Thread: The way to better honing is using one hand

As a straight razor shaver and honer for some 5 years now, I wanted any beginner to know that the single thing most vital thing to consistent honing results is the use of one hand when honing, the development of muscle memory in your honing stroke, is no different to using left hand to shave the left side etc. A lot of honers use their 'other' hand to place extra pressure on a toe of a blade that's not equal. Sure it's OK, but if your one handed technique is right, you should not really have un-sharpened areas of your blade. Of course, for restores, or chips etc it's different. But it's well worth using the one hand to be able to rely on your stroke, just like riding a bike. I was first told of this by Onimaru55 a few years back, but it took a while to get it right. It's a step to consistency in your honing results. Cheers Bob

I use my second hand to balance the razor and keep it flat on narrow hones, never to put pressure on the blade. Moreover: if you have a razor that needs bevel setting it is usually the heel that is wider the the toe.

Originally Posted by Kees

I use my second hand to balance the razor and keep it flat on narrow hones, never to put pressure on the blade. Moreover: if you have a razor that needs bevel setting it is usually the heel that is wider the the toe.

Gents, use whatever technique suits you. As a student of honing, like all of us, we observe senior, qualified members and guests in various videos etc, who seem to advocate and use a single hand during honing. I think it helped me advance. For others who differ, fine.