Thread: Another honing question

I do not put a lot of value in watching the water, because it just means the bevel is flat on the stone. But it does not tell you if the whole bevel is flat, or if the bevels are meeting fully.

Yes, it can be an indicator, as can the feel or sound, but why not look at it and remove all doubt. Keep it simple, as said do the small things first and be systematic in your approach. Systematic equals repeatable results.

Look at the bevels from the side, for even stria pattern, (and no deep stria reaching the edge) across the whole bevel from heel to toe and especially at the edge, are you honing to the edge. Then look straight down on the edge with light and magnification. If you see any shinny reflection, the bevels are not meeting fully. This take just seconds to do.

More importantly, if the razor did not shave well, there is more going on. Find out what that is. Is it a honing or stropping issue?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

What Glen is saying is eliminate the simple stuff first,,, before assuming it is more complicated

Oh! You must be referring to OCCAM'S RAZOR

Watch that spelling Vic. You know it makes a big difference to me. NOT.

MikeT., i think your on the right track. I can see after a bit of oil or grease being on the bevel or edge it would push the water away and not allow it to go over the edge. This is what ive been seeing and it was taking a lot of laps 20 to 30 or more, or dropping down in stones before it would start undercutting again. But at that point im building up slurry, ans as Vic said, slurry makes it easier to undercut the water/slurry mix. Straight water is harder to undercut.

Thanks Glen. It goes back to the KISS. Keep is simple stupid! Start with the basics. Clean the damn thing off!

Euclid, i will bring my loupe and usb microscope back into my honing. I used to get very critical on what i seen so i cut back. But now ive learned more so maybe i should go back the look some more. The basics like the shinny spots or larger scratches left behind from a couple stones back are the basics. At this point in my honing learning im past this, but looking at the bevel to be sure about the stria being completely even/uniform, is what ive been lacking.

I feel its these little things that a honer needs to refine and learn how to deal with. This is what makes for a more perfect, always right edges. Its easy to over look some things and the more a person hones, and fails, or wants to get better and even more perfect edges, the more of these little things pop up. Im going to try and get some time this evening for the stones. I will test this idea of oil and grease on the edge after the strop. That would be the simplest fix.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

...snip...

Lately I've noticed how much I appreciate your clear and scientific explanations, much appreciated!
Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Oh! You must be referring to OCCAM'S RAZOR

That was awesome! Lol
I usually don't get this kind of humor... raised in a British colony yet never understood what some call English humor... also Dad jokes...
I got it this time!
I'm all grown up now... sweet!

Originally Posted by Gasman

Watch that spelling Vic. You know it makes a big difference to me. NOT.

.

I didn't know if you would catch that. Now I know that you read the fine print.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Oh! You must be referring to OCCAM'S RAZOR

Originally Posted by MikeT

That was awesome! Lol
I usually don't get this kind of humor... raised in a British colony yet never understood what some call English humor... also Dad jokes...
I got it this time!
I'm all grown up now... sweet!

Yes, that was a good one JB!

The joke is beyond me. Sorry guys i will have to google it.

Vic, i dont normally read the fine print, but it was long so it caught my eye. Normally folks use one or two words. Glad i seen it.

Ok, i asked the wife and she explained it to me. Dammit! I guess im just a bit slow and ... ill leave that open for people to think about.

I never got the Occam's Razor thing either, Jerry.
Never looked it up.
Fill a brother in, willya?
I suppose I COULD Googl it, yet that is no fun!

The wife said something about the Easier path being the right path. That was a few hours ago so I'm a little fuzzy on it right now. Thanks, Tom, I don't feel so stupid now. I hated school so I forgot most of it. What I remember is what I have needed to know again in life.

Oh well....Reckon I shall have to google it.....
Watch out for 'Occam's Razor' references!