Thread: Any difference when honing with soft water vs hard water?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Huge Difference

I find that the well water I have with all the dissolved minerals and suspended manganese adds greatly to the slickness of the feel on the hones ...
I can get a much keener and smoother edge using my well water than when using Distilled...

I am not sure what dissolved minerals would do on a hone, but I have seen manganese build up in softener systems. It is a black, slick substance that looks more like bacteria or grease.

Are there any particular stones that you notice the manganese giving a superior edge?

I have one major problem with my harder than granite water, mineral build up after honing. I have to be sure to rub/quick lap than rinse the hones before a honing, or else the edges may look good, but just don't perform that great and can feel dull.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Huge Difference

I find that the well water I have with all the dissolved minerals and suspended manganese adds greatly to the slickness of the feel on the hones ...
I can get a much keener and smoother edge using my well water than when using Distilled...

Gentlemen:

It has come to my attention that there were a few people on one of the FB shaving groups that were discussing this post with the idea that this could actually be a serious consideration... Some of them even try and pass themselves off as experienced Honers

I am sure all of you on here realized this was a joke, the Popcorn emoji indicating I was waiting for the fun to begin, might have been a good clue ..

To be perfectly clear, No unless you have major water issues well water cannot help or hinder honing, or more simply put for those like like to get technical

"If you can drink it and live, you can hone with it and shave"

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Gentlemen:

It has come to my attention that there were a few people on one of the FB shaving groups that were discussing this post with the idea that this could actually be a serious consideration... Some of them even try and pass themselves off as experienced Honers

I am sure all of you on here realized this was a joke, the Popcorn emoji indicating I was waiting for the fun to begin, might have been a good clue ..

To be perfectly clear, No unless you have major water issues well water cannot help or hinder honing, or more simply put for those like like to get technical

"If you can drink it and live, you can hone with it and shave"

And it was a really funny thread to read.

Glen, you need to try soaking your stones in a good German Heffeweizen beer when honing german blades, and try a hoppy English Ale for Sheffield blades. The razors just seem to really like this better than water. You wouldn't believe the edge you get with this method. Only thing is, I can never seem to get the blades to stay up after when trying to photograph the blades. They keep falling over.

When I lived in Ohio and was on a well, I didn't like the greasy feeling of the water in the house for honing. Didn't drink it either. I used Distilled water to hone as that was my personal preference. I think anyone should be able to use whatever water they want or have confidence in using without some wannabe liar and hater looking for self recognition to make fun of something so simple. Even someone bragging of having 7 identities on SRP. Here in St. Louis, they have great tap water and it works just fine for honing. Go figure.

Have fun.

Well, I have honed with Lagavulin, but it never touches the hones.