Nah, birds are smarter than we give them credit for.

Used a rubbing stone on a patio last July and it saved the whole pour from looking like a desert mess.

Did the ceramic rod actually restore the edge or just realign it like a steel does?

Man that's a great tip. I used to think cutting straight across was the only way to do it, but watching someone work the angle changed my whole view on it. @rayc38 your buddy is right about scraping cleaner off the bone too, that little adjustment adds up fast over a few racks. Once you feel how the blade follows the seam it just makes sense why the texture comes out better.

Huh, that's rough. A buddy of mine tried the same thing with a spring off an old Dodge and it shattered like glass on the second swing.