Thread: cloth contamination drying when honing

I usually call the dog over and wipe it on her coat. The oil really helps.

Kidding of course. I use a paper towel.

Before looking through the loupe I use paper towels and then palm strop a couple strokes to make sure all water is off and edge is clean.

Microfibers work better after several washing and drying cycles, most of the lint comes off. I know they say not to put in a dryer, but they only shrink a bit, I have some I have had for years, been washed and dried hundreds of times, those seem to work best.

I use a micro fiber to get the water off the blade and if I am going to look at the blade with magnification a quick wipe with a paper towel, I like the blue shop towels, cheap by the case from Sam’s or Costco.

A sharpie run lightly along the edge, will also tell you a lot about issues and ink both sides of the bevel at the same time.