Two very basic questions

I have a couple of very basic questions:

1. It is likely a general consensus that having a scratch pattern at 45 degrees to the edge or thereabouts will let the blade cut better. If honing on a stone removes the scratch pattern from the previous, lower grit, stone, would, if someone honed along the hone on lower grits and just honed in an x-pattern or with heal leading on the last hone leave you with a final 45 degree scratch pattern that is just as good?

2. Second question is about test shaving. Do you test shave after the 8K (if you were using a norton, and after stropping on leather)? Or do you finish first as you would normally do with a higher grit finishing stone before each test shave?

These questions have been bugging me. ;) Any clarification would be much appreciated.

Different strokes suit different folks, you'll just have to try all of those scenarios for yourself and see what works for you.

It should be a fun process, you'll learn far more than just taking someone else's advice and never trying the alternatives, enjoy!

Answers (my own, others' opinions may vary)

1. Scratch patterns matter a lot more at lower grits. Once you get into the 8k+ realm the angle doesn't matter as much. In some cases, you have little choice but to hone at an angle. I have not noticed a difference either way.

2. test shave when you think the blade is sharp enough. Usually those who have finishing hones/strops will use them and not just stop at the 8k. They almost always improve the edge further. However, while learning to hone you should seek to get a comfortable edge off the 8k. Finishing hones/strops will generally not improve an edge that is not already sharp (unless you spend a heck of a lot of time on them).

I don't give a hoot about the direction the scratches run. :)

Some guys care, and the barber manuals talk about it, but I've never noticed any difference no matter which way the scratches run. Actually, if you use a pasted strop it basically erases the scratches completely.

I like to test shave after the fine hone, which for me is the coticule. I say test shave off your finest hone. A pasted strop will camouflage a bad edge sometimes. You want to get the edge right coming off the hone, then improve it with the strop.

Just my 2 cents,
Josh

I don't buy into the scratch pattern thing too much because my hand is not so mechanically perfect as to stay perfectly consistent.
A low grit stone or enough passes will start you off however you're going with it just fine.
Whoever disagrees and likes the patterns, I salute your robo-arm.