Thread: Is honing mentally tiring?

Yes, when learning, I found honing to be absolutely mentally draining, and frustrating. I thought, "How could I be focusing this intently on something, and not getting results?"

Then, I got my first razor shaving sharp, and it was on. My next goal was "How sharp can I get this thing, really?" Once I passed the mental "sound barrier" of knowing I could do it once, I knew I could do it again.

I was a happy camper for a while, getting razors sharper and sharper, then ego started to intrude. If I got stuck, I was beside myself.

Now, I have simply accepted that I go in cycles, and let it go. I hone all the time, because I love it and it relaxes me. It's completely addicting. When I'm in a down cycle, nothing is sharp enough. But when I'm on, I can run through finishing 3 or 4 razors in 30 minutes to a level a sharpness that I'm very, very happy with. I will likely never be a honemeister, because of my inconsistency in my feel for the steel. But I enjoy it every time.

Smiling razors are the hardest for me, but the easiest for me to get into a trace state with. Watching the water roll along the length of the edge as I hone, back and forth. No change, no change, no change, then WHAM! Stupid sharp! I love that surprise, every time. Yep.

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

Yes, when learning, I found honing to be absolutely mentally draining, and frustrating. I thought, "How could I be focusing this intently on something, and not getting results?"

Then, I got my first razor shaving sharp, and it was on. My next goal was "How sharp can I get this thing, really?" Once I passed the mental "sound barrier" of knowing I could do it once, I knew I could do it again.

I was a happy camper for a while, getting razors sharper and sharper, then ego started to intrude. If I got stuck, I was beside myself.

Now, I have simply accepted that I go in cycles, and let it go. I hone all the time, because I love it and it relaxes me. It's completely addicting. When I'm in a down cycle, nothing is sharp enough. But when I'm on, I can run through finishing 3 or 4 razors in 30 minutes to a level a sharpness that I'm very, very happy with. I will likely never be a honemeister, because of my inconsistency in my feel for the steel. But I enjoy it every time.

Smiling razors are the hardest for me, but the easiest for me to get into a trace state with. Watching the water roll along the length of the edge as I hone, back and forth. No change, no change, no change, then WHAM! Stupid sharp! I love that surprise, every time. Yep.

This is EXACTLY what I'm going through. I had a batch that went fabulously a little while ago. Then a razor came along that God put on this Earth just to keep me humble. I'm in a slump right now. Nothing seems to be clicking. I've decided I need to take a break for at least a week.

Goog

Originally Posted by MARKHOLLADAY

That is why I switched to a "shavette "

Are those easy to hone?

Goog

I find it to be very relaxing. So much so that tends to make me sleepy.

I have been working a relatively stressful job for the past 19 years. I didn't get weekends off and taking any sort of vacation required 3-4 weeks of shutting things down and another few weeks to get things going again. I worked long hours and often have really looked forward to getting home late at night to sit at a table and hone. I find it to be incredibly relaxing. I don't know it it's because I was autistic when I was a kid but I find the repetitive motions of honing to be extremely calming.

My lab is in the process of being shut down and the moving trucks are coming on Monday. The only thing I am looking forward to at this point is the opportunity to have more time for restoring and honing several hundred razors that have been sitting around waiting for some free time.

Aside from the pathetic venting, my point is as others have stated. Once you have established the basic muscle memory, honing transitions from being stressful to being extremely relaxing. Your first few times riding a bike were probably terrifying, but once you rewired a few neural pathways and got the hang of it, bike riding became second nature. Honing is the same way. It just takes practice, persistence, and patience.