How to hone a smile?

**binder** · 06-25-2012, 03:01 AM

I am honing a razor, full hollow 5/8. The razor has a slight smile. The problem is sharpening the toe and heel. I used marker on the razor and some is left on these spots. What are the best ways to sharpen this razor, maintaining the smile without wearing out the toe and heel? I am still on the 1K level. I have been using the x stroke, heel leading.

Thanks

**Maxi** · 06-25-2012, 03:14 AM

For smilers, you need to use what we call a "swooping X stroke". Essentially you start with the heel canted forward, and then as you move down the stone, you begin to turn and push the razor so that the middle hits the stone, and the toe is the last thing off the stone.

The motion is not unlike honing a large chef's knife.

Does this make sense?

**gssixgun** · 06-25-2012, 04:23 AM

Ask and thou shalt recieve !!!

gssixgun Honing a Smiling Wedge part 1.wmv - YouTube

**Hex** · 06-25-2012, 04:48 AM

I'm learning this too, and have found the rolling stroke usefull.

**EisenFaust** · 06-25-2012, 05:30 AM

all good stuff above - I would describe my smiling stroke as a 'windscreen wiper' kind of motion - moving the pressure as the marker dicates.

**Rori** · 06-25-2012, 11:23 AM

@ gssixgun:

Thanks a lot. This is extremely helpful since I have to hone three wade& butcher smiling wedges.

**DoughBoy68** · 06-25-2012, 09:21 PM

Two thumbs up on gssixgun's videos on honing a smiling wedge. He really explains what he is doing, why he is doing it and also passes on very helpful tips. All my edges, not just smileys, have improve so much after watching his videos.

His system does work and works very well. I have used it on a couple of smileys with fantastic results. I watched all three videos at first then went back and watched the fist one a couple of times until I was sure I had it down. Then I would do the same with the second and finally the third...........worked like a charm!

I keep a shortcut on my desktop to his honing videos in case I need to recap one of his honing methods.

**binder** · 06-26-2012, 06:15 AM

Thanks Maxi and gssixgun for the explanation and video.

I'm assuming I need to roll the pressure as I do the 45 x stroke and the swooping stroke. I'm not understanding how a person doesn't lift the spine when doing a rolling x stroke, because of the shape of the razor at least slightly, unless the razor is moved off the stone from heel to toe. Am I understanding this right?

**Hex** · 06-26-2012, 02:23 PM

Have you read the wiki on the 'rolling x stroke?'

Rolling X stroke - Straight Razor Place Wiki

**binder** · 06-26-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Hex

Have you read the wiki on the 'rolling x stroke?'

Rolling X stroke - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I thought gssixgun was advising against doing a rocking motion as shown in the wiki, so I was wanting to know if I understood him correctly.

Thread: How to hone a smile?

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

How to hone a smile?

The Following User Says Thank You to Maxi For This Useful Post:

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to gssixgun For This Useful Post:

Posting Permissions