Thread: I hone under water

I just realized how weird this practice might be, but it's produced the best results for me. I use a 4/8k Norton in a big pyrex casserole dish, filled well over the top of the stone with cool water. If there is any slurry produced, it's washed away pretty quickly as the entire razor is submersed the whole time while honing. The 8k side is still snow white after years of honing.

I use two hands and the weight of the scales to adjust the pressure on the cutting edge - i.e. for aggressive honing, the scales are parallel to the stone so the weight pushes down on the edge. Near the end of a pyramid I move the scales perpendicular (straight away) from the hone for minimal pressure. It takes FOREVER but I can really feel what's going on with the razor's edge; it's kind of like honing in super slow-motion.

This method is probably just an unorthodox band-aid for my clumsiness and my having to learn to hone without instruction - I didn't find this site (or any resource) until long after I'd been straight shaving... I'm just wondering, has anyone else ever tried doing this?

You mean the 8K side is yellow

More importantly: I don't think all scales would appreciate this treatment, and also worry about corrosion around the pins...

This strikes me as a little quirky - and I don't mean in a negative way... As long as your scales tolerate it and there is no corrosion - Rock on!

Cheers
Ivo

The old barber who helped me get started also showed me to hone under water! he would hold the hone under running water while honing! Not exactly as you describe but I am sure the results are similar!

It seems very different to me, actually - I have only tried it for several swipes at a time - the hand holding the hone is actually angled, and I am sure the water hits the surface and moves in a different way compared to doing it in a caserole

Anyway, I haven't done it for any extended period of time. I have tried honing with lots of water, though, and also without any... Lots of water on a coticule or Escher gives nice final polish imo

Cheers
Ivo

That sounds interesting. Are you saying the 4K side has no steel residue? Have you tried to hone above water Aquaman? Is there a bouyancy issue underwater that helps?

Sounds neat though.

I too have done many things differently in order to achieve my best results.

Wow what a dissappointment. I was expecting a post of a guy putting on a dive suit and submerging himself in a pool or something to do his honing.

Seriously though. The only thing I would also be worried about is some scale materials. It would seem to me the resistance of the water would interfere with the feel of the whole process but then again I haven't tried it so I don't know.

I can see honing under a running stream of water, thats kind of like those honing machines they sell which seem to work that way. The running water keeps the surface slick and clean.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It would seem to me the resistance of the water would interfere with the feel of the whole process...

That's exactly it - the razor sort of floats in the dish and you can exactly feel when the edge touches the stone. Also, all movement is slowed down by the water resistance so the feel is completely different. It seems like I can feel what I'm doing to the blade whereas standard technique is a complete crapshoot for me.

I probably take ten times as long as everyone else, but I guess what else would I be doing that's more important?

As far as protecting the scales and pin, submersion hasn't really affected anything yet. I only have to hone about once or twice a year, and when I'm done I take them to the garage and blow dry the razors with an air compressor.


On a side note... if anyone's watching the world series there was just a stolen base... free taco bell tacos for everyone!

Should this thread be moved to the joke forum?
Just a thought . . .