Thread: How to keep razor flat on hone?

I've tried honing a few of my razors. I've tried laying all 10 or so of them on the hone and none of them lay flat. I really don't think that this is an issue with them being warped since it's always the exact same amount of the toe that's staying lifted up. This even happens on my NOS wapis.
The only way I can get the razor to lay flat is by putting a lot more pressure than I think I should be using, especially when finishing the blade. I've noticed that because of this slightly lifted toe, the bevel near the toe is often thinner than the bevel near the heel when I look at it under a microscope.
My hones are lapped flat too, so I don't think that's the issue.

I hold the blade mostly with my index and thumb on the parts of the tang where many razors have jimps (so the part of the tang that leads to the spine and edge as opposed to the part where there is writing). I gently rest my other fingers on the razor (middle is on tang and scales, rest are on scales).
Any tips? I don't get why this is happening.

I do a marker test, putting waterproof black marker on the edge, and seeing if a couple of round trips removes it. If not removed with a normal stroke a heel leading 45 degree angle or a rolling x .... or a modified rolling x . Whatever keeps the edge on the hone while the spine parallel to it also remains on the hone. The marker tells me what works.

Out of curiosity, where are you placing the razors to determine their flatness? Is it across a wide hone, or are you doing it lengthwise, or... ?

Very few razors will be truly flat acroos the hone. A marker test is essential to disovering how the edge is lying on the stone. Once this is done, you will have a good idea of what stroke movements are necessary for the razor.

Originally Posted by northpaw

Out of curiosity, where are you placing the razors to determine their flatness? Is it across a wide hone, or are you doing it lengthwise, or... ?

I've placed them on a 6x2 coticule, 10x1.5 escher and 8x3 naniwa lenght and widthwise. I have to really press down to make the razors lie flat.

So after I do the marker test, could you guys direct me to any resource for info on what honing techniques to apply? Like what rolling x is etc...Thanks

The rolling X is an X pattern stroke where you start with the razor rocked so that the heal makes contact with the hone and then roll the razor across the length of it's edge so that when you end your stroke, the toe is in contact with the hone. You need to slowly lift the scales of the razor while maintaining even, light pressure during your stroke to do this. It takes some practice to get it down, because you need to maintain light pressure, try to have each "section" of the edge in contact with the hone for the same amount of time, and keep the spine and edge on the hone. But, once you can do this stroke, you should be able to hone just about any razor.

Originally Posted by heirkb

I've placed them on a 6x2 coticule, 10x1.5 escher and 8x3 naniwa lenght and widthwise. I have to really press down to make the razors lie flat.

So after I do the marker test, could you guys direct me to any resource for info on what honing techniques to apply? Like what rolling x is etc...Thanks

Well you've certainly got some good hones. Here is the SRP Wiki honing section with tutorials on the rolling x and other valuable info. Check it out.

You may want to consider a narrow hone, just a suggestion.
I find it works well with slightly warped spines also - 1 1/2" wide.

In my opinion, when learning to do a rolling X, a narrow hone is like training wheels. It forces you to roll in order to keep the razor on the hone at all. But it's not actually any easier to do a rolling X on a narrrow hone than it is on a wider one. For warps, it is indeed better.

Thank you for all the great tips everyone! It's back to the hones for me.