To use it, you first cut your work oversize and then trim to the exact length required with the trimmer. (A miter trimmer does not make through cuts.) The blades have high-speed steel inserts and come honed ready for use. They are easily removed for sharpening when it becomes necessary. (Note: with a miter trimmer the blades should be honed only on the bevel side to maintain the ideal cutting action of the tool.) The shearing cut from the low-bevel skewed blades leaves a silky finish even in softwoods.
This tool has numerous uses outside the picture framing field – anywhere that accurate trimming or shaping is required.