Originally Posted by JohnP
I've wondered about this too, I thought that the suction was due to the edge being smooth enough to make a seal to the stone, and then their being resulting suction created between it, the water, and the hollow of the blade.
It would be interesting to learn what it really is, though. I think all of us have noticed it. And by the way, Joe your thumb method sounds a little different than I've done. I'm going to try your version out myself this weekend, thanks for the good instructions. Here is essentially my method: In the past I would hone until I "felt" the stone, (the sucking everyone is discussing) then I would drag the edge on a wet thumbnail; if it dug in smooth I would strop it, and if afterwards I could feel the edge "catch" on my wet thumb, I would see if it would cut a hair waved across the edge (the hanging hair test, in a "less dangerous" method). Sometimes I also like to look at the edge as i go, using a microscope, although I must admit some of the smoothest LOOKING edges aren't necessarily the smoothest SHAVING ones...
Interesting stuff.
John P.