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Flatten and Hone the Back of the Tools
To achieve a really sharp and durable edge, both of the two converging surfaces must be
smooth. If we sharpen and hone the bevel to perfection but the back is not equally flat and
smooth, you will never achieve a satisfactory result. On most new tools, the back has vis-
ible grooves from the manufacturing process. These should be removed and the surface
honed and polished.
Working free-hand, remove the grooves on the side of the grindstone and then hone and
polish the surface on the leather honing wheel. This work only needs to be done once, when
you start using the tool. It is a good investment in your quality tool and will last its lifetime.
Flatten the back of the tool by
holding it flat to the grindstone
while moving it slightly.
Note
Keep the tool absolutely flat against the grindstone. Otherwise the tip
can cut into the wheel and be rounded off. Let the side of the tool rest on the
Universal Support which should be placed close to the stone as shown. You
do not need to smooth the tool more than 25–30 mm (1–1¼") from the edge.
Before you start grinding,
check that the stone is true
by letting the Universal
Support touch the stone.
If necessary, true it with
the Truing Tool TT-50 so
the surface is flat and parallel
to the Universal Support.
Preparations
Hone the back free-hand.
Hold the tool so it is a tangent
to the wheel.
