Thread: Edlis barber hone directions

I just got one of the NOS Edlis hones that pop up on eBay frequently. As I live near Pittsburgh and have an Edlis razor, I couldn't resist.

Anyway, the directions have a few interesting things in them, so I thought I'd type them up and post them here.

"Lay the razor blade flat on hone (with back of blade nearest the end) and move lengthwise of hone [sic]. At the end of this stroke, roll the blade on its back and reverse the motion. If the edge is very dull, 15 to 20 strokes may be needed; usually, however, 5 to 10 strokes will give the desired result.

In Honing, as in Stropping, always let the final strokes be short and light. This insures the nicest alignment of the minute teeth, which determines the shaving condition of the edge.

This Hone may be used Dry, or with Lather, Oil or Water. As the condition of the blade to be honed, the quality of the edge desired, and the manner of honing, are the governing factors, it is left to the user to determine which way of using the hone is best for his purpose. This Hone is not injured by use with any of the applications named. If it is desired to freshen the surface after long usage, a thorough washing with warm water and a sponge is recommended. To procure still greater abrasiveness, rub surface lightly with very fine emery paper.

To Hone Safety Razor Blades, a Blade Holder or 'Stropper' is required. With this, the same directions apply as to the straight Razor."

The things I found interesting are:

• The lack of reference to lapping or flattening.

• The admonition to use short, light strokes to finish. We talk about light strokes, but not really short strokes.

• The mention of "teeth," which we debate the existence of.

• The reference to making the hone "coarser" by lapping it with emery paper.

I also got a kick out of the description of the honing stroke, which has to be the most confusing I've ever read.

Josh

I don't find the instructions very confusing but that's probably because I know what's expected in the first place. I suppose saying place the blade on the top of the hone facing away from you and at the end nearest you might be a better start but a picture is worth a thousand words (except when your asked for an essay when handing in a number of pics instead doesn't go down well at all.)

Wouldn't the strokes have to be short due to the size of the hone?

The strokes would be short, but it sounds like you're supposed to shorten them even more at the end. I'm mainly thinking about this in light of our 8" long modern hones, though. Shortening the stroke would mean each stroke takes off less metal--maybe make it harder to overhone.

Josh

Makes it harder to screw up. Could be a reference to an x pattern as well. No diagram? I often stroke more vertically at the end for the finest edges, which is the same as saying a shorter stroke.

Great instructions though.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

The strokes would be short, but it sounds like you're supposed to shorten them even more at the end. I'm mainly thinking about this in light of our 8" long modern hones, though. Shortening the stroke would mean each stroke takes off less metal--maybe make it harder to overhone.

Josh

This is actually known. Holds true for stropping too. I am not sure, but I think it was one of the "old-timers" here who talked about it some time ago. I think it was Scott, but could be wrong...

Now I don't do this as much on stones as on Chromium and leather stropping.

Cheers
Ivo

edit: I meant that it's good to shorten the stroke, not sure what's the scientific explanation behind it - but I do not think it's to avoid overhoning