I read the dated topic by E.Smith but was told to start a new one because of the other topic's age. What I know from nuthin' because I am new to the forum?
Anyway, one of the best lesson learned in my shoemaking and saddlemaking career was to take another step beyone stropping. Using a wheel at 1700 rpm or less, whether electric or foot powered, with a little common rouge will yield a polished blade.
Nothing dulls a blade like cutting leather, and I have already found in trying to restore my recently bought Frankenrifle that it also works on wood.
Once your blade is sharp, and you are pretty sure most of the burrs are gone, use a light hand to polish the blade. Stay on the plane of the blade and don't apply too much pressure. I poo-pooed it unitl I tried it.
My old shoemaker master taught me that, when you can hear the grinding noise of your cut, whether on leather or wood, your blade is too dull. Sure enough, being slow on the uptake, the noise of my blade or chisel cutting turned out to be like an alarm bell.
When I stepped back and paid attention to the blade, and when I went slowly, I stopped a lot of mistakes. What a surprise.
Bad enough the wood on Frankenrifle is dry and chipped already, but I already made one mistake in inletting the rear thimble pipe while relieving some nasty chips. Shoulda polished the blade, mate....
Don't shoot yore eye out, kid
Greg Geiger
The Capgun Kid
