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I've been using 'half' of the x-pattern, which I'll describe.
First, I'm left-handed, so I hold the scales in my left hand. I stroke toward me moving the blade right to left (heel to toe). I then roll the balde over and stroke away from me, but I simply go back from left to right(toe to heel). This way I don't have to pick up the blade to move it back to the heel before starting the return stroke.
Any I getting the same results as a x-pattern?
Tom
Hey Tom,
I've been doing the very thing for about six months and can see no difference in outcome between the half X and full X technique.
The half X is much easier for a klutz like me to do.
regards &c
LG Roy
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.