Thread: Backhoning on finisher?

The recent discussion(s) about finishing on a BBW got me thinking....

What are your experiences backhoning (spine leading or "stropping" stroke) as a final strategy on a finishing hone? It seems to me that it might coax a little extra out of an edge, but logic and the real world are often strangers....

I really don't want to open up the whole BBW as a finishing hone debate, so let's not go there. Just want to know if you've used this on any finisher and, if so, what did you discover?

pcb01,

I always do 5 back-hones passes at the start on the finishing stone, but have never used them at the end, so I too would be interested in the feeback to your question

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I have used circles, which contains an element of back honing, as well as spine leading x patterns with high grit finishers. With a Shapton 30K it seems to increase the window in terms of the number of strokes that the blade will tolerate before you start to lose the edge. I don't think it gets you a superior edge than you can get with a standard edge leading stroke, but it makes the stone a bit more user friendly IMO.

The caveat is that I only maintain my own razors so my data sampling is pretty small. Lynn or one of the other high volume guys could certainly come to more credible conclusions.

I have been using the 3 edge leading 2 spine leading 1 edge leading finish on the 30k Shapton since shortly after the 2009 NC Razorcon...

It seems to work rather well IME and the other people that have PM or E-mailed me about it...

Other than that hone I haven't really experimented with it on other stones/hones

Originally Posted by gssixgun

...Other than that hone I haven't really experimented with it on other stones/hones

Well, that might be a neat experiment if you ever get oh, say, seven identical razors to try it on.

Good question regarding back honing, all my strokes contain a slight back hone motion to help seat blade edge and pull slurry water mix out from behind blade and out in front of edge.

This is how I do it. I have observed several different honemeisters over the last year, and this particular stroke is unique. It is difficult to learn but very effective. With practice it becomes a fluid motion.

When I place the razor on the stone, pull the blade back slightly approx 1". This helps to assure the blade is making even contact with the stone and pulls water/mix out in front of edge before you make your pass. At the end of your stroke, flip blade, pull back approx 1" and begin stroke. I hope this makes sense, you really need to see how it is done to get a better understanding. This stroke is extremely effective. Good luck and have fun.
Mike

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I have been using the 3 edge leading 2 spine leading 1 edge leading finish on the 30k Shapton since shortly after the 2009 NC Razorcon...

It seems to work rather well IME and the other people that have PM or E-mailed me about it...

Other than that hone I haven't really experimented with it on other stones/hones

I tried this on an Asagi too, Glen, and it works very nicely.

Originally Posted by Disburden

I tried this on an Asagi too, Glen, and it works very nicely.

Seems like some of the Guys at SMF are trying the 3-2-1 on a ton of different finishers and getting good response