Thread: Honing with two hands

Weighing in with my 2 pennies on this one!!!!
I have found that whether I use one hand or two depends on the razor it's self. Starting out I try the one hand approach, if the blade is even and you can feel the blade sucking to the stone (hollow ground) then I continue with just the one hand honing. However if the is blade has any unevenness to it, then I stay on the 4000 Norton, with very, very, light pressure using two hands, until the blade edge or bevel evens out. Some times this is when I actually use the nagura stone to create a slurry, using the two handed style, and the slurry, to create the new edge and bevel. Then I switch back to one hand and continue up through the rest of the pyramid that I am using.....
Of course, this is only what has been working for me, it took a very badly honed Faultless razor, that I had to completely dull the edge to get rid of the heel frown, for me to prove to myself that this system works.... That razor was a butter knife when I started again on it, after I shaved with it the second time, I finally felt confident in this system
of course YMMV

Originally Posted by DEwey

+1 Never one to forcefully put forth my own experiences and opinions , I tend to be a two handed honer and the reason for this is that I am able to very lightly guide the blade along the stone more smoothly and more consistently than when I use one hand. I require a really keen edge to scrape off my wirey beard and this is how I am able to achieve it. YMMV but I think to presume history's course and the results of others seems just that - presumptuous. I am interested to hear of how everyone hones up their blades, however. Even in Greece
Happy Honing and Keen Edges to All -

Everyone judged by his results, his knowledge and his cultivation

That's very true Yannis - sorry for being a grumpy bugger yesterday.

This is just a guess, but I think you'll find that anyone who uses two hands to hone probably does not do it in the way that one handed honers think they do. Often the second hand is merely a finger on the spine at the tip, and any pressure that may be applied is most directly applied to the spine rather than the edge. I personally can achieve very light pressure on the edge with two hands by applying a very small amount of "push" against the spine with my thumb which, if done carefully, can allow negative pressure on the edge if you wish. One-handers achieve the same effect, I think, by adjusting weight at the tang

In any event, history does show, I guess, that one-handed honing is certainly more prevalent. Understandable, particularly with barbers doing in situ touch ups using barber hones and the like - hone in one hand, razor in the other, couple of swipes and you're off. Much quicker, and more professional-looking, than sitting the hone on the counter and going at it two-handed

James.

Why is one hand preferred or better? What are the essentials of a good honing that lead one to say such a thing. Just a question.

Justin

Good question though. I can't answer why one-hand is preferred, although I have theories.

Personally I believe that good honing is any honing that puts a shaving edge on a razor, whether just for yourself or for others . I guess better honers can get that done more quickly and consistently across a wide variety of conditions.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Good question though. I can't answer why one-hand is preferred, although I have theories.

Personally I believe that good honing is any honing that puts a shaving edge on a razor, whether just for yourself or for others . I guess better honers can get that done more quickly and consistently across a wide variety of conditions.

James.

Are people saying that one hand is superior because old barber manuals show it that way?. Maybe barbers used one hand only because they needed to use the other hand to hold the hone --- not the best method maybe but the quickest for a barber on the go. Just because certain things become a certain way as history speeds along does not necessarily mean they are superior or even correct. For everything I can think of, two hands is better than one (not everything I'm sure) --why not use that other hand?

Justin

Because it is difficult for me to explain with words my opinion as my english are not so good, I tried in this picture to explain my opinion in this subject. The curves are not made by real mesurements but they are the closest thing in my mind that can describe you what I think.
I dont know if the curves can be touched in the upper level of quality but it seems clearely that starting is dificult but in the way you have better results faster.
So that is why I sugest to newbyes to begin one hand honing.
This is just my opinion and I am not trying to forcefully make someone adopting it.

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

For everything I can think of, two hands is better than one (not everything I'm sure) --why not use that other hand?

Justin

Sometimes one hand simply is better than the other, and two aren't feasible.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

Originally Posted by Yannis

Everyone judged by his results, his knowledge and his cultivation

+1 Yannis. My point exactly.

How bout those Indians........



Lynn