OK - thanks - I am listening to all the advice. I've told the machinist to hold until I give the OK, pending the advice I get here. On a wedge, wouldn't it be important for both sides - spine to blade - to be the same length? How could I possibly set a bevel on a hone when the blade itself isn't centered between the sides of the spine? The blade sort of looks like this (of course I'm exaggerating):
Attachment 226834
I'm not arguing with good advice - I'm trying to understand. I've been here long enough to see people argue until they get the answer they were looking for in the first place - that's not the case with me.
Adam