Very good first attempts, Coop.
The rest is PRACTICE.
I don't use a tool rest for hollow grinding, but do use one when flat grinding small folder blades.
I do use a push stick for profiling and initial grinds before hardening, but stick to bare hands after hardening.
A bucket of water on a low table just under the whell catches dust and sparks, and also serves as a convenient cooling dunk after each pass on the wheel.
For small folder blades, I needed something better than the blade to hold onto, and fashioned a few holders from scrap steel which engage the blade at the pivot pin hole, which I drill after profiling. Another approach is to make double ended blades and use one as the holder - good for most steels, but not always practical for expensive damascus.
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