Thread: How to avoid frown at heel?

How do you avoid creating a frown at the heel of a razor while honing? From the instructions I've seen for doing the X-pattern or any of its variations, the heel isn't on the stone for very long. That would mean that honing this way would remove the least amount of metal from the heel, right?

I have a 3" Norton 4K/8K, and doing an X-pattern leaves the toe on the stone the longest. My razor has a smile at the toe, and it's straight down the rest of the razor. I've not honed much before, and I want to make sure I don't make a frown at the heel.

Thanks in advance!

-Michael

Usually when the edge or bevel starts receding at some point that is an indicator too much pressure is being applied at that point. If you are doing an x motion the edge is getting exposure to the hone along the entire line of travel. Just slow down and see where you are applying uneven pressure. The old magic marker on the blade will help you to see this.

Watch your elbows as you hone. Keep them under control.