alone will not polish an edge
Narex Chisel Sharpening Set
Chisel Set Option
Multi piece chisel set | factory ground bevels | budget friendly
New chisels rarely arrive with a bevel ready for finish work. This set is a common starting point for a jig based sharpening routine. The manufacturer lists bevel angles that match this jig’s built in 25 and 30 degree shelves.
It suits someone assembling a first chisel kit alongside a new guide. Skip it if you already own chisels you like.
Pros
- Bevel angles line up with common jig presets
- Full set covers most joinery widths
- Reasonable price for a starter kit
Cons
- Backs need flattening before first use
- Not a premium steel option
Mistakes to skip
Do not skip flattening the chisel back before clamping it in. A guide only controls the bevel side. A hollow or rounded back will still ruin the edge.
Do not trust the clip on angle attachment blind. Check the actual angle it produces against a target once. Figure out the exact angle your bevel needs before locking the fence.
Do not force a wide plane iron into a narrow stone with this jig’s roller. The wheel width needs a stone with real surface area. A pocket sized stone meant for a knife guided system will not work well here.
The bottom line: This jig is a solidly built top clamp guide with useful fixed angle stops. It does not solve the old complaint owners already had about that clamping style. Buy it for the built in stops, not because it is a mechanical leap over a Veritas or Eclipse style guide.
FAQ
What angles does the katz-moses sharpening jig support?
Fixed stops sit at 25, 30, 35, 45, and 90 degrees. A clip on attachment adds a lower range that starts at 20 degrees.
Will it work on plane irons as well as chisels?
Yes. The manufacturer lists capacity up to 2 5/8 inches wide, which covers a large plane iron.
Is it better than a Veritas guide?
Owner reports describe them as close cousins. Both use a top clamp design. Neither one settles the blade security question some woodworkers raise about that style.
Can it handle skewed blades?
The magnetic fence works as a fulcrum for skewed edges. The manufacturer rates it up to 45 degrees of skew.
Does it come with a stone?
No. It is a holding jig only. Pair it with a flat, trustworthy stone such as a coarse and fine diamond plate.
Is the katz-moses sharpening jig worth it if I already own an Eclipse style guide?
Only if you specifically want the fixed angle shelves. If your current guide already holds an angle you trust, this one will not change your results.
Sources
- KM Tools: Katz-Moses Universal Sharpening Jig product page. https://kmtools.com/products/katz-moses-universal-sharpening-jig
For the wider picture, see other jigs built specifically for chisel work, or the broader lineup of chisel sharpening gear we cover. If you would rather skip the jig entirely, the full process for putting a bevel on a chisel by hand covers that route.
Plane owners can check setting up a plane iron for a clean cut. Anyone shopping guides for other edge tools should look at the wider world of jig styles for edge tools. For everything else in the category, browse the rest of our sharpening gear reviews.