Consistency in honing - a 5k story

One of the things I strive for is consistency in my honing - even pressure, even strokes, even edges, etc. This evening I was honing, and my mind was wandering a bit (honing time is often think time for me), and I was staring at my watch. I usually take my watch off when I'm honing, but tonight I didn't. I was watching the second hand tick away and running razors up through my Naniwa 5k, and I noticed a pattern.

On the Naniwa 5k, when I'm using a rocking circle, I do 3 sets of 10 rocks per side (varying pressure) and then 10 X's. Each set of 10 rocks takes 15 seconds per side - 30 seconds total. The set of 10 X's takes 15 seconds. Drying off the blade and putting some fresh water on the hone takes 15 more seconds. The result is an even 2 minutes per blade.

I just went through with 8 different blades, and the time was the same every time, within a few seconds. I don't really care how long it takes me to hone - I'd rather do it right - but I thought it was pretty cool that my times were so consistent.

I know what you mean about "think time", its very relaxing to hone.

I've not timed anything though, I'd be interested to see if I'm anywhere near as consistent as you Dylan. I dont think I would be!

And TBH though, I'd have things like "Get cat off table", "Stop cat from drinking the water for the hones", "stop cat from playing with razor/hone/loupe/tape/scissors..." :D

If I had a cat, I'd have to have all my "work" areas behind closed doors, because there are razors EVERYWHERE

For some reason my cat doesn't bother my stuff. Razors, shaving brushes or tobacco pipes. If it is on the floor it is his territory but on a table, counter, desk or what have you he doesn't go there.

I've never timed my honing. I go with the bevel until I have any anomaly removed from the edge and a good TNT. Carry on with the bevel set until I feel a good TPT and shave arm/leg hair. Leg more often than arm. :) From there on out it is honing until more TPT and hair tests get me to where I think I need to be. Some are done more quickly than others.

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Originally Posted by Stubear

I know what you mean about "think time", its very relaxing to hone.

I've not timed anything though, I'd be interested to see if I'm anywhere near as consistent as you Dylan. I dont think I would be!

And TBH though, I'd have things like "Get cat off table", "Stop cat from drinking the water for the hones", "stop cat from playing with razor/hone/loupe/tape/scissors..." :D

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LOL - sounds like you need to find a way to get your cat to do some of the work if it is that motivated.

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Originally Posted by Stubear

...And TBH though, I'd have things like "Get cat off table", "Stop cat from drinking the water for the hones", "stop cat from playing with razor/hone/loupe/tape/scissors..." :D

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:rofl2: I have to close the bathroom door if I do anything with razors...I don't trust my cat with them! I remember one time all I had in the bathroom was a little plastic tub filled with water and my nortons soaking in it. My cat kept trying to drink the water (don't trust the water...probably scummy and has stone residue and such in it...), I have no idea what his fascination was, but I had to carry him out of the room and close the door.

p.s. Sorry for the :HJ !

holly4pirating,

I did a research paper in college on Stradivarius. I wanted to understand what made him such a prolific violin maker.

What became clear is that there were many violin makers from Cremona, Germany and other parts of Europe that were on par with Stradivarius. The difference was the shear number of great instruments he made. His technique was extremely consistent from carving to gluing to clamping to finishing. His marginal instruments don't even show up because of the volume of consistently good instruments.

I think that is what is on the table for you and honing. Your consistent methods produce repeatable results. If you want to change any aspect of your honing, you can easily see its effect because the rest of your method stays constant.

I really appreciate your taking the time to measure this.

David

Interesting insight and parallel, David.

I think you are right on. This is part of the reason I try to maintain as much "control" over my hone "tests" and always use whole batches of razors when doing so.

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Originally Posted by Alembic

LOL - sounds like you need to find a way to get your cat to do some of the work if it is that motivated.

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Haha! I get it in stereo as well because I've got two of them! :D