@Jim from Easy Wood Tools I use carbon steel cutters/tools to turn with and like them a lot.  I liked your comments on these and home made cutters.  I do have a question.

 

When I take mine out and run them over diamond dust stones.......................am I really sharpening them or am I fooling myself. I can see tiny scratches all over the cutter bit

 

 

Our official company line is that we always recommend replacing them.  You are in fact probably making them sharper and improving them.  I can tell you though the equipment and techniques we use to grind and polish them cannot be duplicated.  Our "competitors" don't even come close.  You will never be able to duplicate a genuine EWT carbide fresh out of the package.