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12-11-2008, 01:12 PM #4
which side is it? the push or the pull stroke.
Everyone; I believe, whether they know it or not, has a bias when honing. A strong or weak portion of the stroke that needs some slight effort to compensate for.
The flat surface of the hone will have no difficulty identifying any inconsistencies of grind or warp when using a consistent even stroke. I have been lucky with the dozen or so vintage razors I have with no warp or other odd-ball problems.
It could be though that you are having issues with the application of force. I try to apply a slight twisting force to the stroke which lightens abrasion on the spine while directing it toward the edge. Also as the stroke progresses I try to alter the area where the force is applied. So that it "feels" like the "force"," pressure" transitions from heel, to middle, to toe.
This seems to be especially good at getting the heel and toe, with the middle falling behind. To compensate for this I hold the razor, perpendicular to the stone and do something more like a perpendicular sliding X. so when one area falls behind you make an extra stroke design to catch up.
For balancing, evening out, I end on each stone with a series of very light even strokes mimicking the strokes i will make on the finish hone. Each finer stone in the progression gets less directed stokes and more even balanced strokes so that by the time i get to the finish hone that is all it needs.
Still i have a bias at the end of my push stroke that gives me a slightly wider bevel on that side at the toe.
It is, as many realize, very difficult to describe. this may not be the problem at all. I advocate taking an active role in sharpening- making sharpness happen via light directed pressure. As I see it using weightless, even strokes throughout the progression is a passive technique.