Quote Originally Posted by toolarts View Post

I have found that it is fairly easy to hone a flat, straight razor, because so much of the edge is in contact with the stone that a little excessive pressure doesn't cause the thin edge to break away.

Once the razor is smiling, you have less of the edge in contact with the stone, so a light touch is critical, otherwise you will chip or damage that nice thin point you are trying to create where the two bevels meet.
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Could you expand on these ideas toolarts as I am not sure my experience is the same, or I am just not understanding what you are saying.