Thread: Honing with one or two hands

One hand x pattern 98% of the time. Occasionally I might put my forefinger of my opposite hand on the point end very lightly for a few round trips. Always an x pattern and never straight down the hone unless I'm doing 10 or so back and forth strokes in bevel setting.

1 hand X.

I think this should be a public poll so people can see who is voting how. I'm for a frame of reference for most things (especially non-scientific polls)

Those poll options are very very restrictive. I typically hone with one hand doing rolling circles and rolling x's, but I mix things up when it helps. IE when I'm doing a lot of metal removal to set a bevel, I typically use two hands.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

1 hand X.

I think this should be a public poll so people can see who is voting how. I'm for a frame of reference for most things (especially non-scientific polls)

Not a bad idea. I was thinking there should have been an "other" option in the choices with "please explain" behind it. Seems that most are describing their honing mode anyhow but it would have been more precise, I think, with the added option.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Those poll options are very very restrictive. I typically hone with one hand doing rolling circles and rolling x's, but I mix things up when it helps. IE when I'm doing a lot of metal removal to set a bevel, I typically use two hands.

Agreed, everyone has a slightly different style, and to limit that to two options is, well, limiting. On the two hand thing, that is what Glen told me I should do when I was having problems getting my bevel set and it helped me out a ton. Other than during a bevel set/re-set, it's with one hand for me.

Great point about adding additional options!

I actually use half-strokes quite a bit, but since they still result in an X, I didn't bother mentioning it. It's actually quite rare that I use 2 hands, HOWEVAH... I do use the added pressure of a finger from the hand I'm holding the razor on the spine (to the same effect, essentially)...

So, like you guys pointed out, I agree this is really too restrictive

I've always thought the Z modified W stroke was the cat's knees. Do bees wear PJs?

I tried honing with one hand and I could not control the blade, so I used my left index finger as a guide with no pressure at all with this finger. The x pattern works for me, I make sure all of the edge makes contact with the stone from heel to point. So far I had good results in shaving. Juan

One hand for me.

Two hands, x-stroke. As others have said, I just use one finger with no pressure on the 'extra' hand (on the razors toe) to get full contact on the hone. Works for me...