Just passing it along???

[Slowhand Bob]

There was a 'Letter to Editor' in the wifes latest wood carving magazine fro an individual that, if true, might be of interest to us.  The person claims that since she started using the self healing mats for quilting and noticed that the roller blades rarely needed sharpening, so she tried it with her carving knives and found that a few cuts were equivalent to touching up the blade.  She claims to keep a small swatch of the self healing material handy at the bench, just for touching up blades with one or two shallow cuts. 

Do not shoot the messenger on this one as I have not tested it at all yet but I am left with one major question.  If thet stuff is really self healing, how do you cut a small piece off, wouldnt they just reconnect when you close up fer the night?  OH well, yall just let me know.

[rickk]

"Poundo board"... they do work well. They don't last forever, but they will last a heck of a long time.

I've gone thru about 10 hides worth of projects on my present board. I do have a spare new one, but haven't considered giving up the old one yet. 

[bedbugbilly]

Those boards heal right up if you cut a chunk out of one - theiy're kinds like starfish - cut a leg off of one and it will grow a new one back . . . .   

[rickk]

Mine don't regrow... when I cut a piece off, I hope that it hides someplace and grows into an entire new poundo board.

Seriously though, it will put less wear and tear on blades than a wood backing, and they last a heck of a long time. Truthfully, I have yet to cut a piece off of it. There are a few holes that did not heal well... I think I was punching some holes in sheet copper that day.

Trying not to laugh too much at the original claim, my cutting tools still DO need occasional sharpening and replaceable blades still need replacing.

[Slowhand Bob]

I do not think this is the same material as our poundo boards are made of, seems to plyable.  I cant remember the brand mentioned but Olfa and others market these in the sewing/crafts dept to use under rotary cutters, usually green in coler and scaled.  I have a large mat on one table but mostly as a last line of protection between my bench top and knives but it is also good for some layout work, with its built in measurement markings.  It was very pricey for the bench top size so a smaller one would be in order for this sharpening experiment.

[rickk]

OK...

A poundo board is a "self healing" board, but it is quite possible that there are other "self healing" boards.

I'll go with the real deal and continue to be happy with it.