But what if the grit is part of the process? I've used a cheap marver for years. Those black marks just wipe off with a damp rag after it cools. The slight texture from a cheaper block can actually give you more control on a gather, like a subtle grip. Sometimes the perfect, slick surface makes things move too fast when you're learning.

Actually read a study from a university extension service about this. They said the follow up pruning in years two and three is what makes or breaks a crown reduction. Without it, you just get a bunch of weak, fast growing water sprouts right back into the wires.

Honestly, my buddy was trying to explain the whole thing to his kid last year and totally flipped the dates. He was so sure they happened back to back because one news story he watched as a teen linked them together. Tbh it took him finding an old newspaper clipping at a garage sale to finally see the two year gap. He felt pretty silly but it shows how one wrong fact can stick in your head forever.