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I have some wire loop tools like this:
I've found they're working wonderfully for carving plaster.
Or, were. Now, the edges seem to be a but more blunt and taking too much pressure to remove material. I can't apply more pressure at this point, because my details are too small.
Is there an easy way, or any way, to sharpen these?
This answer is not based on first-hand knowledge of sharpening wire loops, but is based on extrapolating what works for paint scrapers.
Many years ago while performing one of those early-marriage projects that required the removal of paint from second-hand furniture, I decided that my scraper blade needed to be replaced. Ran over to the local hardware store and the knowledgeable clerk informed me that I did not need a new blade - just sharpen it - doh, really? how?
He proceeded to demonstrate and after thirty seconds and two swipes of a file to the cutting edge I went home. I still have the scraper and blade, though it's much reduced in size.
I would take the same approach with these flat wire loops and use a file to restore the edge. A few firm swipes should produce a nice edge. It might also be possible to treat the edges the same way you would sharpen a pocket knife with a whetstone or with a small hand-held stone. It might be a bit tricky on the curved parts, but I think any artisan could handle a file to create a curved edge.
