Thread: paradoxal honing question...

Originally Posted by Chris L

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, it 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.

Someone finally said it. Thanks Chris

wow, thanks to everyone who responded so quickly...

The hone is brand new, so i have not flattened it...carbon full hollow razor

I guess before i attempt to try and use all this new information i have this question:


DOES IT MATTER?? if i have been getting a great shave and havent had any dragging or cuts or any problems whatsoever, does adapting the 'correct' method really matter in my specific case? can i continue to grind the razor....i am in fact using the 4000 when i 'grind'...

"Grinding" : using excessive force on the razor, pushing it downwards...i make sure that the razor is uniformly touching the stone, i do so by: my right hand pulling the razor forwards while my left is 'on top' pushing downwards ensuring it is all moving against the stone...a slurry usually develops after 4 passes...i clean the stone and razor...continue 'honing'...i can really feel the serrations developing...i arbitraily stop after 20-40 passes...move to 8K...strop...shave...


will this simply damage my razor in the long run? this isnt the nicest razor and i plan on purchasing a much nicer one in the future so perhaps the fact that i should preserve the 'razor to come' is the only reason i should change the way i am doing things now....

Based on all the video, it seems to me that the people 'gently brush / glide" the razor over the hone and here i am practically sweating with the amount of force im moving the razor with...

sorry forgot to answer another question:

the razor is flat...

It is a wide hone so no X pattern is being used...

Thanks again!

Mark

Originally Posted by mark7777

wow, thanks to everyone who responded so quickly...

The hone is brand new, so i have not flattened it...carbon full hollow razor

I guess before i attempt to try and use all this new information i have this question:


DOES IT MATTER?? if i have been getting a great shave and havent had any dragging or cuts or any problems whatsoever, does adapting the 'correct' method really matter in my specific case? can i continue to grind the razor....i am in fact using the 4000 when i 'grind'...

"Grinding" : using excessive force on the razor, pushing it downwards...i make sure that the razor is uniformly touching the stone, i do so by: my right hand pulling the razor forwards while my left is 'on top' pushing downwards ensuring it is all moving against the stone...a slurry usually develops after 4 passes...i clean the stone and razor...continue 'honing'...i can really feel the serrations developing...i arbitraily stop after 20-40 passes...move to 8K...strop...shave...


will this simply damage my razor in the long run? this isnt the nicest razor and i plan on purchasing a much nicer one in the future so perhaps the fact that i should preserve the 'razor to come' is the only reason i should change the way i am doing things now....

Based on all the video, it seems to me that the people 'gently brush / glide" the razor over the hone and here i am practically sweating with the amount of force im moving the razor with...

OK here is what I see from way over here....
I have never seen a "New" flat Norton so yer bending the razor to the stone, switch to the X pattern it will help, put the heel forward, when you hone....
The X pattern helps compensate for unevenness in either the razor or the stone......

Lap the stone it will help

You are wearing the razor out fast....

But it shaves so you are still ahead of the curve!!!!!!!

The only other thing I would add, if its a new razor unless you got a really sorry sample tread lightly with the 4K. You should only need the 8K or higher to bring it to perfection.