I would respectfully disagree. Too many people I respect teach polishing the back.
Ron Hock's book is handy: "Proper honing of a chisel relies on properly flattening the back. As with plane irons, a flat, polished back is essential to a sharp edge." (p 125)
Ernie Conover always teaches that a sharp edge depends on both planes, the bevel and the back. He takes both to 8000 grit.
My forty year old Stanley butt chisels have done the heavy work for me. They frequently have received nicks. I can always see myself looking at the backs. Is this overkill or just good sharpening technique? (Actually the mirror backs go back to when they were my only chisels and did dovetails as well as rough work. I would still polish rough chisel backs.)
Ken
Ron Hock's book is handy: "Proper honing of a chisel relies on properly flattening the back. As with plane irons, a flat, polished back is essential to a sharp edge." (p 125)
Ernie Conover always teaches that a sharp edge depends on both planes, the bevel and the back. He takes both to 8000 grit.
My forty year old Stanley butt chisels have done the heavy work for me. They frequently have received nicks. I can always see myself looking at the backs. Is this overkill or just good sharpening technique? (Actually the mirror backs go back to when they were my only chisels and did dovetails as well as rough work. I would still polish rough chisel backs.)
Ken