Thread: How do you hone?

I think some polls may give more perspective as to what is actually common practice around here, and not just the generally accepted wisdom. I have just started holding the hone in my hand, and I find it much more comfortable than on a bench. I seem to get similar results either way, but in the hand is much more enjoyable.
So how do you hone?

I use Norton hones, I use the box lid as the stone holder as I am able to add water to the hone without fear of water running all over. I do not hold the hone.

All my hones are too big to hold in my hand, and I mostly use two hands to hone anyway...

James.

I always lay the hone in front of me on a table, slightly to my left side.
I hone singlehanded, and the hone lays lengthwise away for me so I move the razor away from me, and to me.

Oh goodness I'm a bit mixed up ...
A bit of everything
If I'm using my big hones .. it's on the table or what I call "the stable table " a sort of tabletop on top of a beanbag type thing ..
If smaller stones eg. little Belgian yellow / blue or barber hones .. I hold them in my hand ..........
I like to play about

Originally Posted by Bruno

I always lay the hone in front of me on a table, slightly to my left side.
I hone singlehanded, and the hone lays lengthwise away for me so I move the razor away from me, and to me.

I hone in the same way

Two hands, hones on table, hones facing North/South (hone away and toward me rather than left to right or right to left.

Chris L

I get best results holding the hones in my hand. Even the big DMT plates. Plus it's a good isometric wrist flexor exercise.

I tend to use my hones hand held and I mostly own 8" x 3" hones. The only one I don't use that way is the Norton, too messy! I used to keep the hone on the bench or on my knee but I found holding the hone made it easier to handle my smiling blades that seem to require some body English to get honed evenly. Not sure what I'll do if I end up with those glass Shaptons... I'll probably try the holder on the bench but suspect I'll end up hand holding them like barber hones.

Regards

Christian

I hone standing up at the kitchen sink. I hold the hone in my hand, norton or cotcule.

Charlie