Thread: The Rolling X

I don't know if anyone will get much out of this, but I took a few shots the other day while I was honing because there had been some discussion about "the rolling X" pattern for honing. The razor is one with a very pronounced smile, and the motion has been exaggerated to show the essence of what's happening. Each razor will require a different degree of "roll" in the honing stroke, so just take this as a basic instruction, you'll need to use your own judgment when implementing it.

The first pic shows the starting position; heel on the stone, toe raised up to make contact at the heel.

The second is half way through the stroke, middle of the blade touching, toe still slightly off the stone.

The final shot is the end of the stroke, the toe is the only part of the blade touching the stone.

Hope this helps someone.

(and yes, that razor is an excellent shaver, not pretty, but a great razor for sure)

Some different shots. (again razor with a ridiculous smile to show the motion)

If you look close, you can see in the middle pic that the razor doesn't touch the stone at the toe or heel, which is why the straight honing method does not work for it.

This set shows how to do it without any X pattern necessary.

Thanks Russel. I'm trying to grasp this and I think I'm getting closer (even with your pics, it hasn't completely clicked. I'm the first to admit I'm daft sometimes).

Question: In your first pic of the first post, even though the toe is raised completely off the plate, BOTH the heel edge AND the spine are making complete contact with the plate (looks like DMT to me), correct?

Also, in the first post, are you just pulling the razor laterally off that plate for what would be your honing stroke?? You're not passing the razor north/south on the hone at all? You just flip the razor in the traditional manner and pull laterally with edge away from you for the other side's stroke?

Chris L

Sorry, I was more concerned with holding the camera with my left hand, pushing the button on the right side of the camera, while holding the darn thing steady and also keeping the razor in the right position.

Yes, the back and the edge touch the stone at the same time. You would use a traditional honing stroke using the full length of the stone, I just forgot to move very much while taking pics.

The motion is the same for both sequences, only the first one does a "rolling X" pattern, while the second set focuses on the "rolling hone" which goes straight down the length of the stone.

Nice shots!

X

Great pictures I am going to post my 1.5 hour honing video from the clinic that I gave at the Southern California Straight Razor Get Together in the near future, and this technique is covered.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

Sorry, I was more concerned with holding the camera with my left hand, pushing the button on the right side of the camera, while holding the darn thing steady and also keeping the razor in the right position.

Yes, the back and the edge touch the stone at the same time. You would use a traditional honing stroke using the full length of the stone, I just forgot to move very much while taking pics.

The motion is the same for both sequences, only the first one does a "rolling X" pattern, while the second set focuses on the "rolling hone" which goes straight down the length of the stone.

I've been doing this kind of stroke but with the heel leading so the blade is at about 30-45 degrees on the hone.

I lead with the heel also barneycg, good to know I'm not the only one.

I purchased a pair of Double Arrows and both smiled at me.
After coloring the bevel with marker, I put her on a Shapton 4000 Glasstone. After two rolling x passes the bevel was clean except the last 1/8"on the toe. Raise the scales a tad more on the end of the third pass. Done...clean bevel.
My DA's seem to have a softer steel than any other of my razors.
Between the soft steel and the speed of the Shapton, I had instant feedback on my technique.
Previous to the DA's I had tried to hone a 7/8" Wade & Butcher meat chopper with little success.
Now that same W&B is a Great shaver and the DA's aren't bad ether.