Thread: Blade Buddy?

X-Strokes

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How many people here only hone and strop one side of their razors? Anytime I have ever sharpened a blade of any sort it gets equal passes on the stone on both sides of the blade.

Originally Posted by backpacker93

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How many people here only hone and strop one side of their razors? Anytime I have ever sharpened a blade of any sort it gets equal passes on the stone on both sides of the blade.

Ummm...ya, that's kind of my meaning by x-strokes

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Ummm...ya, that's kind of my meaning by x-strokes

Gotcha, I've never heard that term before though.

Well here you go, from our very own SRP Library...

Technique
Razor flat, heel leading or X pattern, equal pressure on each side, each stroke the same angle and length as the opposing side, lessen pressure as you go. X-strokes will account for any deviation from flat in your hone or blade. Even if you keep your hones lapped completely flat the wear just from the current honing session will create areas or wear. The x-stroke gives the best chance of avoiding defects in the edge or bevel from these voids in the hone or any (even the slightest) warp of the blade. Light strokes will attack the bevel all the way to the edge better that pressured strokes, but adding some pressure will remove more metal (both of which have their time and place). Use quality strokes, go slow. The best part of honing is that it lets you slow the world down a little. Or, if you try and apply your fast world to honing, you'll screw it up.
The X pattern explained