Cutting edge honing process

A cutting tool honing system for a rotary cutting tool having an upper tool portion, a tip portion and cutting edges at least partially therebetween, the system comprising:

• a liquid bath within which the cutting tool is receivable, the bath including an abrasive granular media therein;
• a cutting tool holder adapted for engaging the cutting tool, the cutting tool holder being operable to rotate the cutting tool about a central axis thereof;
• a means for producing a relative displacement between the cutting tool and the liquid bath, such that a relative flow of the liquid bath over the cutting edges of the cutting tool hones said cutting edges;
• and
• wherein the central axis is oriented an angle relative to a vertical axis such that the upper tool portion of the cutting tool is upstream of the tip portion thereof relative to the relative flow of liquid bath over the cutting edges.

A cutting edge honing process for a rotary cutting tool having an upper tool portion, a tip portion and cutting edges at least partially therebetween, the process comprising:

• inserting the cutting tool into a liquid abrasive media bath such that at least the cutting edges are immersed;
• orienting the cutting tool within the abrasive media bath at an angle relative to a vertical axis;
• rotating the cutting tool about a central axis thereof within the abrasive media bath;
• providing a relative displacement of the cutting tool and the liquid abrasive media bath;
• and
• selecting the angle such that the upper tool portion of the cutting tool is upstream of the tip portion thereof relative to a direction of the relative displacement.