5 strokes, then turn over?

[Sanders83]

Hi,

I was wondering if this was a valid honing technique. Doing 5, maybe 10 strokes one way down the stone, turn it over and do the same the other way. Would save a lot of turning, especially if your razor has gold wash on the spine.

Any thoughts?

G

[souschefdude]

If you are worried about the spine you could always tape.
5 or 10 per side is not excessive IMHO. we are talking microns of wear here.

[Sanders83]

Thanks for reply. Been scared off from taping. Told it affects the angle of the edge. I could always to 2 or 3 strokes. Just a pain in the booty having to lift off and turn each time.

[souschefdude]

Taping is not affecting it that much.
The way I think about it is that there are many blades with the same thickness spine which have different width blades, and vice versa. There is no standard which says the spine must be this thick if the width is that.
I will do 20 strokes per side sometimes.

[souschefdude]

Tape can be a PITA if you dont standardize how many layers you use, and you forget the next time you go to touchup. I gotta remember to start that honing diary...

[onimaru55]

Toward finishing stages you want to keep things even so one stroke per side is the way. Before that point multiple strokes are ok.
Gold wash & flipping is not an issue as you lift the razor off the stone as well. Watch Lynn.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...ideo-lynn.html

[souschefdude]

While I agree with Oz, and I would not challenge his wisdom gained through time,
I think of a perfectly centered edge this way: my kamisori is honed on one side only (at an angle), and it shaves just fine. That being said I do try to maintain an even amount of honing on both sides. Look, even if you get the number of strokes the same, the amount of pressure is going to vary according to your technique, handedness, etc, thus also varying the amount of microns removed from either side. All this to say dont over think the technical aspects. It is more of an art than anything. Relax, pay attention to what the stone and blade are telling you. Use your eyes your ears your touch to help you along, use your brain less.
Hope that wasnt considered contradictory, it isnt meant to be.

[gssixgun]

Thinking the 20 circles routine and the Japanese honing style both use multiple strokes per side then a flip to the other side for bevel setting,,
Thinking Kamisori honing would not be a great example because they have a different design altogether (traditionally)

I also am a little more devil may care at the lower end to get an even bevel established, then I tend to go more one up one back as I go higher in grit...

Not sure that is would be "wrong" to continue multiple on one said then flip, but it would sure feel "odd" to me

[10Pups]

Nothing will save the gold wash more than tape if your talking spine and blade ( not tang) then you don't have to lift. I hone like I strop only different directions. The razor never leaves the stone. Now if you don't tape I would not suggest that way at all. I would also suggest if your touch is not a light as Lynn's you may be better off with .007 worth of protection from scratches. JMO :<0)

[onimaru55]

While I agree with Oz, and I would not challenge his wisdom gained through time,
I think of a perfectly centered edge this way: my kamisori is honed on one side only (at an angle), and it shaves just fine. That being said I do try to maintain an even amount of honing on both sides. Look, even if you get the number of strokes the same, the amount of pressure is going to vary according to your technique, handedness, etc, thus also varying the amount of microns removed from either side. All this to say dont over think the technical aspects. It is more of an art than anything. Relax, pay attention to what the stone and blade are telling you. Use your eyes your ears your touch to help you along, use your brain less.
Hope that wasnt considered contradictory, it isnt meant to be.

I really thought the way the OP was worded it would be a recipe for disaster. i.e. one stroke, lift off the stone & repeat for 5-10 x in the same direction.
I don't think an unsound technique should be developed because the conventional way is difficult at first.
I suppose I shouldn't talk. I flip the 'wrong' way when honing, even on the last stone.