Quote Originally Posted by cwomg View Post
This has been a wonderful thread, not that I should have expected anything different, but I always anticipate a bit of when there is the word "tape" in the subject line. Instead, what we have is a discussion that is wonderfully helpful to someone such as myself who is still quite early in their pursuit of proper honing.

I had not previously considered the difference that the smoothness of the tape might make in my stroke. Actually, I'm still spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to make my "towards" stroke equal and opposite of my "away" stroke. My "away" stroke seems somewhat akin to trying to write my name with my non-dominant hand. If there are any secrets to making that a reality, I'm all ears.

I tend to use my off hand index finger as a guide on the tip of the spine over the toe, not applying downward pressure, but just slightly pushing blade in the intended direction. This has been helpful to me, but I'm also concerned about picking up bad habits.

Thanks all
It's a great journey, and there is nothing like having a shave with an edge you've perfected for yourself, that you learn after awhile just how you like the edge, exactly how many strokes after the stones to use on some CROX.

I'm going to link to a thread I posted awhile ago, a great little project, and something I still find to be incredibly useful, after the finishing stones, and if you even need a touch up.

https://straightrazorpalace.com/stro...ing-board.html

@cwong - what you're describing is, "honing gymnastics", each razor is unique, and requires a different touch and approach. I've had razors that I thought would take hours to bevel set and progress to finishing stones take an hour, and others that I thought would be easy, took me two days, frustration sets in, and get up and walk away.

Glen's videos, as well as others help an awful lot as well as I'm sure you know....

And then enjoy the journey into HAD.....nothing like an Escher edge on a razor IMO....