Lighten the honing stoke from the bottom side

I looked through here as well as my limited computer skills allow and didn't see this anywhere so I figured I would bring this up...

Does anyone else place a washcloth under their stone while honing or under the stone holder if you use one????

I swear it allows for just enough give while I hone to actually lighten the stroke from the bottom side also... Keep in mind I am not talking a fully folded cloth but just one fold just enough to give it a very slight cushion while honing???? If you haven't tried this give it a try and let me know your results....

Interesting notion, Glen. I can't say I've noticed that it adds a small amount of cushion, but I've always placed a once folded bar towel under my stone holder when I hone. I've done this to absorb the water rather than have it eventually run down into my lap during honing and adding additional water. I don't spritz the surface of the stones, I have an empty plastic honey bottle full of water when honing. It can get messy without the towel.

Chris L

That is why I started doing it way back when too Chris, but when I got a real stone holder I stopped and noticed the difference in feel on the honing stroke....So I started putting the cloth under the stone holder and it worked...

I do. Initially to stop it moving around, but i like the cushioning effect now. Either that, or i hold the smaller stones & that allows some give.

I also have a stone holder but always place a small towell under the holder, like others to absorb any water run off. Of course I am honing on the wooden kitchen table and the wife appreciates this. What she doesn't appreciate is when I leave my stones, rags, maas, holder etc on the table. Bad me.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...my-honing.html

From Feb 2006

Thanks Alan I figured it would be in there someplace....

I do the folded towel and on top of the towel some of that webbed stuff Lynn recommended on his DVD. Both to absorb runoff and to cushion and stabilize the stone.

I always put some kind of cloth under my hones when I'm honing maybe just because of habit or sth...
I never realized that it might have the cushioning effect...:hmmm:
Nice...:D

I hold my hones in hand, regardless of size.

On finish passes, I even balance the stone between my fingers so any lateral increases in pressure will rock it side to side.

Probably magical thinking, but it's my voodoo, and it works great for me.:p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joke1176

I hold my hones in hand, regardless of size.

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+1.

I think I get the best hone-hand feel from the lighter hones.

It does make a difference cushioning your stone but I find I get more feedback if I hold the stone in my off hand.

I picked that tip up from Alan's honing guide a few years ago and still use this method to this day :)

When I got my stones and holder a little while ago I started using them on the stove and just folded up a giant beach towel under the holde. Mainly to catch water from spritzing the stone and a soft place to set the razor down. Folded up it's probably close to an inch thick. Then I found that it was convenient to angle the stone (and holder) slightly to the right or left depending on how I was standing and posture. Just press the stone/holder firmly on the left or right side for a very slight angle and it stays there. Still plenty solid enough not to move or wiggle while honing.

Like Jimmy I use that mesh shelf liner stuff, it will keep the stone stable and does allow just a little give and some good feedback.

I'll give this a go. I normally hand-hold hones (!), but I put DMTs in a holder. A bit of flex can only be good when lapping too.

FWIW, I'm in the hone in hand corner. And to keep the water handy and the mess manageable, I stand at the kitchen sink while honing. One of these days I'll try honing while sitting, but so far I can't figure out how to get my knees under the sink.

:shrug:

I use a double folded bath sheet. I got the idea from AFDavis's post on honing. It also keeps my table from getting wet. :)

Neat Glen! I've been using a paper towel underneath my Shapton
stone holder, but I'll have to give a real towel a try and report
back.

- Scott

Wal-Mart tool department sells packs of small white terrycloth shop towels and they work great under my hones. Rather than ruin expensive bath towels, I discard the ones that get stained from my blue belgian stone or launder them as the need arises. When the towel becomes moist under the stone, neither the towel nor the stone slide around on my table while honing. Even when folded in half they are large enough to lay two or three razors next to my hone with room left over. Works for me..... JERRY:D