Thread: Easy Hone, Hard Hone?

In conversations about honing here I periodically hear that some razors, typically Sheffields, are "easier" to hone--apparently requiring less time. Others one hears are a bit more work, I've heard TI's and Fillies, as well as Geneva Cutlery razors. Not putting the razors down at all, just noting that they hone differently.

So…I think it would help at least the beginners out here to have an idea what the continuum might be from "easiest honing" up to those razors that require a more experienced, patient, or otherwise more demanding honist.

Then again maybe I'm just making up a problem because I just like talking to you guys!

IMHO it is subjective what is easy and what is hard to hone.
Factors I think affect the speed would be what the bevel setting process is, what stones how much pressure , the condition of the bevel , the temper of the steel etc.

I do not think honing can be standardized 100%, and IMHO that is part of the fun .

The older sheffields are of a softer steel IMO(lack of technology) which makes the steel easier to grind away, on the other hand the grinding can be crudely done(also lack of modern technology/tooling), which can add some challenges.

Honestly it takes me about 15 minutes to hone any razor, regardless of any variables,, Steel, Manufacturer, Grind, Hones, etc: etc:....

ONCE THE BEVEL IS SET !!!!!

That bevel set, can take minutes or hours you never really know until you get into the razor...

Honing a razor really does come down to three things, the Bevel, usually the Bevel, and sometimes the Bevel

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Honestly (1) it takes me about 15 minutes to hone any razor, regardless of any variables,, Steel, Manufacturer, Grind, Hones, etc: etc:....

ONCE THE BEVEL IS SET !!!!!

That bevel set, can take minutes or hours you never really know until you get into the razor...

Honing a razor really does (2) come down to three things, the Bevel, usually the Bevel, and sometimes the Bevel

Hi Glen,

(1) That's because you have done 1000s of razors. Your 15 minutes can easily be my 1.5-2 hrs (and 10-13 blades under my belt...wooo hooo )

(2) are you trying to say that the bevel is important ?

Originally Posted by mainaman

IMHO it is subjective what is easy and what is hard to hone.
Factors I think affect the speed would be what the bevel setting process is, what stones how much pressure , the condition of the bevel , the temper of the steel etc.

I do not think honing can be standardized 100%, and IMHO that is part of the fun .

+1, that is the way I see it too. Each razor/hone may be similar or different. Case by case. Glen has a point too, without the correct bevel set your shoveling you know what against the tide.

Even an inexperience honer should not be spending much time honing after the bevel is set. Most of the time is wasted honing a razor that does not have the bevel set.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

...without the correct bevel set your shoveling you know what against the tide.

What if you don't know what?