Thread: time on the hones

This is one of those cold winter day questions that pop into your head from time to time and meant more for the mentors on the site. No purpose really just one of those things you wonder about when you have too much time on your hands so here goes. On average with a razor that is really dulled with no chips or defects how long does it take for you to go from a good bevel set to what ever your standard of finishing to shave ready is. Just time on the hones. I know this is a question that has may variables and will be different from razor to razor hone to hone. On average how long does it take you?

It is actually a question that has been answered many times

The Variable is in these words "A Good Bevel Set"

The the bevel is about 90% of the "Work" after that it is pretty fun, you have pay attention again at the finishing point but really even that is fun..

My standard answer has been the same for quite a few years "Once the bevel is fully set it takes about 15 minutes" the difference can be in hours to get to that bevel set..

Certain finishers take slightly more time, for instance a good J-nat finish might add some minutes to the equation...



That is my story and I am sticking to it

So just to get closer to fewer variables, let's say it is a German blade, it was shaving but not well, so it did have a bevel of sort, and it is not restoration work. We will also say it is a full hollow. I am very slow and not a pro, but have done enough razors that I typically nail it down the first time around. Which of course is the largest variable, the hand putting the razor to the hone. I am going to guess 20 minutes maybe 30. It is not a really easy question for answer. Perhaps what I should do, is actually pay attention the next time I am honing a razor. I am just guessing, I do not watch the clock at all.


Glen was quicker!

However long it takes without tape, you can double that if you use tape. Unless, you can tape one time without a bubble which I can't seem to do, sniff.

I'm no mentor, but most of my progressions take me 20 ish minutes after bevel set. When I feel like having some fun and go for a full Mikawa progression on a jnat, ( Yae-koma then Tomo) usually 45-50 minutes.

What David and Glen said are about right for me, 15-20 minutes after bevel set unless I'm doing a Mikawa nagura progression which extends that to maybe 30 minutes. After the bevel is set, I like to relax and slow down a bit and enjoy the finish honing.

Cheers, Steve

Seems to be about the same across the board. I'm around 20 min. on Norton 4-8k Naniwa 12k. Just one of those things you wonder about. Could have looked it up in the archives I guess but I thought I'd get a current consensus. Winter weather boredom. Steve you are the first on this forum I've seen close by, I'm in Maryville, I think all the rest of the Tennessee guys are middle and west. If you do a little trading look me up.

I'm in middle TN. One of these days I'm going to pack up some stones and go see Ol Steve.

Maybe we need to see about an East/Middle Tennessee meet up.

I've thought about maybe a get together at Fall Creek Falls. Kind of in the middle.

Townsend would be good especially if you want a helping of Smokies to add on to it, but further from out central Tenessee folk.

Cheers, Steve