Thread: Not using circles

I don't think there is anything wrong with doing circles to hone a razor. I'm just starting to get away from it a bit.

I find that if I do a good x-stroke and hit the full length of the edge, that it's just easier for me to stay consistent and keep doing that until I feel that I'm done on that stone.

OTOH if I start out with circles it either hits the whole edge easily, and can cover up an area that might be trouble to hit with an x stroke later. Or if I can't hit the whole edge on circles, then it's hard for me to change the circles so that I cover that area and I wind up doing the whole thing on x strokes anyway.

So my last 4 razors or so have involved just using the MMT to find a good x-stroke. Then 1k until it passes the Thumb test and the look test. Then progressing to 4k/8k,12 and stropping.

Just food for thought but please comment if you like.

Michael

I would suggest that you just have to do what works for you.

The Circle stroke basically does 2 things as I understand it. It creates a scratch pattern that is more random (and many find it easier to refine than a single direction pattern). The other thing is it maximizes the grinding action by utilizing 100% of the honers motions (no "wasted" movements, all movement is removing metal).

My findings have shown me that for material removal, I rank the strokes like this from fastest to slowest all else being equal.
1. Circles
2. Pigtails
3. X-strokes.

YMMV, this is just what I think I have figured out thus far...could be wrong?

I think circles are an excellent way to go, IMO, they are repeatable, keep constant and even pressure on the razor and take metal off evenly across the edge.

If you feel x strokes make it happen for you, then do you. It's all about the results and the shave.

As your confidence in your x-strokes grows, you may find yourself experimenting with circles again someday - or maybe not. I think I agree it's easier to be consistent with x-strokes than with circles. But that could be a personal preference too, I'm not sure - for me, it is a little more natural to apply balanced pressure across the bevel during a stroke up and down the hone. The circles help make rough bevel work a little more efficient though, so I think they're worth learning for that kind of honing job if one expects to encounter it often

What matters is the results you get, not the stroke you use. Use what you feel comfortable with and work with it. I, myself, use X strokes as well...I don't really do much other strokes.

For me blokes, every razor is different as you all have found out in timte.
It does depend on the feeling of the razor edge on the stone, circles are some times called for and sometimes it just feels right to do firm X-Strokes until the edge reach's the need to go up to the next level[stone].

IMHO, that is, have a great week gents!!

Hard to break habits and I learned on X strokes. Someone told me that they don't ever use circles because 'they remove too much metal too quickly'. I like them for setting the bevel and have been experimenting with them on up in the grits to the 4 and 8. I still do X strokes to finish.

IIRC Lynn started out using them on the 1k and 4k but went back to the X at the 8k. He apparently has taken them further yet with good results. So they are a viable way to go if you're comfortable with them and practice makes perfect.

Lynn hones more razors in a month than I probably will if I live another 20 years. For him a consistent, and most of all, efficient way to get the job done is important. For the small amount of 'hobbyist' honing I do it is immaterial whether I do one way, the other , or a combination of the two. It appears that both ways work equally well with a practiced hand. The circles may get it done faster. Which technique I use depends on my mood and on the razor. Just IMHO.

Lynn's SRP 2009 Convention video is a testament to how well circles work. Using that template, you can't go wrong, no way, no how. But again, if X strokes get you there, do you.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

Lynn's SRP 2009 Convention video is a testament to how well circles work. Using that template, you can't go wrong, no way, no how. But again, if X strokes get you there, do you.

That was a great video but Lynn recently put this together and it is even more informative ;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...es-honing.html