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.

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!