Originally Posted by
Warren Mickley
We would crosscut a 2X5 piece or maple by knifing it all around and putting it on a sawing board. Then starting from the far side, we would gradually bring the cut across the face, then saw flat across the width.
The method you use is not so good. If you cut across the thickness say one inch deep and you are just slightly off, that amount gets multiplied by five when you lengthen it to five inches. In other words the initial cut continues to affect your accuracy.
Depending on your purpose, you could cut right up to the knife line or just a little off to be cleaned with a plane. Don't use a block plane.
In the long run, the quality of the manufacturers sharpening is not important.