I picked up a nice "coffin" smoother from the Auction site that shall not be named;
complete with original wedge, cap iron and tapered blade stamped Sheffield steel.
I can get the blade sharp, but not flat.
It appears to be curved along both the length and width of the back.
Every time I mark out the back, and worry at it on my coarsest stone,
it appears that the blade takes on a subtle curve.
I wonder if it's the threads of the cap iron screw pulling things out of alignment.
Is that even possible?
I've verified that the cap iron is flat, but it doesn't meet the back of the blade.
It's all-too-easy for shavings to pack into the corners and jam the works.
I'm into this for not much money (more in domestic shipping than the final price)
but I don't want to abandon the effort just yet.
What steps can I take, without machine tools?
I've got files, a lapping plate and a sandpaper library.
The files just skate off the blade, it's so hard.
Flummoxed in Taxachusetts....