finishing the outlines

When the arching are "roughed" - that usually means the higher point is brought to definitive (or almost), and the rest has been given a little bit more of an arching shape, we bring the edges to the definite set height and make sure they are accurately flat. We call this the platforms. They are a reference point from which the outline of the edge will be refined to its finished form and that has to be to right angle with the platforms so the purflings and the flutings can be flowing. From this the finished arching depends a lot too.

I then finish the outlines.

The edges have an important role in the aesthetic and in the structure. They have to be strong, but they cannot be too thick, they have to be elegant, and even though the finishing of them is the last stage before the plate is glued to the ribs, it's how we treat them during the outline making that lead to what they will look like on the finished instrument. My files will be my main tool to get my edges right and square, but in the corners and the "C"s and like using a razor sharp knife to get a crisp cut in the grain.