Abstract: Polishing systems, subsystems and pads adapted for use in conjunction with a polisher. A relatively incompressible backing pad is configured to be attached to a drive system of the polisher. The backing pad includes at least one substantially straight backing pad edge along a perimeter thereof. A relatively compressible polishing pad is configured to be attached to the backing pad, to be driven in contact with a surface to be polished. The polishing pad includes at least one substantially straight polishing pad edge along a perimeter thereof corresponding to the at least one substantially straight backing pad edge when the polishing pad is attached to the backing pad.