Thread: Long Hones?

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to find out if any of you have really long hones? I've at some point seen a very long coticule on the forum, but I don't really think I've seen any others through the years. I know the standard lengths were devised as such due to the economics involved (unless there are other benefits to shorter hones??), but what are your thoughts on long hones then? I'm talking like 15-18 inches..
I'm thinking longer strokes equals less return trips which would make honing more leisurely. Thoughts?

- Mike

My longest hone is about 11" long, Mike, so it doesn't really qualify. The only thing I would hesitate about with a much longer hone is keeping the honing stroke equal throughout the lenth of the stoke.

Regards,
Neil

I've had stones/hones up to 12 inches long. I didn't figure after about 8 inches or so, or even maybe a little less with a full width hone that it really was any advantage.

I'd call full width anything that covers the entire razor edge on the surface with classic stroke leading the inside edge of the razor. That's probably around 2.25".

With much narrower hones, another couple of inches might be nice, but sometimes it's a little harder to keep track of flatness on the bigger hones. Flatness is not a big deal if one razor only ever gets used on one hone, and it doesn't see lots of wear between that razor's trips to it, but when you start mixing razors around all over the place on different stones, it's nice for them to all be flat so that you *only* do the honing that needs to be done to remove the wear at the edge of the bevel.

I have used a 14" CF before, as Neil said above the consistency of the stroke might be questionable on such length. May be with practice such issue will self correct. For me 10" is probably the, max that I would go for.

The stone on bottom of pic is 13 inches long,i would say everytime i use it i do a 10 inch stroke, feels more comfortable that way.

I would think a perfect size would be 8 X 3 IMHO.

Funny you ask. Another member and I have been corresponding via PM as to the 5x2 1/2 being the 'optimum' size for a coticule. I've noticed that barbers from the old days of frequent straight razor shaving had that size of coticule more often than not.

Barber hones, such as the Swaty and variants, were usually 4x2. I'm wondering if the stroke the 5" hone forces the honer to take isn't a more efficient stroke for honing straight razors ? That said, the longer the hone the faster because the steel is in contact with abrasive through a longer stroke ..... if the honer utilizes the length of the hone.

My longest is an 11 3/4" x 2 1/2" vintage natural coticule. With eschers they made a 10x2" IIRC, but I've yet to score one of those.

I do have few long hones. Longest is 45cm long. Do not use them much as they are too cumbersome to work with an pain in the backside to lap. In my opinion up to 10" is usefull however it also depends if you hone in hand or on the table. To hold 10"x3"x1" is pretty tiring.

I think determining hone length is just an optimisation problem. The trick is to determine the objective function: the rule that defines your objective - profit, ergonomics, surface area, whatever, in terms of the variables; and any constraints on those variables. Then you just optimise (find the max or min) with respect to the variables, subject to the constraints.

I'd wager that the standard sizes we see in the vintage hones like, say, the Eschers were determined through considerations of maximising profit subject to ergonomic considerations (ie how many stones can we get out of this chunk of rock and not have people complain that they are too small?)

James.

At one time I had a 14" Washita. It was really too much stone. Over the years I've found that 6"x2" seems to be perfect for me.

Hello Mike,

my guess for stone size is 8" x 2" 1/2, I think this size play good for me,you have to consider the weight and relative shipping cost.