As Wayne Miller of Badger Pond used to say, this is here because it has to be somewhere - that is, not pointing at anyone in particular.

I sure didn't know my question was going to trigger such a wide-ranging discussion; it's been interesting to see how many different issues the sharpening task can raise. By and large, this group's great about discussing, disputing, and analyzing ideas. I suspect there are about a million paths leading to the mountain peak of sharpness, and the conversations about the pleasures and hazards of these paths are often illuminating. Bill Tindall even took a minute to write me a side message encouraging me to try freehand sharpening again, and I appreciate his efforts to convince me and acknowledge that I do need to re-examine my sharpening practices.

Some - a few - of us have let the vigor of the discussion push into uncivil responses. In my observation, two things trigger rudeness here: you (this is an abstract "you") think someone's said something that attacks you personally; or you think someone's said something that's wrong, wrong, wrong and bullheaded to boot, and you need to Correct It Right Now.

If you find your emotions getting riled, please do take a breath and reconsider before you post a hot message; maybe step away from the computer and come back later, when you can respond more calmly and with the respect that is typical of this community.