Thread: Honing mysticism

This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but there are often times I feel an inflated sense of mysticism is used when talking about hones/honing. I am in no way a honing expert or professional, but I would call my edges competitive. I find this mysticism usually circles discussions about natural hones and how they are difficult to learn and a methodology, generally, is useless. I think if naturals were all so starkly different they would never survive as a viable product. Certainly there are nuanced differences, but as a whole certain categories operate the same. Perhaps I have been lucky with my natural stones and should purchase a lotto ticket tomorrow. The only natural I bought and had issues with was the Zulu due to lack of research and strokes. I feel this attitude intimidates newish honers, which it intimidated me for sure even a few months ago buying my first Jnat. I was able to get a great edge off that stone the first time I used it and no it wasn't the best possible edge, but it certainly was better than most. Gssixgun has a blog post about the Nth degree of honing, which I don't think everyone is always shooting for their first time on a stone. I think Gssixgun brings up great points and it is a good read for honing commitment. I think if your mechanics are good and you understand the basic principles of each honing media you will be successful on attempt one... Will it be that Nth degree? Heavens no, but it will still be a pretty awesome start. These natural stones are awesome and at times mysterious, but not so much you can't get your foot in the door pretty easily.

I don't think it's mystical , just interesting the differences, but I don't hone , so that's all I can say ,, I do love to read this section though I have found that I can get the best edges by just sending them to Glen , what I find mystical is a man who just starts and hasn't even shaved that wants to buy the naturals! But to each his own ,, How do you like your Jnats edge compared to the other stones you have tried ? Tc

Natural stones are a matter of experience. part of the reason that people make what sounds like mysticism is because they have experience with particular hones (and results improve with experience).

It also takes experience to know when a hone is a lost cause, or when what seems like a difficult hone has potential to become something special.

But there's nothing mystical about it, it's the subtlety of experience that's accessible with anyone who has the wallet and time to gain it.

The rewarding part of natural hones is that you can get to a point with some where buying a gok-20 is a waste of money (I just personally proved that myself). But it's unlikely that an initial user of natural hones will agree with that because the results from the gok are accessible to anyone who can do an x stroke. Some natural stones are pretty easy (like a y/g escher) and some things, like vintage japanese hones or jasper have a lot more dimension but take some time to figure out.

There was a time that I didn't think natural hones could deliver the kind of edge that something like a gok-20 delivers, but I no longer believe that now. I had to depart the X stroke and gain some experience, and also find razors that agree with the natural stones.

Funny you're saying that, I was about to talk about my hones.

The first one is a "BrimStone", natural hone straigth from Gehena, consecrated by the current Grand Master of the Sacred Order of the Practicians of Kabbalistic Magic. Great stone for any blade that must draw blood.

The second one was mined on the Golgotha, very fine lice stone, thrice consecrated by a Fransiscan monk on the eve of easter. Immediate healing factor, very nice for a razor blade, the cuts won't stay.

Third stone was taken directly from the stone where Excalibur was, according to legend, firmly set. Pros : very scary sharp blade, useful against faes and celtic myths related creatures. Cons : very hard to handle, the blade tends to stay firmly stuck to it.

The way I read this thread, Whatever works for an individual is a good hone. Starting with a simple well known hone gives the best chance of good information and answers to questions posted. The individual moves onward from there. Price points are important after that to an average user.

Mysticism? Getting into the almost mindless Zen of honing blades? Well.....
Ozone Rangers may apply!
~Richard
PS. I do enjoy honing!

Nothing mystical about it. Tons of guys are shaving off their edges and learning every time they deviate.
After all, we are simply sharpening a blade and polishing it to get a good, comfortable shave. JMO

Honing mysticism = Simple numbers

Here is what I have learned over the past 7 1/2 years on the forums

The more razors you hone the better you get at it

That being said here is what I have seen

at about 20 razors honed people tend to start thinking they have it all figured out
at about 50 they have learned that they don't
at about 100 they consider themselves experts
at around 500 they wish they could go back and delete all the stuff they posted in the past
at around 1000 or so they have learned that there is always more to learn and try and help others learn that too

Just some of the things I have learned about honing and I am still learning

I keep my hones in line with the planet Mars and at the equinoxes I switch ends. I prefer to wear a Snuggly when I hone and a tinfoil pointed cap. I do chant when I hone but the mantra is a secret. Some people are naturals (so to speak) at honing, I still need help from the fairies and trolls.

I think a lot of the mysticism around honing is due to the fact that its so hard to communicate the details necessary to learn it. How do I really tell you to see what I see and feel what I feel? You can try to describe it but its not easy. So much of the conversation sounds like Morpheus consulting the oracle. Throw on top of that a lot of opposing views and the whole topic really becomes elusive to anyone just learning. That being said, my advice is always to seek out the assistance and advice of one or two trusted individuals and take their advice exclusively. It filters out some of the noise. Unless you have the option to sit with someone and learn first hand, its really a skill that is self taught. The advice you get is extremely helpful but you will end up learning through a series of "ah-ha" moments.

One other observation I've seen (one that I've witnessed in the world of wine too) is the allure of being the expert. Some folks are drawn to it and can't wait to be the authority on the subject. I don't consider myself to be an expert and I don't care to hold the title. I just want to be able to hone my razors and get great shaves. So far, I've been able to do just that. So success is also defined by what you want out of it. If all you want is a good shave, a lot of the debate can be ignored.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I just want to be able to hone my razors and get great shaves. So far, I've been able to do just that. So success is also defined by what you want out of it. If all you want is a good shave, a lot of the debate can be ignored.

What he just said ^

That is the real point, Shaving vs Hobby much of the esoteric stuff deals with the Hobby not with Shaving they really are two different things..
That was the actual point behind that blog too