Tonight I was sharpening a batch of small folders and without realizing it, found I was using a particular stroke to avoid damaging the point. I use a very deliberate “down and toward me” motion, beginning with the stone sitting on the point. I only let about 1/3 of the stone width extended past the point. This ensures that the stone is flat on the bevel and cannot rock about the tip.
On a somewhat related matter, I also solve the problem of getting the pronounced grind lines one stone width from the rise at the heel (the ricasso). Using the same principle as described above, I start strokes from the near end of the bevel with the stone resting flat on the bevel and the side of the stone resting against the ricasso. Strokes are then started forward and upward. The idea is to never allow the stone to move vertically at this point, a motion which will cause a distinct whoopsie in the bevel appearance.
You blend the grind lines from the two motions somewhere in the middle. In the knives I was doing, the blades are only 2″ long, so the “down and toward me” strokes are almost full length.
Granted, this whole method requires deliberate motions. For the most part, I stone one side at a time, taking care not to deviate from the principles I described here.
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