Thread: X PATTERN OR STRAIGHT PATTERN

Wow...

Here lets simplify this OK???

If you just watch that little ripple of water at the edge move down the hone all the mysteries of what stroke to use will be solved on every hone and every razor...

I am not even going to go into using multiple patterns and angled strokes in this thread....That is way more advanced

Have always used X was thinking of but haven't used straight so can't say!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Wow...

Here lets simplify this OK???

If you just watch that little ripple of water at the edge move down the hone all the mysteries of what stroke to use will be solved on every hone and every razor...

I am not even going to go into using multiple patterns and angled strokes in this thread....That is way more advanced

I'm reminded of a conversation that we had in chat about essentially all types of strokes are both better and worse than the others depending on the type of razor. The key is knowing when to use the "right" stroke for each particular razor... "see how fast we started a discussion"...

Originally Posted by tavli

I have hones which are all 3 inches. With a 3 inch hone is there any need or any advantage in using an X pattern? or can I simply hone straight up and down the hone as it is larger than the blade?

Use a marker on both the edge and spine of each razor and see if
the full blade is getting honed equally/ correctly. To some degree the razor
decides the stroke not the hone at least there is a 50/50.

The X pattern makes it easier to hone the entire blade and if you are
using naturals it averages out some of the variability that might exist.

The X does not need to be a full X just enough to get the tip, heel
and middle of the blade honed correctly. If the heel leaves the hone
almost instantly on your X the tip versus heel honing might be unbalanced.
With a long narrow stone the X seems to balance the edge

When shaving I do not tend to use the heel very much. My ears get in
the way.... Perhaps a lightly honed heel is as ideal for others as it is for me.

I have always preferred the results using an X stroke with all my honing. I feel the razor simply cuts better.as a result of the X stroke. I have tried both over the years and always come back to the X stroke. Just a personal opinion and preference I guess.

Lynn

Do you notice a difference between razors that you used X pattern throughout the process with and ones where you only Used the X pattern on the final polish?

Originally Posted by IanS

Do you notice any pattern to the uneven honing you're getting from straight passes? Are frowns forming, uneven bevel depths, etc?

Not sure who you're asking, but I use straight skrokes to correct the mentioned issues on vintage razors, and have not caused these issues on new razors when using straight strokes. Frowns and uneven hone wear are as, if not more, likely to develop from poor technique (i.e. uneven pressure) as from hone relaated problems (i.e. non-flat hone).

Sorry, I was asking ben.mid since he said he had problems with straight passes.

I have the same experience as you. Straight passes are the most useful for correcting many of the problems I encounter, are the fastest to execute, and I have not noticed any problems raised in my experience thus far using them.

Back when i did use hones straight up & down I used that method on a Dovo. The grind had a slight warp that i hadn't noticed. One side developed a larger bevel at the toe & heel, the other in the centre.
If you've got a perfect blade, it'll work fine, but most blades, even new ones, are not quite perfect. You do develop habits, & after that, the X became one of mine.