Blake Ashley wrote:
> A slope doesn't actually replicate the effect of a skewed blade, although it
will spread out the wear on the edge.

I would state that (very carefully as)

 > A slope doesn't actually replicate ALL the effectS of a skewed blade,
although it will spread out the wear on the edge.

My own feeling is that one of the major benefits of a skewed blade
is the gradual entry and exit from the cut (when the blade edge is not parallel
to the workpiece edges). This effect is replicated by a sloped shooting ramp.

This has two results; the more obvious of the two is that the force
required to move the plane changes more smoothly; you don't get a BANG
when the cut starts (which could jolt the plane off line, hurt the wrist etc).

But the other result is that as the plane leave the cut, each fibre
on the far edge is supported by the fibre to its side as it is cut;
this has the result of reducing spelching.

  BugBear