Thread: How to sharpen a curved edge?

Originally Posted by bill3152

Heel first and rolling swooping ending if necessary off the spine at the end of the stroke. Or toe first. There are many other ways but this works for me.

Ja. Which means that it's not going to be as precise as a straight edge. Figured there couldn't be any other approach but wanted to verify.

Originally Posted by Headcrowny

Ja. Which means that it's not going to be as precise as a straight edge. Figured there couldn't be any other approach but wanted to verify.

Not quite true... Most every razor is not really straight, in fact many people hone them toward a smile because it is a comfortable shave (Look at the old Barber's Manuals)

If you lift the spine then yes you would lose that precise edge and create a wavy edge that you can actually feel when honing.. Many will reference a Rocking X or Rolling X but understand that the spine still stays on the hone at the same time as the edge...

The razor in the logo is a "Smiling blade" the terms are there in the Library to see...

Perfectly flat edges imo have to be honed that way. I dont think I ever saw a new blade perfectly flat. And I would say the spine would stay on the hone if possible. But some of these blades have been honed that way so you gotta kind of follow the leader. On the spine always if possible. And many times you have to lift the toe to get to the heel. So every one is different, can't comment on any specific one.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Perfectly flat edges imo have to be honed that way. I dont think I ever saw a new blade perfectly flat. And I would say the spine would stay on the hone if possible. But some of these blades have been honed that way so you gotta kind of follow the leader. On the spine always if possible. And many times you have to lift the toe to get to the heel. So every one is different, can't comment on any specific one.

Lifting the toe while honing the heel is a Rolling or Rocking stroke pick the word you choose

BUT

The spine at the heel should still be on the hone, basically the spine is touching when the edge is touching on that spot on the razor...

Does that make sense how I am saying it I am pretty sure it is what you are doing anyway otherwise your edge would pretty wavy

We are on the same page. Spine on. You know this stuff much better than I do I know.

Figured we were saying the same thing, and if we were across the table from each other and could use our hands to talk also there would have been no confusion hehehe

If your stone is wide enough could you hone it using a straight stroke rather than swooping or rocking? Or is this even possible?

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If your stone is wide enough could you hone it using a straight stroke rather than swooping or rocking? Or is this even possible?

Sounds geometrically impossible to me.

My faviort video on how to hone a smiling straight razor. Is the one Charlie Lewis put out on YouTube. Just search honing a smiling razor and it comes up

The basic premise is to assume the spine height to blade width ratio is basically constant along the blade. Then, what I do is imagine a "honing window" - just that part of the edge/spine and its immediate surrounds that is touching the hone. Concentrate on keeping the edge and spine in contact with the hone within that window as you move the edge from heel to toe, and you will generally end up with what people call a "rolling" stroke.

James.