Thread: X-patterns using Unicot questions

The unicot method says to start by performing diagonal back and forth strokes on one side only. Then switch to the other side.

Does this mean you’re supposed to do a diagonal stroke and then pull it back, as in making an edge-trailing stroke? And if you don’t flip the razor in between, how do you keep the slurry on the stone? I’ve seen a few videos and it did not look like they were doing this, but rather flipping after each half stroke. Doing that makes it easy to keep the slurry on the stone.

What am I missing?

Yeah, it is back and forth and in effect the back is an edge trailing stroke. Do it but don't use much pressure and the slurry will more of less stay for ten back and forths. When you get done with the one side move the water/slurry with the spine and begin on the other side. I don't use them as much as I used to. Now I rely more on circles and just go to x strokes but the back and forth can serve the purpose.

I find with the back and forth stroke, most of the slurry ends up at the two ends of the hone. But there is still some in the middle for the honing stroke. I think the use of the back and forth is mostly a time saver thing, because doing heavy work on a coticule requires a much higher stroke count than one would use if utilizing a 1k, 4k, 8k, finisher type progression.

The way I do it, there's not a lot of pressure on the back stroke.
As stated these half strokes as they are known, save time getting to the final finishing stages.
Personaly I have used my le veiniette coticule with heavy creamy slurry and would compare the speed to a 1K stone, I've only done this a few times when I can't be bothered to unpack the chosera 1K for heavy bevel work.

Joe

The way you described the unicot is pretty much all there is to it. If you need more help you'll need to experiment with slurry density, strokes, etc.

I haven't taken out a 1k stone in four months...

McNutt,

IIRC you can use the 'pig-tail' stroke to re-spread the slurry.

You can see being demonstrated here by Mr Finnegan :

Razor Sharpening - YouTube