Why do x pattern on a big enough stone?

If you want to get technical I do think there is no need for an X pattern, but only if you can take out the human element. Perhaps if you could make a honing robot the X pattern would be obsolete. But for us mere humans, I think we have to use the X pattern to accommodate the most subtle variances in each stroke.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

I reckon there is an element of ergonomics involved with an X-stroke. To me a stroke that maintains a completely straight movement of the razor along the length of the hone is not as natural as one that incorporates some lateral movement toward the dominant side - particularly if your honing motion comes more from the elbow and wrist than the shoulder. Perhaps an X stroke "works" for most people because an X is a more natural and confident movement for most people??

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That's certainly possible. Though you could also take the hone and align it so that the path the razor would take on that x stroke is now coming straight down the hone right? If it's the path that's important then the alignment of the hone can be changed to match the path? The reason I mention this is that I don't do the X stroke except on narrow hones, but I also handhold my hones for comfort reasons, and I angle them so that I get a natural-feeling stroke while still coming straight down the hone. For smiling blades I tend to use both a rocking motion with my wrists and a rocking motion of the hone to get the job done.

You don't have to use an x pattern. Might help a bit at the end when you're pushing for super sharp.

The x pattern is more about pulling the razor off the hone. Its a little harder to push a razor down a hone without pressure. Practice a bit and you'll see.

Are we in the newbie section? No . . . cool.

If your just honing a razor up for general shaving, and you know what your doing, the varied sharpness of the edge isn't prevalent. Keep in mind though when your done that there may be a reason why barbers have always recommended using the base of the razor for the chin area. We have scores of members that find the chin area a challenge. There might be a little coorelation.

Keep in mind that typically, those folks that are not willing to learn a perfect stroke pattern on a hone start with one question "Why do I need to use a x pattern?" And my reply at this point is "Why would you ask?"

I believe the fundamental challenge with honing is learning a good repeatable stroke.

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Because it works...............:)

Lynn

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:rofl2::rofl2::rofl2::rofl2: