Thread: Thoughts on "Less is more." in honing

Originally Posted by JimR

This is a great post, Jimmy, thanks.

I myself have been looking at the scratch patterns, and have been trying to eliminate them as best I could, and I think I have a defensible reason why: it is a clear, visible and objective way to measure honing for a newbie honer like myself.

I understand that it isn't necessary and that as honers improve then the TNT, TPT and, finally, the shave test give a better indication of shave readiness. But until I get to the point where my judgment from the TPT starts to reach point where I am confident in moving to the shave test, scratch pattern elimination is giving me some pretty darned good edges.

I fully expect that as I get better and more experienced (to flirt with redundancy), then scratch patterns will become less important to my honing--I look forward to that day. However, learning to hone is a process and in many ways it can't be taught by anything but experience. At the moment, I'm not confident enough in my TPT, or even my understanding of the shave test, to rule out scratch pattern elimination.

It'll come, I'm sure.

I have to respectfully disagree with you. scratch pattern on the bevel has nothing to do with sharpness of the edge.
Example norton 8 k will take out every single scratch and edge will not give to you satisfying shave.( this doesn't mean you cannot get great shave off , i am sure you can . i brought this example because i know how norton 8k acts.)

IMO scratch pattern, on almost any cutting edge, or any type, for any purpose is strictly aesthetic.

I have a razor on it's way to Lynn as well now so that I can check it out when he is done with it.

I have four here in my possession that I have honed different ways. The sharpest one is the one I used the lightest touch on. They are all the same steel and grind.

They all pop hair, short face stubble is a different story.

Fwiw, the one that I spent the most time on, and polished the best, shaves the worst.