That "coarse edge bites" line from @patriciarivera is spot on. It reminds me of sharpening old wood chisels in my dad's garage. I'd get them mirror-smooth on a fine stone, but they'd just skate over the wood. Then he'd show me how a few quick passes on the rough side of the stone gave it real teeth that dug in and worked. The smooth finish looked nicer, but the rough one actually did the job.

My first solo job in Albany was for a lady who swore her flue was clogged with a bird's nest. I almost went straight for the camera, but I remembered my training and just felt for the damper handle. It was shut tight, probably hadn't been opened in years. She was so embarrassed she tipped me an extra twenty. That lesson sticks with you.

Remember when my friend's password got guessed last year?