Thread: Alternative to honing/stroping cycles - Doing Sets?

I've been looking at honing/stroping methods and noticed most, if not all, use cycles (one forward, one back) If I understand the principles behind honing and stroping, wouldn't the outcome be the same if you do sets (e.g .10 forward, 10 back) as well? The reason is because I would imagine that consistency, control, and speed would be improved if the grip wouldn't need to alternate so much you just need to make sure that you lift the blade off. So long as you do equal amounts on both sides of the blade, conceptually would it give the same results?

I would prefer to do sets instead of cycles so I wanna know if this has been spoken of.

I know that for me, it makes sure I apply the same number of strokes to each side. If I lose count, at least I know I did the same number of strokes on each side of the blade. If I did a set of 20 on one side, and lost count on the other, I'd be wearing the blade unevenly. This is a relatively minor issue if you can count, though

Once you get used to it, the grip isn't bad at all. Rolling the spine over almost becomes second nature. I'm sure some honemeisters will chime in with some better reasoning, too.

Hmmmmmm sounds like an experiment in the making
Let us know how it turns out......

The edge we want to create on the razor is finer than for almost any other purpose. As a result, I imagine that failing to complete laps (up and back) on the hone especially would result in a rolled edge all on one side, the last side you honed. The ultra fine razor's edge benefits from the up and back routine because it keeps both sides of the edge progressing at precisely (or as nearly so as can be managed) the same rate. I doubt you'd be successful with what you plan.

X

Originally Posted by xman

The edge we want to create on the razor is finer than for almost any other purpose. As a result, I imagine that failing to complete laps (up and back) on the hone especially would result in a rolled edge all on one side, the last side you honed. The ultra fine razor's edge benefits from the up and back routine because it keeps both sides of the edge progressing at precisely (or as nearly so as can be managed) the same rate. I doubt you'd be successful with what you plan.

X

So the only reason you would do cycles is to make sure you do equal amounts on each side. No offense but LOGICALLY you CAN do sets instead of cycles so long as you maintain focus on your counts and keep them minimal. You wouldnt do 60 strops one side then 60 on other. it would be 10 Forward 10 Back 10 Forward 10 back. Even cycles can be flawed. If you keep count I'm pretty sure it would work. Just because it challenges conventional methods doesnt mean it won't work. There is effectiveness and then theres efficiency. There are MANY methods to sharpen metal and if it works its effective, but efficiency is doing it with the least strain and it isn't the same for everyone.

I think the reason we recommend doing it back and forth is because you just flip the razor and go back. Doing sets just brings in another chance to do something bad to the razor as you bring it off the hone. To be honest when I hone Japanese Straights for restoration thats the way I do it , in sets and it works just fine. I have no reason to believe it wouldn't work the same with a western straight. Just be careful.

When I was "inventing" my ultralight weight backpackers 3x3 card strop I did sets as you describe. It was so short turning each stroke was a bother.

I didn't grow a beard, so it worked. The only ill effect was using CrO everyday for 3 months.

I never honed that way , but I can speculate. I would be mindful of turning up a "large" bur, so that when you turn the blade over make a very deliberate and light stroke, otherwise you might possibly bend it or shred it off, rather than carefully cutting it off.

The disadvantage to this approach as far as I can see is that you have the potential to build up a wire edge that you are pushing from side to side as you hone. This wire edge can of couse be eliminated but you need to recognize when it develops and know how to remove it. I would be interested in hearing about your results.

Originally Posted by netsurfr

The disadvantage to this approach as far as I can see is that you have the potential to build up a wire edge that you are pushing from side to side as you hone. This wire edge can of couse be eliminated but you need to recognize when it develops and know how to remove it. I would be interested in hearing about your results.

Now that is what I call a good rebutal. I can see how a wire edge can form from honing, you think it could work with stroping though? I would imagine that the most important thing is consitency.

For stropping, though, the most efficient movement is the back and forth strokes.

You can fix any wire edge that might form during the honing cycles, but that's a slightly harder skill to master than just alternating as is commonly recommended.

If you do try it out, though, we love to hear about tests and results .