Thread: Finishing strokes: when, with what and how many?

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I think the "less than weight of razor" pressure thing may refer to the *additional* downward pressure on the edge ie lay the razor on the hone ("weight of razor" pressure) and then "zero" the scales. Anything after that is referred to as the "downward pressure".

In fact, the weight of the entire razor will not end up hitting the hone through the edge anyway, as weight load is spread over the spine and the fingers holding the scales. So technically "less than the weight of the razor" in terms of pressure on the edge is kind of a given anyway.

But that is just my take - I could be wrong and certainly do not want to put words in someone else's mouth, so please correct me if I have misinterpreted.

James.

I agree with that explanation the weight is divided between the spine and the bevel/edge in some proportion. I just hope people do not interpret "less than the weight of the razor" as trying to alleviate the edge pressure on the stone to compensate for weight and such.

That less then the "Weight of the Blade" term it is very misleading, if you take out an actual digital scale, I think you might find the same thing I did,, There is no such stroke, if you try and get that light the edge is no longer evenly in contact with the stone....
Once the edge loses even contact with the hone the stroke becomes ineffective...

Please don't take my word for it, take out a scale and test it

This back stroke thing on the hone? I haven't been doing it. What you do Is after the front forward circles you do a few backwards circles??or do you do a backward across the hone stroke???

Originally Posted by Johnus

This back stroke thing on the hone? I haven't been doing it. What you do Is after the front forward circles you do a few backwards circles??or do you do a backward across the hone stroke???

IMO, I dont find much difference between standard xstrokes and stropping strokes regarding evening up the edge. One very handy use of the stropping xstroke is that on a coticule - especially narrow ones - it does a fantastic job of keeping the slurry on the hone, where the standard xstroke scoops up and flicks off my slurry.

I only do standard xstrokes on water when it doesn't matter as much.

With the circles question - if I'm understanding you correctly - is you would do circles one side, then the other and then either standard xstrokes or stropping xstrokes to even up the edge with weight of the blade pressure ie. enough to keep the spine and edge on the hone and thats it. I do this at every stage to make sure, and it works well.

regards Alex

Here are a few answers to my opening thread.

My honing strokes are done on a table using some pressure, sometimes a littler greater than the weight of the blade. A good way to visualize a stroke with less than the weight of the razor is to tilt the balsa or 12k stone surface toward the ground and strop by barely touching the surface. This angle for me is between 45-90 degrees. Incidently, the finishing strokes on manufactured DE's are done vertically for similar reasons. I rarely put the balsa on a table anymore for finishing strokes unless I think the edge needs a bit more pressure.

My finishing strokes are on CrO balsa, handheld, with the surface angled so as to relieve the weight of the blade from the equation. You can finish the edge very gently using this technique.

Yes, and you are right. Technically, the only finishing strokes that matter are the last ones.

Originally Posted by zib

He's talking about finishing on the hone, using "stropping strokes" or edge trailing, Spine leading...Correct...?

I don't think I've ever done that on the rocks before. Has anyone else, What kind of results do you get?

Like TBS and JImmyhad, I normally finish up on my Escher 90% of the time with x strokes, and it's edge leading, very light strokes.
If not the Escher, usually a Jnat, maybe a Coti.....

The use of stropping strokes at the end of each progression is a good habit because it removes any micro-burr that may be present after the last edge leading stroke and prepares the bevel nicely for the next grit. It is not essential to finish with stropping strokes but I just prefer doing it that way.

If you want to see some big arguments from years ago do a search for "burr".

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If you want to see some big arguments from years ago do a search for "burr".

That's OK, I will pass on big arguments over whether a burr is present after an edge leading stroke. I have created them intentionally and viewed them under the microscope. They can be present, albeit usually from too much pressure or bad technique. That's why I used the phrase may be present. And while the stropping motion may not be necessary, it is the stroke that will definitely remove any burr if present. On that point I am pretty sure we can all agree.

Burr or no burr - finishing with a few stropping laps certainly does no harm.

Originally Posted by Gammaray

Burr or no burr - finishing with a few stropping laps certainly does no harm.

No argument from me. Whatever works.