Rakes?

[Tony Wells]

Dave, since the most commonly accepted position of the cutting edge itself is on centerline, the top surface of the cutting tool can be neutral, if parallel with the flat ways on the bed, or inclined up or down out of parallel with them. I was simply trying to give a sense of direction of the incline on the top surface. Sorry if that was confusing. If I could sketch up something in paint, I'd post a rough drawing to try and show it, but I thought I'd try to just describe it.

I've heard some people call it "top relief", a term probably not too inaccurate.