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same condition later will take only a few minutes.

Next it is time to do the same procedure to the bottom flat of the blade. Again bring it to a mirror finish going through the various grits of paper. As before, this only needs to be done once, and have a minor touch up on occasion.

With the back side polished, the bevel of the blade will need honing. A good jig to hold the proper angle will help out. This too wants to be a polished edge, with no burr left on the back side. Switching between the front and back will eventually form a wire edge that will gradually break away.

Now you want to check the opening in the sole, where the blade protrudes, and check for smoothness. You may want to run a file on this, just to clean it up a bit. Often they're a little rough. The same goes for the bed of the blade.

Waxing the bottom of the sole will help to protect the metal, as well as allow it to glide across the wood. Once done, reassemble the plane and adjust the blade square to the body, and set the depth for a fine cut.

You'll be amazed at the difference in which the blades slices through the wood, and the resulting surface of the area planed. It will appear to be burnished, as it will glimmer in the light.

An occasional touch up will take very little time, and will keep the shavings flying out of the plane.

Learn more about this author, Lee Jesberger.
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