Thread: In hand or bench

New to honing.Is it better to hone in hand or bench when first starting to hone?

I like the in hand method because you are less likely to use too much pressure. A lot of people will use both - smaller in hand and bench on a table or something. I use hand for everything except for sometimes a bevel set. Would probably hone on the bench/table more if I had a nice spot with everything at a height I liked.

Smaller in hand. Larger on a bench, pond etc. Try both ways. You'll see what works for you..

I hone, in hand.

Bench nearly 100% bench

Keep in mind I am honing tons of stuff that is "Off" so I have to correct it

Simple touchups doesn't really matter all that much

Only time I bench hone is with a stone that is too big to hold like my dad's old double sided honing "block."



It's in a pasteurized cheese box for storage but it has its own pond it sits in. I even hand hold it sometimes for the last set of finish laps to help control pressure. Its just too heavy and not practical to hand hold it for more than a few laps. Other than that, everything I hand hold.

I have mine on my desk pull-out on a thick paper towel. Since I use waterstones, it's less messy. I also am lazy, so I don't have to hold the thing.
Frees up the other hand to get a sip...

On the bench for me

It’s a mix for me. My coticules easily fit my hand. My synthetics are larger and almost all came with storage boxes that double as stands so they get used on the bench.

My vermio and la Lune get used in hand or in an adjustable stand depending on my mood.

Generally, if I’m touching up an edge, it’s in hand. If I’m resetting a bevel, it’s on the bench. If it’s somewhere in between, it depends on which way the wind is blowing ; )

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Bench nearly 100% bench

Keep in mind I am honing tons of stuff that is "Off" so I have to correct it

Simple touchups doesn't really matter all that much

Pretty much sums it up I would think!