Thread: Singing Hone?

What causes a razor is scream when being dragged across the hone?

Common sense tells me that the edge of the razor is skipping like a rock across the hone surface very quickly, creating these high pitched squeals. Do I need to apply pressure? Change how I hold it? Is squealing ok?

What kind of razor? What kind of hone?

I would assume that screaming is not okay.

Originally Posted by Utopian

What kind of razor? What kind of hone?

I would assume that screaming is not okay.

I only scream after honing a razor for an hour and finding it is still dull. I've yet to have the razor scream. What occurs to me is a hone that is not flat and/or is of a coarse grit not appropriate for a razor.

Chinese 12k, freshly lapped, and a Boker arbolito 11/16 razor. my japanese blade sang as well from time to time.

Something unsettling about that picture.

I've never had a blade do that. A variety of subtle noises yes but never scream.

Hmm.. could it be an untrue blade? If it doesn't sit perfectly flat either due to the stone or blade, then the friction would set the floating portion of the blade into oscillation, like a bow on strings.
It's a subtle scream. Maybe I can record it tomorrow. Think fork across a dinner plate, 100 yards away.

The only other thing that comes to mind is the amount of pressure you might be using.

I try to use none, but my hand isn't that steady yet. Especially when stroking away from me, I use one finger on the toe to balance the blade flat on the hone.

Blades tend to make a lot of noise if the edge is on the hone but the spine isn't. That's my only thought though.

Sounds lie you're doing it right. If the stone is flat and you're using plenty of water I can't imagine what it is.