Thread: Xs and rolling Xs

Originally Posted by Bart

...You're much more likely to run into trouble with existing warp on a straight edge.)

I think you are right

So blades with some degree of warpage (and/or smiles) are not unusual -- which has been my experience. And using the rolling X along the side of the hone (the extreme right 1.5" or so-- which is what I've been doing) is the technique to deal with it.

I guess what confused me is that I was told (did not hear/see Him say it) that Lynn felt a 30-45 degree X pattern was the best way to deal with these, and that was not my experience.

Thanks to everyone who responded. BTW -- got my first coticule today (fr Jim at VB)! Another adventure begins....

Originally Posted by pcb01

So blades with some degree of warpage (and/or smiles) are not unusual -- which has been my experience. And using the rolling X along the side of the hone (the extreme right 1.5" or so-- which is what I've been doing) is the technique to deal with it.

Not a necessity to use narrow hones, it is easier but honestly I rarely go to mine and most of my honing is on restores...


I guess what confused me is that I was told (did not hear/see Him say it) that Lynn felt a 30-45 degree X pattern was the best way to deal with these, and that was not my experience.


It does if you actually use that technique the right way , in fact this might be the easiest to master... You need to watch the NC meet-up webcast IIRC I show how to do this the right way on there....


Thanks to everyone who responded. BTW -- got my first coticule today (fr Jim at VB)! Another adventure begins....

This is where having certain sets of stones helps with restoring razors, you can use just about anything you want when things go right, but when things go wrong I still want a good solid 1k to sort it out....

Actually, I prefer a 45 degree angle for warped, frowned, smiley or razors with a significant amount of hone wear. The 45 degree angle using both circles and X strokes is what has been the most successful for me.

Although the rolling X may work for some in any of it's variations, it is a stroke that new guys can really screw up and get poor results. I have used a rolling X with varying degrees of success and it is something that will work, but I am always concerned with lifting any part of the razor during a honing stroke.

Different strokes..........

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

Actually, I prefer a 45 degree angle for warped, frowned, smiley or razors with a significant amount of hone wear. The 45 degree angle using both circles and X strokes is what has been the most successful for me.

Although the rolling X may work for some in any of it's variations, it is a stroke that new guys can really screw up and get poor results. I have used a rolling X with varying degrees of success and it is something that will work, but I am always concerned with lifting any part of the razor during a honing stroke.

Different strokes..........

Lynn

Forgive the newb question, but: What is angled 45 degrees, exactly? Do you mean you are lifting the spine off the hone to a 45-degree angle? (Akin to sharpening a knife?)

Or is the spine flat on the hone, but the toe + heel of the blade are angled 45 degrees from the back of the hone like this: / ?

Originally Posted by Basset

Or is the spine flat on the hone, but the toe + heel of the blade are angled 45 degrees from the back of the hone like this: / ?

It means a 45 degree angle relative to the hone with the blade flat on the hone. If it were not a smiler or a warped or worn spine it would be at 90 degrees. There is some individual variation on that among honers but that is what Lynn describes here in Lynn Abrams On Honing in the SRP Wiki.

I've tryed the 45 degree angle i carn't seem to get it to work as good as the rolling x lynn point about screwing up edge is very true because there is a nack to this but i find i get on with this method very well i always keep my spine flat to the hone with the roll and i do rolling x and i also do the stroke at 45 degree angle same thing but i start with heal down then finish toe slightly raized if needed. Practice with an old razor.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

It means a 45 degree angle relative to the hone with the blade flat on the hone. If it were not a smiler or a warped or worn spine it would be at 90 degrees. There is some individual variation on that among honers but that is what Lynn describes here in Lynn Abrams On Honing in the SRP Wiki.

Just to be clear: you mean with the spine flat on the hone as well?

Originally Posted by pcb01

So blades with some degree of warpage (and/or smiles) are not unusual -- which has been my experience. And using the rolling X along the side of the hone (the extreme right 1.5" or so-- which is what I've been doing) is the technique to deal with it.

I guess what confused me is that I was told (did not hear/see Him say it) that Lynn felt a 30-45 degree X pattern was the best way to deal with these, and that was not my experience.

Thanks to everyone who responded. BTW -- got my first coticule today (fr Jim at VB)! Another adventure begins....

Reading one particular quote by Lynn," I typically use a 45 degree angle when honing wedges, smiling blades or older razors that have really uneven spine wear."

Lynn mentions that he typically hones wedges and smiling blades with a 45 I don't think that means that he always does. If the blade has a smile or a warp to the point where the 45 approach isn't enough for the edge to make contact with the hone then obviously whoever is doing the honing will have to compensate for it by altering their stroke.