Firmly hold small plane blades when honing

Itty-bitty blades, like those on plow planes or small shoulder planes, can be hard to hold steady while sharpening. This little jig precisely secures the tiniest blade. Simply cut a triangular block of wood at an angle matching the blade's bevel. Into this piece bore a hole large enough to accommodate the jaw of a small C-clamp. Use the clamp to secure the blade as shown while stroking the blade edge on a flat abrasive surface.
—Charles Mak, Calgary, Alta.