Thread: Whipped Dog "Quarter Nortons"

Originally Posted by Bram

well, when you have a smaller hone to work with simple logic dictates that X-strokes make sense since that way you hone the entire blade with each stroke instead of just part of it. this change of technique is not based on authority, I'm not an authority but if you get a small hone I'm willing to state this is the way to go.

if you realy want an authorety stating the benefits of the x stroke, see: http://www.coticule.be/strokes.html

I'll leave it up to Glen to comment directly on your reply to his question.

But I do wanna say this though:
A wider stone doesn't stop you from doing x-strokes.
In fact, most of us do that most of the time anyway.
Naturally the degree depends on the blade profile and a number of other factors.

The point I think you are missing, is that the wider stone provides support that the more narrow does not.
On a 3" stone I might just use a fourth of the width for actual steel removal.
But the rest of the width provides a base to rest the razor while performing my x-stroke of varying grade.
That, to a rookie honer, is essential in my book.
And the wider stone will provide a shaveable edge more often than what they will see on those cut up toy stones from Larry.

Neglecting that is not being economical, it is witholding vital information from our new members trying to get a good edge to shave with.

Originally Posted by Birnando

I'll leave it up to Glen to comment directly on your reply to his question.

But I do wanna say this though:
A wider stone doesn't stop you from doing x-strokes.
In fact, most of us do that most of the time anyway.
Naturally the degree depends on the blade profile and a number of other factors.

The point I think you are missing, is that the wider stone provides support that the more narrow does not.
On a 3" stone I might just use a fourth of the width for actual steel removal.
But the rest of the width provides a base to rest the razor while performing my x-stroke of varying grade.
That, to a rookie honer, is essential in my book.
And the wider stone will provide a shaveable edge more often than what they will see on those cut up toy stones from Larry.

Neglecting that is not being economical, it is witholding vital information from our new members trying to get a good edge to shave with.

To add a little on this. If you have shaky hands like me that extra real estate means a lot. It is far easier to use a larger hone since a good bit of the razors weight is resting on the hone always. I can still use narrow hones, but I get even shakier cause then I am nervous as well about the width. Honing is hard enough to learn so get a full sized stone. Buying a quarter Norton and a full size Norton after is more expensive still. We have all at some point made the mistake of buying the "cheap" tool then going back to buy the "right" tool. Just a rookie's two cents so grab the salt shaker.