Thread: Correlation of Knife Honing to Razor Honing

I've never had the opportunity to hone a really good custom made knife blade. I do hone most all of our good quality household knives but I'm not so sure its the same. Until quite recently, most of my sharpening experience was confined to workshop tools. I have always keep my shop and garden tools keen enough to cut efficiently but never invested much time trying to perfect my rudimentary tool sharpening skills. Over the last few months I've been learning how to hone and strop straight razors. Quite a different experience!

Most of my regular "shaving" razors were bought new or were at least, well maintained before I got them so I've never had to strike a new bevel or restore an old or badly neglected blade. When I started out, I did send one of my first razors to Lynn for honing so I would know what a properly honed blade should look and feel like. I bought a cheap 20X microscope so I could see what my honing and stropping were doing to the blade and I read. I read a lot and I practiced, in very slow steps. I have 6 good razors in my regular shaving rotation and all are very sharp and easily pass the shaving comfort test. Of course like everyone else, I have found that some razors simply provide a more comfortable shave than others but all-in-all, I haven't encountered a situation where I could not at least put and keep a good edge on a blade (including the Friodur SS). The biggest secret I've found about honing and stropping is the slow and steady approach. Marathon sessions at the honing stone just don't work for me. I try to obtain the best edge I can with the fewest strokes and least amount to pressure. I rarely hone one blade for more than 10-15 minutes at a sitting. If the blade requires more work after 15 minutes, I put it down and come back to it later. Honing a keen edge, particularly if you are not experienced, can not be rushed. Like a few of you have already mentioned I too, find the sharpening process very therapeutic and relaxing. I am quite sure that my prior experience with regular tool sharpening (even at the rudimentary level) helped with my learning experience. Certainly, there is a feel for the steel on stone that you develop over time that must translate to all sharpening applications but I can not put a measure on it.

The next stage of razor sharpening for me is some light to moderate restoration work. I have a few older razors that require some maintenance work. One of the blades in particular is quite badly chipped and scored but I'm sure I will learn a lot even if the blade is not salvageable as a regular shaver. I bought Bill's "excellent" restoration CD and armed with my trusty dremel and Vlad's handy-dandy PSA pack, I am ready to begin....again! Its reassuring to know there are so people on this forum with good advice and information readily available. I'm sure I will be coming to the table with more questions and at least a few sad tales of broken or burnt blades. Its the continuous learning that makes this hobby of ours so much fun. Frustrating at times .....but always fun. Best regards,