Thread: What exactly is Feedback?

Originally Posted by BigJim

It appears that feedback is the collective body of evidence gathered through the honing process to determine the effectiveness of the honing work. It may consist of sight, feel, sound, (taste,) and/or performance in various tests (TNT, TPT, HHT, etc.)

The problem is, I think, that the term has never really been defined formally. This thread is probably the closest thing as there is to a "definition".
I'll continue to use the term the way I use it, since my use is the one that's correct.

Originally Posted by HNSB

The problem is, I think, that the term has never really been defined formally. This thread is probably the closest thing as there is to a "definition".
I'll continue to use the term the way I use it, since my use is the one that's correct.

I would like permission to suggest that this is not feedback, at least in the honing sense. The hone provides feedback suggesting that it is sharpening the blade, or that the blade is in fact sharp. Tests provide sensation, or a reaction, or a sound that indicates the condition of the blade. The razor is not getting sharper and providing feedback in the moment, it is providing information post action.

This thread is feedback on feedback about feedback. The information you get from input. If I put too much pressure on a blade going across the hone I get negative feedback. If I do it right I get positive feedback. Smooth is the feedback I am looking for and anything that eventually gets me there is the feedback I try to repeat. If I feel a bump there is a hair or grain on the stone and it needs to be cleaned. If I hear scratching it should decrease as I continue with laps. Anything short of that is telling me something is wrong.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I would like permission to suggest that this is not feedback, at least in the honing sense. The hone provides feedback suggesting that it is sharpening the blade, or that the blade is in fact sharp. Tests provide sensation, or a reaction, or a sound that indicates the condition of the blade. The razor is not getting sharper and providing feedback in the moment, it is providing information post action.

Close. I'd say feedback is the observation of the result of an action, by the originator of that action.

Audio output getting fed back in an amplifier is feedback.
Doing a survey of customer satisfaction is feedback.
The feeling of a razor moving over a stone is feedback.