Why X-pattern with a 3" wide Norton?
I have a 3" wide Norton 4/8 stone and I've begun to notice something strange with honing. If I look closely, the nose of my razors is slightly smaller than the heel and I think this is due to the X-pattern.
First off, the razor I notice this on the most is a store bought Dovo with a perfectly level edge. I start with the entire blade resting on the stone. The heel is on the edge of the stone perpendicular to the blade and once I start “X-ing” the heel immediately stops making contact with the stone, but the nose glides all the way across and down.
From my perspective, the nose is in contact with the stone much longer than the heel, and I presume this is why the nose is slightly smaller than the heel. Anyone else have this problem, or am I putting too much pressure on the nose?
My real question is, if the blade fits entirely on the 3" wide Norton, why do the X-pattern at all, why not just push the blade straight down the hone?
The Nose and the Heel Problem
Kees,
Do you hone using magnification before and after? One thing I have noticed is that the nose and the heel of almost every razor I've ever examined are not honed as well as the middle of the blade. You may just be noticing something that's always been there! Even if the nose and heel were wearing differentially it may not be the stone or the X-pattern. It may be due to the hardness of the steel being different out at the ends. Why? Different thicknesses of steel cool differently and end up being softer or harder. Not much but just enough. This phenomenon has been the subject of much discussion among the bladesmith community. Just a possibility to think about in case there weren't enough variables in the equation....