Thread: Honing Critique, Please...

Hi, I wonder if someone would be able to critique my honing technique in this video? Sorry for the poor quality, it's just a digital camera. I just want to know if I'm on the right track in simply refreshing the edge. I'm doing 20 on the 8k, and then 10 on the Shapton 16k with just a tiny bit of slurry and then 10 on the Shapton with no slurry, very light.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9040380@N08/6176374351/

Edit, I can't work how to get the video directly in the post....

I can't comment on pressure used only mechanics.
I personally do the x-stroke heel on the stone and moving out, so opposite to your motion. I am not sure it makes difference in which direction the x stroke is executed, but for me the other way is more natural. Finger supporting the spine above the toe is fine as long as you do not apply pressure and just use it as a guide.

What Mainaman said.

Most honing strokes for razor put heel in the lead and opposite of what you are doing by moving into the hone vs moving off.

How is the shave? If you are getting a good shave that means you are honing good but it could be considered "unorthadox" as you are setting teeth in opposite direction by going into hone that way.

I do as has been said, heel first while doing x strokes.

Oh, great, trust me to be unorthodox! :-)

I didn't even know I was doing it the wrong way. I'll do the W&B now and see if i can teach myself to do it the other way. This is only about my third time using the hones, so it's very new to me. The shave was really very excellent. Very smooth. I even did ATG on the jawline and neck; something I normally only do with the more 'forgiving' W&B.

[EDIT]...You know what? Unless it's actually WRONG to do it that way, I think I'll continue to do it like that. I just tried the heel first and it doesn't feel 'right' to me. I actually feel much more comfortable the other way. I don't want to be rude and ignore the friendly advice, but ifit IS an acceptable method, I think I'll stick with it. I'm never going to hone anyone else's razors; only mine.

Of course of someone says it's just plain wrong, I'll stop!! :-)

The only test is the shave. Since it is working for you then continue your style of honing stroke. The only suggestions I can make is when your starting the stroke try placing the toe of the blade closer to the edge of the hone, you seem to be starting at about the midpoint of the blade. Next, try to apply the pressure distribution 60% edge and 40% spine and lastly, be sure to "refresh" the hone before each honing session. The hone will cut much better when it has been cleaned/litely lapped before you start.

Hope this helps,

Oh great, thanks for replying randydance062449,
It's great to get advice from a 'mentor', not that everyone's advice isn't important. Yeah, I was starting the toe 1/2 way in from the edge and aiming the toe for the top left corner. So if i started the toe further in to the edge of the hone, would I still sort of aim the toe for the top left corner? I'll try the pressure distribution. I'm watching the little pool of water pushed by the edge really closely. I'm guessing that if I see water not being fully pushed by the edge (i.e. sneaking under the edge) it means that the edge and the hone aren't fully in contact. I'm finding on some of my razors I need to twist the tang slightly to bring the heel fully in contact. Does this sound like a useful observation re the water and a valid method for getting some edge on the heel. I do tend to you the heel a lot when shaving...
Thanks again for the advice :-)

Yeah, I was starting the toe 1/2 way in from the edge and aiming the toe for the top left corner. So if i started the toe further in to the edge of the hone, would I still sort of aim the toe for the top left corner?
Start the toe closer to the bottom edge of the hone
I'll try the pressure distribution. I'm watching the little pool of water pushed by the edge really closely. I'm guessing that if I see water not being fully pushed by the edge (i.e. sneaking under the edge) it means that the edge and the hone aren't fully in contact.
Correct
I'm finding on some of my razors I need to twist the tang slightly to bring the heel fully in contact.
Yes, we call this applying some torque to the tang

Does this sound like a useful observation re the water and a valid method for getting some edge on the heel. I do tend to you the heel a lot when shaving...
Sounds good to me
Thanks again for the advice :-)

Hone how you want. Your face is the judge. However, I advise against resting an open blade on a porcelain plate. Too much potential for damage. Especially the way it is resting at the video intro.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Hone how you want. Your face is the judge. However, I advise against resting an open blade on a porcelain plate. Too much potential for damage. Especially the way it is resting at the video intro.

Hi onimaru55, yes, I did think about that as I picked it up! Thanks!