I was re-reading the instruction manual for the Veritas Honing Guide (yes, I admit I read manuals) and saw this picture.
That gave me an idea on how to flatten/polish the face of an iron. Since the ruler trick puts a very small back bevel, I figure I could replicate this back bevel angle using the guide and the appropriate offset.
My stone sits on 3/4" ply bench hook and it only took a 1/2" MDF board to provide the required offset.
I think I'm going to like this way better, since the ruler seems to always move around on me and other annoying things.
So has anyone else tried this and/or know that there is a flaw here?