Thread: How do you hone?

I do the hard work using circles, but always one handed, whilst the other holds the hone. After that, always an X.
When I started out I used two hands. It was easier to maintain contact, but I have seen my honing improve dramatically since I stopped.

There's really all kinds of ways to do it and depending on what your trying to accomplish and the razor and the hone you are using they can all be correct. In general for most honing we recommend one hand and an X pattern. As has been said for most folks using two hands can lead to uneven bevels.

going straight down the hone works only for razors with absolutely straight edge, no smile whatsoever by design or from honing (that's straightforward geometry). practically all vintage razors have a slight curvature by design, so that wouldn't work on them, unless they're seriously 'messed up'.

Originally Posted by gugi

going straight down the hone works only for razors with absolutely straight edge, no smile whatsoever by design or from honing (that's straightforward geometry). practically all vintage razors have a slight curvature by design, so that wouldn't work on them, unless they're seriously 'messed up'.

I've caught myself from buying a few of those

Once I got that scything X down my vitage blades hone up soo much faster

Goc,

I always hold the stone in my hand, for both X-patterns and straight up and down laps; this prevents me from applying too much pressure when honing.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

When setting bevels on the 1K level I am a big fan of using small circles (one handed) while moving down the length of the hone. It just helps set the bevel faster, imo, and you get the whole edge that way.

I use the X stroke other wise and I usually lead with the heal of the razor while doing so. It really depends on the condition of the razor, the strokes I feel comfortable using, etc. I also use a rolling X stroke so I am assure I am hitting the toe and heal of the razor while checking under magnification.

I've seen people use both hands to make sure the edge is completely flat on the hone but I don't do it myself, YMMY.

I just read through this and realized just how confusing all the different answers are to a new guy...

Here is the true trick to honing, The edge the spine and the stone all have to meet at the same time, and in the same line, for the razor to get sharp... This has to happen it an even, equal, and most importantly repeatable fashion 100's of time during the honing process...

You have to be able to have control of the blade edge at all times as you hone...The worst thing you can manage to do, is spend a good hour, setting the bevel, sharpening, and polishing, only to get tired and slide that thing off the edge of the stone at the finishing stage and get to start over again...