Chisel backs

[Kalimna]

Thanks for the reply - I think it answered my question
Regarding the 'hone to 30k prior to important job' remark - I wonder if psychology realy does play an important role here. If you happen to find sharpening slightly therapeutic anyway, perhaps the action of the extra steps puts your mind in a more relaxed place, and therefore one that is les likely to slip up when concentrating?
Not sure I want to start a 'state of mind as a method of improving sharpness' discussion tho........

Cheers,
Adam

 

[Jacob]

......Whether the grit is fine beyond the point of making a reasonable difference to tool performance does not dictate as to where sharpening stops and polishing takes over; they are one and the same. ..........

No they aren't. Sharpening is what you apply to the edge, stropping applies to an area of bevel and the face extending beyond the edge, though obviously it will "sharpen" in the process.
Stropping/polishing is very effective in improving performance. On a plane frinstance applied to the face and front edge of the cap iron, on a spoon gouge applied to the bevel - which comes into very close contact with the surface of the work. The difference can be very noticeable. Yes you no doubt get the same effect with ever finer stones but it's much easier with a strop.
It's not dissimilar from the candle wax on a plane sole effect - dramatic improvement in apparent sharpness without even touching the edge.