Honing - Toe & Heel Issues

Pretty new to honing razors anyway...having read a few threads on the topic, I am trying to refine the art/craft by practicing on a few ebay razors I have and am willing to sacrifice if necessary...Last night I picked up one that was in pretty good shape and set to work at trying to set a bevel. I noted that the toe was slightly diminshed toward the spine than the rest of the blade and that as I developed a pretty good bevel on 90% on the blade, of course, the new bevel lessened toward the toe, which, make sense as the toe slightly curves to the spine, whereas the X-stroke I'm trying to master is a straight-diagonal. While I'm at it, I have observed other razor that will have the same issue at the heel, (slight curve to the spine).

Would appreciate any advice on a method, stroke, or pressure variation to address these similar but opposite end of the blade issues.

Thanks in advance to anyone's time in reply

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Originally Posted by hardblues

Pretty new to honing razors anyway...having read a few threads on the topic, I am trying to refine the art/craft by practicing on a few ebay razors I have and am willing to sacrifice if necessary...Last night I picked up one that was in pretty good shape and set to work at trying to set a bevel. I noted that the toe was slightly diminshed toward the spine than the rest of the blade and that as I developed a pretty good bevel on 90% on the blade, of course, the new bevel lessened toward the toe, which, make sense as the toe slightly curves to the spine, whereas the X-stroke I'm trying to master is a straight-diagonal. While I'm at it, I have observed other razor that will have the same issue at the heel, (slight curve to the spine).

Would appreciate any advice on a method, stroke, or pressure variation to address these similar but opposite end of the blade issues.

Thanks in advance to anyone's time in reply

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You might get more replies if you delete this thread and repost it in the regular Honing forum. Advanced is more for crazy and wacky discussions usually ;)

Without pictures, I can only assume you are talking about a razor with a smile, in which case you will need to use a rolling x-stroke. This can take some time to get a good feel for, but practice makes perfect!

There is a good section in the Wiki about honing strokes that will tell you how to do the rolling x-stroke, and I believe there are some nice animations there as well.

Two ways to proceed

You will hear of a stroke called a Rocking or Rolling X in fact there is a demonstration of it in the Wiki under honing and quite a few more honing strokes too...

Pro's Works really well
Con's Hard to master as you will want to lift the spine, resulting in an uneven or wavy bevel..

The second way is the 45 plus degree heel forward diagonal stroke...
This is exactly what it sounds like place the razor on the hone move the heel forward until you are at a 45 degree angle or a touch more and hone... You can shrift the pressure to even out the bevel as you go...

Pro's Very easy to learn, results in a nice even bevel when mastered

Con's None that I can think of


Moved to honing

Thank you both for your advice...I'll check/try it out tonight...appreciate it

For those who may wander by this thread...pleased to report that I took the advice offered by Rob & Glen & after checking the tutorials @ WIKI, applied the 45-degree stroke suggested by Glen. Mind you this is my first complete attempt at honing from bevel to finish...after completion (1000K, 4/8k, 1200K, CroOx on a web strop, then plain leather...I tested by shaving. As this was my first, i expected to be sorely disappointed, but, had a very good and comfortable shave...will admit, that I was extremely careful as I didn't want to screw up and have to repeat...but...their advice served me very well and I'm very pleased with the results both on an edge with an issue (diminished toe) and a successful 1st attempt...credit & thanks to you guys!

Scott