That makes sense. I sharpen it by just slapping it on a stone and honing it by hand. It seems very likely that I have increased the angle way too much. Thanks, Rob, I think you've probably hit it on the head.

Patsy

: Along with the other suggestions you've received, you should check the angle
: of your blade itself.

: Many people continue to hone and re-hone the edge of there blade increasing
: the angle
: to the point where, even though sharp, the blade won't cut well because the
: angle is too large.

: If you sharpen your blade by hand without a blade carriage to set the angle
: you can easily create an
: arc on the blade edge instead of a flat bevel. If you have created an arc on
: the blade bevel in front of the
: edge AND your blade angle has gotten too high your blade edge could not even
: touch the wood.

: Time to hone your blade. The blade should be ground to an angle of 20° to 25°
: to start, on a rough stone or
: wheel and then the sharpening angle set to 25° to 30°.

: There is a lot less guess work if you use a blade carriage to set and hold
: your blade instead of doing it freehand.

: If you really want to learn how to sharpen and planes, along with the history
: and every aspect of planes, you can
: pick-up the book "Planecraft" by John Sainsbury, Sterling press.

: All the best,

: Rob Macks
: Laughing Loon CC&K
: www.LaughingLoon.com