Thread: One hand or two hands pros cons???

I use two hands out of necessity. It makes sure the blade is flat, the stroke is even, and I'm using the proper X-stroke angle to get the desired sharpness.

I'm kind of clumsy and the extra hand helps make up for that.

I hone with one hand, I have no choice in the matter.

I actually hone both ways. If you're honing hand-held, you have no choice, the stone is in your other hand.

On a bench, I frequently use a finger or two on my off (left) hand as a kind of 'outrigger', not so much to apply pressure, but to sense if pressure is not even and occasionally direct pressure being applied by the right hand. Sounds more complicated than it is, but sometimes a resting finger (usually) 3" away from the fingers that are applying pressure can sense things that can't be easily felt at the tang.

Cheers, Steve

If you're using a truly good stone, it won't matter if you use one hand or two, and it won't matter if you use a little too much pressure. What's more than a little? Anything that flexes a razor and leaves you with something other than a uniform bevel under a microscope (flexing during the "fast" work will leave a bevel that looks like it's been taped even though it hasn't).

Excluding the people who spend their time trying to break anvils with rubber hammers, I'd imagine that most of the shortcomings in honing are: doing too much of it and not knowing when to stop (which can still yield a good edge, but can wear out a razor pronto) and doing too little of it and not completing the job. The rest of the stuff isn't as important as it's often made out to be. Two hands or one hand should never make a difference (to someone who is willing to practice), especially in the age of abrasive powders.

The one place that I'd prefer one hand, but it may not even be required there, is with barber hones where you generally don't want to use them all the way to the razor edge because most of the vintage types are quite coarse until you get into the swaty, norton, #00 type stuff.

Originally Posted by DaveW

If you're using a truly good stone, it won't matter if you use one hand or two, and it won't matter if you use a little too much pressure. What's more than a little? Anything that flexes a razor and leaves you with something other than a uniform bevel under a microscope (flexing during the "fast" work will leave a bevel that looks like it's been taped even though it hasn't).

Excluding the people who spend their time trying to break anvils with rubber hammers, I'd imagine that most of the shortcomings in honing are: doing too much of it and not knowing when to stop (which can still yield a good edge, but can wear out a razor pronto) and doing too little of it and not completing the job. The rest of the stuff isn't as important as it's often made out to be. Two hands or one hand should never make a difference (to someone who is willing to practice), especially in the age of abrasive powders.

The one place that I'd prefer one hand, but it may not even be required there, is with barber hones where you generally don't want to use them all the way to the razor edge because most of the vintage types are quite coarse until you get into the swaty, norton, #00 type stuff.

Sorry I missed your 3 posts here, they are very insightful! Since I posted this OP I have been practicing with each method, I have not found a difference rather I am using 1 or 2 hands but way more important is the work getting done. I am using my loupe more and more making sure the scratches or stria are reaching all the way to the edge. These questions I ask arise because I really do like to practice which is why I keep running into little hiccups attempting to try new things. Also I am a locksmith just shy of 20 years on the job. I didn't become a professional at it because I learned one way it's because I have learned several ways to do my job, so I have the same affinity for straight razor honing and such. I am 34 and I hope to keep the honing razors profession going for years to come to pass on to others along the way. Thank you

A locksmith -- I'd guess you occasionally have to pick a lock in your business? That certainly requires some sensitivity and fine motor control...