Wiley Horne
Hi Steve,

Word pictures are tough sometimes. So here is my understanding of how ‘riding the bevel’ gets started:

1. Vertical strikes about 1/8” from the ends, with the chisel face (the back) toward the end of the mortise (whichever end you’re starting from):

2. The vertical strike makes a stopping point. Now work back from the vertical strike, maybe in 3/16” steps, making successive strikes with the chisel angled say 60 degrees from horizontal, the bevel down, the strike toward the waste, the face of the chisel also toward the waste:

That’s my interpretation. All corrections appreciated!

Wiley