Thread: When to use an X and when to use a 45-X

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've pretty much gotten into the habit of using about a 30 degree x stroke for everything. The only time I hone perpendicular to the stone is just for the novelty of it. I've never really understood why the 45 degree angle is supposed to help more with smiling blades. To me, they require more of a rolling x. I don't see why a 45 degree rotation in and of itself, has any impact on how the blade makes contact with the hone.

I've wondered about this but never had the sense to ask, so thank you to Huntmol.

I am still amazed every time I pull a smiling blade off the hones and shave with it. It just works so well and is just so darned simple!!!

Kudos to Lynn for giving me the "secret".


My theory as to why it works:
The entire blade is not sitting on the hone evenly when the razor is 45*. And all the swarf collects right at the edge of the hone, just like a rocking stroke. Therefore, I think it works exactly the same, its just easier.

Probably easier because the difference in distance between the edge and the spine due the smile is made less by angling the blade. Therefore, the middle doesn't "rock" the blade as much allowing us to lay the blade almost perfectly flat.

I dunno, I just know it works.