There's a bit of debate on that one. Some books also show figure-8 in
sharpening some items. For coarser grits, though, I'd agree with you.

I've used those stones on the jointer for years. It does help to keep them
clean and just touch up the edge. However, as mentioned, they are not made to
remove knicks in the edge.

A sizeable knick requires grinding back the edge and restoring the bevel
before sharpening.
GerryG

On 22 Feb 2005 17:06:08 -0800, wrote:

I'm with George. Sharpening of tools has to be 90 degrees to the
cutting surface. Otherwise, you are just creating weak spots for the
material to knock the edge off.