Thread: Hone Angle

Is there a difference between the edge produced from the long hone as shown on superfly's avatar, and a steeper X pattern on a smaller, narrower barber hone. I understand that one is easier, but does one produce a better edge?

X

Hmm... a subject of some debate. Old Barbers used the small hones, and the claim (according to some barbering texts) was that the "X" pattern created opposing "fins", which in turn were responsible for the cutting action of the edge. Having the two bevel edges meet at about a 45 dgree angle should, in theory, create the saw-like fins.

That said, the real angle of the X pattern may be more or less effective depending on the steel type, and the state of the edge to start with, along with the stropping technique.

Me? I use an 8" Norton, and the barber hones, and use the SAME "X" stroke for both! Consistency, if nothing else will teach you how you are doing, and how well!

Hope this made some sense ....

Best -

I've been trying to picture that. The honing at a 45 degree angle seems perfectly logical. Too steep (along the edge) and those cutting fins would likely get remoed, too wide (90 degrees, directly into the edge) would likely create weak fins and result in more frequent honing. Is that all right?

But the thing with honing both sides of the razor heel leading for example, would create fins all running the same way and the cutting (shearing) action of the fins would be a myth.

My mind is obviously not quite wrapping around this.

X

True enough, that the 'fins' would be running tha same direction on both sides with a 45 degree honing angle. BUT - this is where the 'grit' size comes in! There will be microscopic - REALLY microscopic - fins created down to about the grit size of the hones particulate. Therefore, by honing at the required angle, heel first, the edge is both balanced, and is as good as the finest grit used.

Hope this made some sense.....

Best -

ever looked at them through those RS 100X microscopes? you can see the fins with the heavy grit, barber hone, sand paper, norton... but as you move up to 8k, finishing hones... the fins are gone.

I have tried the X patter, 90 degrees, 30, 45 and everything in between and the norton at 90.

They all work very well. I use my norton when I need to do bulk honing, and keep my barber hones where I shave in case a blade goes dull during a shave, or need to sharpen 1 razor or something.

I can't tell with which ones I used the norton and which ones with the barbor hone.

I would recommend you hold it any way you're comfortable with.

Good luck