Thread: paradoxal honing question...

Hi Mark:

We've all been there (frustration). You're definitely learning something new here.

I assume when you say you grind into the hone and then see results you're talking about the 4000 side of your Norton?

The "weight of the blade only" is a term frequently used. I think the problem can arise if it's taken literally. The way I visualize "the weight of the blade" in a true literal sense, would be separating the blade from the scales, laying the blade on the hone and simply pushing the blade along from the back of the spine with some object that would only provide lateral momentum and absolutely no downward pressure. Thinking of it that way, I don't think I'd ever want to hone a razor again for lack of enjoyment. No one is advocating that.

Have you tried the "marker test" to see where exactly your edges are touching the hone? SOME part of that blade must be touching somewhere. Maybe the blade is torqued to the point where there are significant areas that are simply not making contact with the hone in which case you could hone not for hours, but for days or weeks and never see results. If you have a hollow grind, it would then make sense that reaming on the blade makes contact and produces some lucky results.

I perform the marker test on every blade I put to the hone. It saves time, steel, and best of all, my sanity.

IF you don't have a blade that behaves (most don't really) and lays perfectly flat on the hone on BOTH sides of the blade, then the "weight of the blade only" probably won't work; I mean that you'll probably have to incorporate more creative/advanced honing techniques.

If you give us more info, hopefully we can help you more.

Chris L