Thread: Circular motion honing

An old-school ex-barber told me that he used to hone his straights in a circular motion on [oil] stones.

I was wondering what people's opinions were about this around here.

We're talking honing in an anti-clockwise direction where the scales are on the right hand side and in a clockwise direction where the scales are on the left hand side. That way, the edge is coming in a "downward" movement on the stone. (Hope that makes sense!)

I've tried it on two of my razors and I am yet undecided as to whether it works or not. Any ideas?

It's great for fast material removal in the early stages, & i feel it can help reduce overhoning. I use it, & i think many of us do. I also do back & forth strokes for the same reason. Keep note of how many you do though, & match it on both sides, or you'll end up with an uneven bevel. Ensure you cover the entire length of the blade, for the same reason.
Before I move to another hone, I always finish off by doing standard laps though, & in the later stages, don't use it.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Keep note of how many you do though, & match it on both sides, or you'll end up with an uneven bevel.

Oh

I knew something didn't feel 100% with these razors. Might just be that the bevel is indeed uneven.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Ensure you cover the entire length of the blade, for the same reason.

Yeah, I think this is another problem that I might have. I tried this method out on a couple of very small Belgian cotticules. Not good when the razor is approx. two or three times their length.

Some excellent advice though - thanks!

I think it has many good purposes, but attaining the ultimate in sharpness isn't one of them.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think it has many good purposes, but attaining the ultimate in sharpness isn't one of them.

I agree with that, & that's why I resort to standard laps. It's quick, but clumsy in comparison.

As Lynn showed in his videos, bevel setting with circular motion is a good way to go. This also avoids developing a smile on the blade.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

It's great for fast material removal in the early stages, & i feel it can help reduce overhoning. I use it, & i think many of us do. I also do back & forth strokes for the same reason. Keep note of how many you do though, & match it on both sides, or you'll end up with an uneven bevel. Ensure you cover the entire length of the blade, for the same reason.
Before I move to another hone, I always finish off by doing standard laps though, & in the later stages, don't use it.

+1 on what Ben said. For setting a bevel the circles (really ovals) and back and forth strokes then X strokes are my routine.

I only use a circular motion in the low grits when I have to do repair to an edge. otherwise its X strokes for me.

As others have said, it's good for removing material in the case of repairing nicks or similar damage. For sharpening the edge, it ain't so good.

If you have tried this and are undecided, my guess is you used a high grit. This is probably hard/fine enough not to roll the edge (not enough material being displaced to notice). My thoughts are if you tried this say, on 4k or 8k, you would get different results because of the edge being rolled.

My use of circles is documented here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/511701-post11.html