I'd tend to agree with Mark. A tool pitted on the flat,, anywhere close to where the edges might meet after several sharpenings is going to be hard to give a nice edge on.
It really depends on the individual item. I see dozens of examples at ontario antique shows each year,, and haven't brought one home yet. They tend to be so pitted,, it wouldn't be worth the energy. Even with time on your hands. my 2 cents!
