All cutting tools must be kept sharp. Dull cutting edges are
dangerous to use as they have a tendency to slip off the metal
rather than bite into it. Burs that slip can cut or pierce your
fingers. Dull cutting edges take longer to perform the work
resulting in lower productivity. They cause excessive heat buildup
that could damage some jewelry or the tools themselves. Dull
cutting edges produce poorer quality work. They leave more burs on
the metal rather than cutting cleanly. In addition, they do not
always cut true, resulting in off centered holes, and un-even or
un-true cutting. Brad Simon CMBJ www.BWSimon.com