mikew
>I think it depends on what one finds acceptable as to where each person stops honing. And I do draw a distinction between fine edges and surfaces, and paring mortises, tenon shoulders, etc.

I also rely on scrapers a lot, both hand and plane type.

Hah, the moral of the story on the on-site concrete floor sharpening is when you are 40 miles from home, don't forget a sharpening stone! The river rock 'n' toothpaste: I lived 20 miles from the nearest town, made about $400 a month, mortgage was $200 and I started carving for money. Trust me, the slip stones were the first extravagance I spent money on.

But it does harken back to a time people used what they had, which even under some of the better circumstances was not often what we have available today in steel or sharpening gear.

Ah well. Too much thinking tonight. I came in for coffee. Time for the second shift.

Take care, Mike