I have been reading a lot and a watching a lot of video footage of honing. To start with, the wife bought me a brand new dovo blade for christmas. Pre-honed (supposedly). It has never passed the hanging hair test and had an ok shave... I realize I am still learning. Anyway, trying to hone it on the norton 4000/8000 3 inch stone. But I have a few questions. I see some people using an x pattern and some using a straight pattern (especially on the 3" stone). is there a reason for this?

Lastly, i notice recently my heel and toe do not sit flat on the stone. with the handle to the right and on a down stroke (coming towards me) the tow is off the stone. (straight strokes). If i put the toe flat then the heel raises off the stone. On the up stroke, with the handle to the right, the heel is up. I got a good bevel on my down stroke, but that was after putting decent pressure on the toe.... i just cannot get that up stroke and I do not like the pressure I have to use. I am starting to get a frown look on one side of the blade.


For the moment I am thinking of taking it to Excalibur knife shop and have them hone it to shave ready for me, but I do want to learn this (without permanently damaging my blade)

thanks

lt