Thread: 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...
Nice...

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.