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Hi all just curious how you all make diamond shank? There's is no wrong way.
Do you turn you shank round and file/sand it flat or maybe you start with a square
Just curious what's your preference.

I use a sanding disk at 36/40 grit to get my panels shaped to right about were I want them, then tweak the final shape with 150 disk. It goes without saying, and you should be doing it anyways, but it is CRUCIAL to shape the stem and stummel together. I cut the slot first, then orient the stem on the stummel before shaping. That way the slot acts as a centering point to orient your panels around otherwise you'll end up with a trapezoid if you've never done it before. I'll use files to make any adjustments to the shank/bowl junction if necessary, and a quick once over the panels to ensure they are perfectly level before shaping the rest of the stem, whether it be tapered or saddle.

I turn the shank round first. I rough shape the bottom of the bowl first then I cut the slot like Manny as a reference point. I then draw a centerline on top and bottom and on both sides. I then shape on the 40 grit sanding disc using my lines as a reference. Once you get it close, turn the stem upside down and true everything up. I then move to 220 grit on the sanding disc. I get it pretty close to finished then tweak a little by hand with files and sandpaper.

I usually start with a fat round shank with center and side lines marked for reference. That keeps things pretty even. And just grind it carefully on the belt (which leaves it a little convex, and I fix that with a soft disc).

I did one recently with a square acrylic rod, and just turned that thing "diamond" ways and made it smaller and smaller. No better or worse for result. At the end of the day, being real careful is the "secret". No big secret.