Thread: Newbie need advice on honing

My first question would be what is the x pattern? I've searched on the forum and found alot of people reference it but I can't seem to find out what it is. Does anyone have a link or pics as to what it is?
Second, I just got my Norton 4/8k and am hesitant to just dive in and start honing. All of my razors that I'm going to be practicing on have pretty much no edge, so I'm looking at setting a bevel and then getting a good shaving edge. Any advice before I start?
Third, I did try a few passes on the 4k last night and it seems that I'm getting alot of work done on the heel but next to nothing is happening at the toe. It felt a bit strange too, to do passes with the scales still on the razor. Is this normal? Do you leave the scales on while sharpening or take them off? How can I improve my technique to get more of the blade and not just the heel?
That's all I'll ask for now. I have quite a few more questions, but I'll save them until later

Thanks guys and thanks to this forum. This place and all of the members has been a tremendous help in my learning straight shaving.

heres a fe files from the library to get you started.


Honing and Stroping

There some good animations here pay particular attention to Rany Tuttles Norton Pyramid Honing guide.

Thanks WildTim....some great info there.