Tuning question

Do you guys sharpen your base edge as well or usually just the side edge?

Usually just the side edge. You can’t sharpen the base edge as often with a file. If you’re sharpening the base edge, you’re either putting an increased bevel on the base edge or shedding a bit of the base. The only time you can really sharpen the base edge properly is when you base grind; that way you keep the base flat and the edge at the perfect bevel (whatever angle you want, usually around 1 degree).

The better way to maintain your base edge is freehand with a diamond stone and gummy stone. If you want to keep it in good condition, run a wet diamond stone along the full length of the edge a few times. Remove all the nicks and burrs (hardened spots on the edge caused by impact energy). When you have it nice and smooth, use a softer gummy stone to polish it up and get it smoother.

Once in a while it’s always nice to give the base a base grind and get everything nice and flat with sharp base edges again.

Just the side. Otherwise you are filing your base too and that’s going to slow you down.
But personally I do like to run a diamond stone over both sides of the metal to remove burrs.
After a while I realised just de-burring your edges is way more important that sharpening them. At least when it comes to rails.

Keep in mind that stones are for sharpening and deburring, and files are for setting angles - so if you regularly maintain your edges, you shouldn’t have to use files much at all.

Thanks guys :D