Base edge maintenance?

[SpeedyKevin]

Hello folks!

So after a day of skiing, I like to maintain the side edge by running a 400grit diamond stone a few times. But was wondering if there was any need to maintain the base edge? I normally run an Arkansas stone on the base edge after deburring the side edge with 200/400/600 grit diamond stones but worry about over beveling the base.

 

[NE1]

I run a fine ceramic stone down the base edge, held perfectly aligned
(flat) to the base edge angle. If it catches on a burr I then gingerly work it in the same manner with the finest diamond stone that will do the job.
If you have a fine Arkansas stone I would think that would be ok too.

 

[James]

Pretty much only for burrs from skiing or filing. Arkansas on base is good for hanging burrs if you file the side edge.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Pretty much only for burrs from skiing or filing. Arkansas on base is good for hanging burrs if you file the side edge.

I occasionally maintain the side edges with 200/400/600 stones instead of 400, would the 200 stone case any hanging burrs?

 

[James]

I occasionally maintain the side edges with 200/400/600 stones instead of 400, would the 200 stone case any hanging burrs?

It’s doubtful they’re really sharp just using stones “occasionally”, but that’s another matter. Diamond stones and abrasive stones by hand don’t generally leave burrs. I’d say never but who knows.

 

[Scrundy]

I pretty much feel the base with my fingers. If I feel a anomaly, I just take a stroke or two with a fine stone. You also don’t need to do the whole edge if you just got a bad spot. Angle really isn’t important but you want to be close to flat. As a general rule it’s rare to need to touch up base.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

thank you all for the insights!