Thread: Honing Critique, Please...

Personally I guide the razor with both hands as well, however I place my thumb behind the spine to push the razor, rather than holding it down with a finger on top.I do rest my pinky and middle finger on top, but with no pressure. That is fine for me up til the last few finishing strokes, then it's one hand going as light as possible.
Using a couple smaller cotis I'm fine with hand holding the stone as well. But on the larger stones I do whatever feels right.

I tend to use both hands on a hone that is set on the table, especially on the lower grits.
I prefer a one hand approach when holding the hone in my hand and for the higher grits.

There are many ways to skin a cat

Yes, at the end of the honing cycle any pressure is too much. Lots of people hone with two hands though and seem to get good results. I'm only advocating for exceptional results.

Originally Posted by Birnando

There are many ways to skin a cat

But, still, one best method to herd them!

Nothing wrong with the two handed approach as long as the finger on the blade is simply keeping the blade flat. As has been said previously the hone goes in the hand for the finishing touches, this means no finger on the blade at all.

BTW Not only is Randydance a great mentor, his avatar is as well, I used to sit and watch it constantly a few years back, what a great learning tool!

Firstly, I'd like to say that the last bunch of posts on the finger have been really helpful, I really appreciate those comments. I do now understand how important that point is. When Blix spoke of the finishing strokes and the thumb, etc, it all finally came together. I think maybe I HAVE been using a little too much pressure, and get how removing the finger might ensure almost no pressure is used. I'm going to try that tonight on the W&B, which (I almost typed 'who' then, I think I have issues) wasn't up to the par of the first two I refreshed on the W/E. I'm worried that by using one hand the blade will rock from side to side on the hone; and I'll end up honing on the edge of the hone; not the top surface. I may also try the thumb idea, rather than the finger on top.

Also, I agree with the comment about Randydance's avatar, I think that's called subliminal learning

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I'm worried that by using one hand the blade will rock from side to side on the hone; and I'll end up honing on the edge of the hone; not the top surface.

Or you might not worry about it & just call it the rolling X stroke.
You can actually hone quite close to the edge without running over it but it will take some practice...

Honing with one hand is not something you will do correctly just because you understand it. It requires practice. It's more like painting than crochet.

Do NOT make any conclusions on it's value until you've tried it for a while, perhaps 4-6 years. :-)

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Honing with one hand is not something you will do correctly just because you understand it. It requires practice. It's more like painting than crochet.

Do NOT make any conclusions on it's value until you've tried it for a while, perhaps 4-6 years. :-)

I totally agree. When I began honing, the one handed approach was painstaking. The razor was going everywhere, this way and that....and that was with an X stroke. OMG, nevermind circles! Ha...it was brutal. Anyone who would have watched may have burried their head in their hands and cried. Two hands solved the steadiness problem, and I taught myself to use a feather light touch with my supporting hand. Then, I ran into some old junkers, and a couple of mine needed to be rehoned at the same time. I sat down and practiced one handed, over and over and over. X's, circles, you name it. Now I more comfortable with one hand than two, BUT....it really just increases the bag of tricks. Flipping accurately on a hone also required some practice.

Anyway, that's my two cents. I think it's best to have as many tricks as you can in your honing bag.

Having a junker to practice on sure helps, last Sunday I spent 3-4 hours over the day playing around with my cotis, both handheld, that's what Gold Dollars are for!

I feel my 27 years of playing guitar helps a lot too, I have pretty good coordination between my hands.
And it's all about finding a certain rhythm for all your moves, to make a razor sing.