Using fewer strokes!!

It's starting to hit me, just how fast a waterstone works on the bevel of a razor. In the last couple of weeks I've been purposefully lowering the number of strokes I do when honing and the results so far have been fantastic. On my last razor I set the bevel on 1k using sets of circles followed by 10-15 x-strokes. After the bevel set I did two sets of circles followed by x-strokes on 4k. Then I did15 or so strokes on 8k to finish. That was it. A few weeks ago I would have finished up on each hone with dozens of x-strokes, in an attempt to "max out" the polish. The bevel is still polished now, but the polished area is narrower. Funnily enough, the shaving results have been at least as good so far. If I need a little more work on the razor, I either paste, or do just a few more strokes on a hone and I can tell an improvement on the next shave. So I think I'm on to something here. I'm getting good results with less wear on my blades, and less effort. And I'm just really impressed with the speed and efficiency of my stones. Just thought I would share with the group.

Michael

ps--Thanks to the more experienced members who advised me on my recent post about bevel polish.

Yep

Heard something like in the past :) some guy named Lynn said something like "Less is More"

Most people have to realize what that actually means after they do the 100's of strokes first, they think that is 10 is good, 100 will be great, it seems to be something that you have to realize by working through it...