Thread: Something other than the X pattern?

Your not getting the same scratch pattern. But... if your satisfied with the results then continue with your method.

The various honing patterns are all about the scratch pattern you produce.

The x-pattern and heel leading straight strokes produce the same pattern- slanting toward the spine and toe. This produces microserrations or teeth that look like a saw tooth with a steep leading edge and a a shallow trailing edge. I consider the leading edge to be on the toe side of a tooth. Teeth shaped like this have a shearing action if you shave with a straight pesh or toe leading, so it cuts a little better.

Other honing patterns produces teeth with a shallower rise. If you shave with toe leading, the leading edge of a tooth pushes straight into the whiskers, instead of shearing across them.

You may not notice the shaving differences produced by the x-patter, so it may not matter or you.