Thread: QUESTION: Size wise, what is the perfect shape and size hone?

In rare occurrence I have found a narrow hone to fit the need better than the wider hones, but it is rare. Longer hones relates to less strokes but I am not sure the price point is justified once you go over 8 inches. The best size hones are the one's that fit your budget best. If money is no object go with what you are comfortable with. Hones larger than other in width and/or length may require more time on a lap than it's smaller cousins. Learn to work with what you have or can afford. It's not the tool that sets the quality in hand work such as honing, it the person using the tool. The rest is a matter of time at task.

I personally have found my preference to be in the width of the stone rather than length. That magic number for me is ~2"-2.5". Two reasons:

1. It's a good size to use on table or in the palm of your hand (at least the 2"-er is)
2. Since most blades I have are ~3" (give or take), then 2" would ensure that at least 2/3 of the blade is in constant contact with the stone, at least initially, at the beginning of each stroke...once the stroke is initiated, it doesn't matter...muscle memory keeps the blade at correct contact with stone at the part of the X-stroke which covers <2/3 of the blade.

Maybe these will be less of an issue as I become more experienced in honing (hopefully in the next 100 years )

I prefer an 8x3" That allows me to hone the entire blade w/o using any stroke other than a straight back or straight forward, but I can use other patterns if I wish.