Thread: How do you stabilize your hone?

I just use a leftover piece of silicone matting that I used to line the cupboard shelves.

I use a mouse pad.

That waffle shelf liner that Lynn uses in his DVD. I fold a paper towel under it to catch the water. No skid at all. with nortons and shapton pros I hone with them sitting on the bases that are built into the plastic cases that house them when not in use.

Lately I've gotten used to holding my hones in my hand, especially useful when using my coticule, which has a sloped surface. I've tried honing at my kitchen table numerous times and just didn't like the "feeling"; either the table is too high or the chairs sit too low (or perhaps both), I just couldn't seem to get comfortable enough to produce a nice even stroke. It just seems easier when honing in my hand.

I also hold the hone in my hand when I hone. I find that this allows me to get the best angle between the razor and the hone. Without even thinking about it, sometimes I find it easier to change the angle of the hone rather than the razor.

FWIW --

I use a non-skid rubber mat sold for lining kitchen drawers -- much like your "Hot Mat", but cheaper.

The Norton 4K/8K stone comes with a neat plastic case, with soft rubber feet. That hasn't slid on my counter -- yet.

Charles

Kees,

I used to use a rubber friction mat, but now hand-hold all my hones.

I seem to get better results from hand-holding the hone (seem to get more feedback of the pressure on the blade).

Have fun !

regards

Russ

I try to keep all my razor hones palm sized and hold them. My one bench hone, Nakayama asagi, is big and heavy enough to not worry about

I use the holder from Woodcraft. I then use a cookie sheet with a skid mat inside and on the table to prevent it from sliding. The cookie sheet holds in all the water so I don't have to worry about a bunch of wet cloths.

Thanks Dylan for recommending the cookie sheet.

I hold my hones in my hand. Prior to that I used the stone holder from Woodcraft.