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Just out of curiousety, how many of you guys are honing standing up?
As for my part, I started this a few months back.And I have to say my honing skills have improved significantly.Much better control with my strokes.I also keep all of my hones in the palm of my hand while honing.Not recomended by many, but it sure works great for me;)
I have used the hand held method and it seems OK. I figure though, just as they make tripods for cameras, it's impossible to be as precise as when the hone is stationary on a bench top- Though it is hard to argue with success. Do as I do- the way you like it:)
My set up is made for sitting in the floor, though i can sit on a stool or stand up with the same stuff raised higher.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevint
I don't know.When sitting down with the hone on a bench top, the hone stays copletly still, while no matter what your arm will be wiggling for some degree.When I'm standing up with the hone in my hand, I feel like my two arms can adjust to one another to make a completly even stroke.Also I do the honing in my bathroom,over the sink.That way I use the sink as support to my ehh..groin, wich adds balance.I leave the water running from the tap, so that I allways have clean water access on my hones.No forreign residues when flipping my combo stone.No mess and no bitching from wife( Except when she has to use the bathroom:gaah:)Mabe this just makes sense to me, and as you said: Do it the way you like it.
When I first started I had a hard time keeping the razor flat on the hone throughout the stroke if I was sitting down. I started honing standing up and things got better immediately. I learned to hone sitting down at work because the countertop is too low for me to stand but at home I still hone standing up.
I never have honed holding the stone in the palm unless it was refreshing the edge on a Swaty or a flat bed with chrom ox. Some guys say they get good results that way but I like a stationary firm base when I am honing.
All my ways are pretty unconventional when it comes to messing with straight razors. I hold what would be equivalent to an 8X3" stone in my right hand with my elbow resting on the arm chair. (I'm left handed.) So while I'm not standing up I'm not laying the stone on a bench/table/floor...and I think that was the point of your thread.
I'm even getting good results from moving the hone and razor at the same time. Half the movement for each hand. I think a guy could make an argument for consistency there if he wanted to. Don't know if I'd go for the argument but do know it works for me.
The issue of being precise came up. I think that *with me* being comfortable and RELAXED help me STAY precise far more than having the stone on a table. It's is just a foreign and awkward motion compared to leaning back in my office chair both elbows on rest and making short movements with both hands. It sure makes keeping the blade flat-to-the-hone easier and gives me more feedback as too how much pressure I'm using as well.
+1 to that.much better feedback to pressure.I also started stropping in shoulder height, that to improved stropping.Because it is a natural movement.
I personal hone standing with hone in my palm wheather it is my norton or belgiums i even use my paddle standing at times i do sit down but still rest hone in my hand and supported by use of dinning table it is more relaxing if i'm doing a lot of strokes. but i find the holding in hand gives me more feel i can even move the hone with a stroke or two if you no what i mean and keep pressure realy light two. and you can hone where ever you want .Quote:
Originally Posted by KristofferBodvin
I hone standing up also, one, becasue I started that way, two becasue I have a nice little set up that sits on the bathroom counter, that allows access to clear water at all times, and does not move, three becasue it is my space, so I have no distractions, gotta be in the hone zone :D
I would love to be able to sit in front of the tv or computer and hone, I have tried it, just doesn't work for me....
I find it very usefull to hone at my bathroom, that way I can quickly touch up razors that I have honed if they don't pass the shaving test, while actually shaving.If that made sense..
I hone standing at the sink where I shave for pretty much the same reasons others have stated and never felt entirely comfortable when not holding the hone.
I don't get much difference in effect sitting or standing using a stone holder. And I am fine just doing a few light finish passes with the stone in my palm. The "heavy" work or setting, correcting the bevel, simple scratch removal progression, I really prefer the stone holder with the choice of both hands or one instantly available. This is where the extra precision of stability comes into play.
The same for stone lapping. imho it is more accurate to have either the stone or lap stationary rather than one in each hand
Lets see...
1. I hone standing up with the hone in my hand when guys are waiting for me to get done
2. Sitting in my recliner watching TV with my hone in my hand when I have lots of time
3. Sitting on my 8' long wooden bench on the back porch with my hones stacked up on the patio table, with an umbrella over me during the spring, summer and fall. The hones are on the table but raised up an inch or two.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/...76a960a9d1.jpg
Thats "Howard" from the Perfectedge.com and "Bruce"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/...f4b5ddda68.jpg
and this is "Ted" enjoying the scope
All the positions will work, it just takes practice.
I just could not resist posting the pic's!:nj
So much great stuff! Soooooo jealous!
You could build a house of your collection Randy!
Of course, that would be a terrible waste...
I do prefer to hand hold my hones while standing up. I am able to do this with my BBW/coticule combo because it is relatively small and on the lighter side. But, with my King 220/1K, which is wider and heavier, I hone sitting down with the stone on my sink.
I hone standing up. At the stage that i'm at i need to make it as easy as possible, so they go on the kitchen worktop for the stability. I also find that i seem to be pivoting from my lower back to a certain extent. Makes it ache a bit, but that just means i stop for a break before my concentration begins to lag!
Considering I usually hone a minimum of 12-15 razors per day, I am definitely seated. I ain't takin out all my hones, but if you guys want some pics, I'll see what I can do.........:rofl2:
Like most other things here, personal preference rules!!!!
Have fun,
Lynn
I always hone sitting down, but holding the stone in my open left hand. I find it gives me a lot more control and feel during the strokes. It's just a lot more comfortable than with the stone on a table/counter. Just my preferrence, do whatever works for you!
Dave
I'm a man, aka I stand when I pee or honing. Well, wait... sometimes I sit.....
All kidding aside, it depends. If I just need to touch up, lotsa times I'm standing. If I'm setting a bevel on a Joseph Rogers wedge, I'm probably sitting, or crying in the corner because it takes so dang long. It just depends on the amount of work I have to do.
:rofl2::rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben325e
Yes Lynn, post some hone porn!
12-15 PER DAY!!!?? you must be making some FAT bux!!
I tried sitting in the lazy boy, with no good results. I have tried sitting at the kitchen table with the same kind of results as sitting in the lazy boy.
I now stand in my shave den in front of the sink and hold the stone in my left hand. I find that I have better control over the razor, and tend to not get my shoulder into it like I do when I am sitting.
Just my two cents.
When I get ready for a honing session I usually have 12 or 15 razors in front of me. Most are for touchup with my two finest hones but some are going from the bottom up. My last session lasted 4 hours so I am always sitting. It works for me.
bj
I usually do one at a session sometimes two. If it is a dull razor it might take 45 minutes it might take an hour or two depending on blade condition,whether it has chips and what not. I will hone standing at the kitchen sink with the stone of choice on a folded towel and work. I might go fifteen minutes to a half hour and then go over to the computer for a break or if I am "on a mission" I might just do whatever it takes with no break.
I wish........don't ever think that honing razors is the way to make your fortune. Ain't gonna happen.......and I still do a lot of freebies for new folks or folks that can't afford it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shavelle
Lynn
I always hone standing up now, and I also hone sideways (right-to-left-to-right), on the kitchen countertop. I usually hone 3-6 razors at a time for a few to several hours.
Well OK, just as long as this does not get out of hand like the peeing-sitting-down thread. :rofl2: