In consequence, minute shavings are driven between these two irons and choking soon results.

The remedy is to sharpen the cap, so that its edge makes a close fit with the cutter.

The fit may be made still tighter by rubbing with a screwdriver the edge of the cap down on the cutter after it is screwed in place.
In no tool is it more important to keep the cutter sharp than in the plane.

To remove the cutter, in order to sharpen it, first loosen the clamp lever and remove the clamp.

Carefully remove the cap and cutter taking pains not to let the edge hit any part of the plane, then using the clamp as a screwdriver, loosen the cap-screw and slide the cap back along the slot in the cutter, where it can be held fast by a turn of the cap-screw.