Thread: X pattern

Obviously, the outer parts of the edge get significantly less time on the stone. Is there a method to compensate for this?

Use a narrower stone?

I have to say I don't see the point of having a 3" hone if you plan to use an X pattern, or vice versa.

So I'd be interested in the answer too.

I am totally lost with that question


Here is the wiki link to tons of honing info, I just don't quite know what yer asking?????

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Use the Rolling X where the heel of the blade gets the main contact with the hone as you start each honing stroke and gently roll that point of contact or mildly focused pressure up the blade to the tip as you progress along the hone. This will even it out and give you a good edge.

X

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am totally lost with that question


Here is the wiki link to tons of honing info, I just don't quite know what yer asking?????

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

OK, I'll try to be a bit more descriptive if I can:

Say I have a 2 inch wide stone. I start with the heel very close to the right edge of the stone, and as I start to move the blade at an angle (by definition of the X pattern) the vicinity of the heel leaves the hone pretty quickly, say it stays on the hone for a fifth of the stroke duration, while the midpoint of the edge gets full time. The complement of this holds for the point of the razor.

Hope this clarifies what I'm trying to ask.

Yes it does,
I am reading both of your recent posts are we talking about the Dovo that you were mentioning in the other thread?????

That peculiarity and the improvised method I described on the other post are on the 1200 grit DMT, which is wide enough to not require the X pattern. My concern voiced in this thread arises after moving on to belgian stones. (and is rather theoretical, and razor independent, actually.)

if i understand your question right ? .you are asking when you do x pattern heel is touching to the hone less the other parts of the blade example point.
you are right it is.
Now if you want to avoid this you can use a little strange x pattern,
when you use x pattern you keep your razor constantly 90 degree to the stone right?
Now change it aproximately 120 see what will happens.
Please understand i am not saying narrow stone won't do the job this is just another way to resolve that problem.
hope this helps.

Thank you I'll try that.

Is there any known downside to using a curved stroke? My tendency is to start out straight so the heel gets more time, then make a sudden curve, and end straight as well, like the (vertically) middle section of the letter S.

OK lets take it step by step....
Setting the bevel: you can start with straight across stoke, then after the sharpness starts, change to the X pattern to finish out I use a heel forward angle...
Sharpening: Use the X pattern I know it seems like the blade would be uneven from this but it will not, watch the water as you slide the razor across the hone you will notice how it moves upward (toward the toe) along the edge... So does the point of contact giving a even sliding motion across the hone....
I do not use a rolling X on a straight edge only on a smiling edge...
You only want to use enough pressure to keep the razor level and even on the hone no more no less...
This same question has come up many times but just so long as you use a nice light even stroke the X pattern will not give an uneven edge...
Personally I like a slightly heel forward stoke it seems to work better, but everyones honing stoke is slightly different so you have to figure out what works for you the best as you progress.....