Thread: Only Half Sharp

Originally Posted by Raol

You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out;
You put your left foot in,
And you shake it all about.

You are a card !!

Thanks for all of the answers and questions. The razors are older but very lightly used. Narrow bevels, no frowns, little spine wear. I did the marker test and the bevel goes to the edge. I found the Norton lapping stone left deep scratched in the stone and did not leave it flat. I just lapped all stones on a progression of W/D sand paper on a granite inspection slab so they are as flat as I can make them. I don't know what I would take a picture of. Under 35X there is no difference in the edge but I can feel it with my thumb and the ability to cut hair is clear. Even so, I believe my technique is more of a limiting factor than the blades. I will try adjusting my stroke to get more action on the toe end. Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by john3126

I did the marker test and the bevel goes to the edge.

The marker test is not to see if the bevel goes to the edge. After both side of the bevel have been marked with ink from the marker, you do 4 to 5 strokes on your stone, then you can see if there any marker left anywhere.
From there you can re apply some ink adjust your stroke until all the ink is removed from the bevel.

Originally Posted by Martin103

The marker test is not to see if the bevel goes to the edge. After both side of the bevel have been marked with ink from the marker, you do 4 to 5 strokes on your stone, then you can see if there any marker left anywhere.
From there you can re apply some ink adjust your stroke until all the ink is removed from the bevel.

I think we are saying the same thing. Even removal of the marker tells me the entire edge is contacting the stone.

Originally Posted by ace

Just raise the elbow of the arm you are honing with.

All jokes aside, this is good advice. Thanks, ace!

Originally Posted by JeffR

All jokes aside, this is good advice. Thanks, ace!

And the reason is,, you naturally put more pressure on the heel when your elbow drops down, without you noticing it.

Unless you hone standing up, then lifting the elbow puts pressure on the toe of the razor & the trapezius of the honer.

Great information gents.
I'm as new to honing as I can be, so answers to clear questions really help...I'm reading and doing more these days than I am posting; listening more than talking.
That means I'm trying to learn more than I want to 'brag'.
Strange times these.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Unless you hone standing up, then lifting the elbow puts pressure on the toe of the razor & the trapezius of the honer.

A very helpful mentor showed me that what I thought was a natural honing position, with my right elbow pointed at the ground, resulted in weight inadvertently being placed on the heel. When I was shown how to lift the elbow to parallel with the hone and cradle the scales in the last three fingers of my right hand, I found that the blade naturally would lie flat on the hone without the need for any further manipulation. It seemed unnatural at first and was uncomfortable for the first few strokes, but the results showed the value of it, and it became a habit, a good one.

Originally Posted by ace

A very helpful mentor showed me that what I thought was a natural honing position, with my right elbow pointed at the ground, resulted in weight inadvertently being placed on the heel. When I was shown how to lift the elbow to parallel with the hone and cradle the scales in the last three fingers of my right hand, I found that the blade naturally would lie flat on the hone without the need for any further manipulation. It seemed unnatural at first and was uncomfortable for the first few strokes, but the results showed the value of it, and it became a habit, a good one.

Like I said, standing to hone introduces a whole new set of ergonomics. Anything other than having the elbow hanging comfortably will result in RSI if a lot of hours are involved.
More important is having the stone at the right height. When standing that is about waist high which results in the wrist being near parallel to the stone.
When sitting you can't get that relationship with your elbow down unless the stone is on your lap or your table very low so I see how lifting the elbow will compensate.