Thread: Point me in the right direction...

Circular honing:




Actually, I hone my razors both X patter style, using one hand, and straight push-angled blade style using both hands. I found that X pattern does wonderfull job on warped and bowed blades, and the straight push is good for those blades with straight line spines (and edges). Since honing is highly personal expirience, and one must develop personal feel for the razor and hone, I think it is best to try and practice all honing styles, and discover what works best for given razor and situation.

Nenad

Well said Nenad. Love the picture. I actually do the circular stroke with the hone perpendicular to the razors. The hone faces north and south and the razors east and west. Take care and thanks for the picture. Lynn

Originally Posted by adjustme69

I have even seen one so called expert say that all he does is sharpen with circles as the X patter wears the heal of his razors down without realizing the problem is him putting pressure on the heal to start with. We also have the debate regarding X pattern vs. dragging a razor down the hone completely straight. We are looking at magnification at 200 power and compraring to manufactured blades. All this is good discussion as honing is absolutely not total science and there can be as much variation as there are in razors. The thing that I have seen the least talked about is the results demonstrated in the actual shave. I would be interested in discussing with anyone who has honed at least 1000 razors, how much experimentation they have done and what has worked best overall......lol. Lynn

I haven't really seen anyone profess to be an expert. I have seen a lot of discussion by those of us who are curious and learning about some very fundamental issues. We haven't really gotten a lot of answers to these, have we?

If you ever hear from the 1000 razor man who has experimented, I'd like to know what he has to say. it seems to me that those people haven't done a lot of experimenting all these years or we would know something about it, or they could at least answer our questions.

The influx of new, curious and interested people is probably a good sign for this art. The veterans have their techniques grooved and may not be as motivated to experiment. I would love to see the experimenters report back here and it would be great if they could receive the feedback and encouragement of the veterans.

I just got an Ebay razor that I'm going to try to restore entirely with circular honing. We have some people trying linear honing. None of this is anywhere near ready for shaving. Before I did that I would want to understand what the edge looks like. I'm not keen on sacraficing my skin. You said yourself that shaving is the final test.

In short, I'm thrilled to see so many people interested in the science of honing, even if they're not experts. I hope they will all keep at it and report back here. They would be performing a new and valuable service for our community.

It would also make this site the repository for answers that can't be found anywhere else.

I would be interested in discussing with anyone who has honed at least 1000 razors

I'm working on my first project razor, and it FEELS like I've honed 1000! And already I have an expert opinion...which is...I've got a hell of a lot to learn!

RT

Thanx Lynn, my pleasure as allways. One thing I'd like to add... When practicing honing, or just starting with this hobby, it is important that one does not quit after couple of unsucesfull sessions. Hand dexterity and muscle memory takes time to develop. It is best to get practice razor and keep honing various styles, and the feel for the steel and how much of it is removed will develop in time...

Nenad