Thread: Zen honing experience

I was honing a wedge tonight and I knew from all the posts this was going to be a long one.

After setting the bevel on a 1000k I proceeded to the norton 4000k. After god knows how many strokes on the 4000k I went to the 8000k. On the 8000k is where the zen experience took place.

Yes, I know it sounds out there, but it happened. Becoming one with the blade, hone and swarf. The blade just glided on top of the slurry with only guidance from the fingers. Gentle strokes and circles of the blade made the hone become a portrait of curly maple or tiny ripples of sand on a beach. Time stood still and all thoughts were gone.

I couldn't even tell you how many hours passed. But it was an experience I'll never forget. I hope everyone can experience this at least once. It was the most relaxing feeling I've had in years.

Just thought I'd share.

I had a similar experience when honing a Boker last weekend. When I switched to the 8k side of my Norton, it was like things clicked. With my newly-divined knowledge, it didn't take long on the 8k and then I moved to my coticule. Using the coticule was quite zen-like as you've described. The 40 laps on the coticule took forever, but it was over too quickly... The razor shaved wonderfully for two shaves, and then I dropped it and chipped the toe pretty badly. It was as if karma had decided that I had learned too much too quickly and she took away my prize for having gained that knowledge.

Oh man sorry to hear about the razor, but glad you had the experience. It's something else that's all I can say. The little woman was wondering why I was up so late, just didn't want to end. Unfortunately, I had to snap back into reality and catch some shut eye.

Yeah, I guess your right about the Karma, just a little reminder that somethings in life can be a pleasure, but can be taken away in an instant.

Thanks for sharing your experience.