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

Originally Posted by Lynn

For the most part, if I have a wedge with an unevenly honed bevel and edge or if I have a smiley blade, I go to the 45 degree angle X stroke. I use circles with 45 degrees as well for really messed up blades. Not being an engineer or scientist, I can't explain why, but the 45 degrees has always allowed the entire edge to hit the stone as I worked the X stroke. By not rolling or leaning the edge into the stone, it has proven to be very consistent and has taken a lot of the variables out of the stroke. But then, I like honing on a stable surface too vs. the palm of my hand. Different strokes for different folks.

Most of the techniques that work for me have come from experimenting and developing them with honing thousands of razors over the years. I totally realize that people will find their own ways of doing things and feel that is the best way for all of us to continue to learn. So if something works for someone on one razor or 10 razors and they love to post, we will continue to see new experts and new methods. Tis a great thing.

Have fun,

Lynn

Lynn probably forgot more about honing than I know and I'm not an expert yet but a big + 1 on honing on a stable surface. I know that there are respected honemiesters who favor the palm of the hand but having tried it I find it too difficult to keep the razor consistently flat while trying to keep the hone steady at the same time. Obviously YMMV.

I gotta ask here just for my own clarification....

When you guys do a rocking/rolling X are you actually liffting the spine as you roll through or rock through the stroke????? BTW are we officially calling it rock or roll???? yeah yeah I would rather call it Rock-n-Roll too ....

it's got to be a really messed up blade for me to have to lift the spine off the hone (sometimes i do like lynn and even it out a bit first, but sometimes i just experiment but these are my razors and it doesn't matter how long it takes me to get the job).
so in almost all cases i keep the spine on the hone, but may rotate the razor if the geometry requires that for the edge to be in constant contact with the hone as well.

What I do that I call the rolling x will slightly lift the spine and the edge directly across from it but there will always be more of the blade .... spine and the edge directly across from it on the hone at all times. If by the nature of the blade it will not lie flat on the hone for the length of the blade than when the spine and edge at the heel are on the hone the spine and the edge at the point will be off of the hone and vis versa. Here is an example of a razor that I found it necessary to use a rolling x on..... YMMV but I doubt it.

I use rolling x quite regular even on regular blades i still find vert tip or very heal does'nt quite get there i always use black marker even watch the wave in front of blade but the marker tells all. I just lead with heal down first and gradualy rotate toward the toe at the end of x stroke always keeping spine flat in line with edge that is on the hone my stroke is pritty swift one to to keep things even if i go to slow i find it more unsteady little quiker better for me but it works every part of the edge.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

What I do that I call the rolling x will slightly lift the spine and the edge directly across from it but there will always be more of the blade .... spine and the edge directly across from it on the hone at all times. If by the nature of the blade it will not lie flat on the hone for the length of the blade than when the spine and edge at the heel are on the hone the spine and the edge at the point will be off of the hone and vis versa. Here is an example of a razor that I found it necessary to use a rolling x on..... YMMV but I doubt it.

OMG ! I wouldn't know where to start with that razor - Looks amazing though

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I gotta ask here just for my own clarification....

When you guys do a rocking/rolling X are you actually liffting the spine as you roll through or rock through the stroke????? BTW are we officially calling it rock or roll???? yeah yeah I would rather call it Rock-n-Roll too ....

I don't think I lift. It's not my intention to.

Directed pressure is all in the fingers.