Thread: A Hollow Spine

Originally Posted by WW243

One more observation based on an idiotically small sample: If the razor spine is concave, the cutting edge will mirror that concavity, and the razor will lie flat on the hone (if past honing hasn't messed with good geometry).

I don't think that statement holds true Bill. If you take those extreme Japanese Saito Razors, you cannot hone them flat on the hone - a rolling stroke is a must - otherwise you will hone a flat into the bevel. Laying one of those extreme razors on a hone demonstrates that only a part of the edge rests at any point along the bevel.

Edit: Tom beat me to it.

Originally Posted by UKRob

I don't think that statement holds true Bill. If you take those extreme Japanese Saito Razors, you cannot hone them flat on the hone - a rolling stroke is a must - otherwise you will hone a flat into the bevel. Laying one of those extreme razors on a hone demonstrates that only a part of the edge rests at any point along the bevel.

Edit: Tom beat me to it.

Well put.

Originally Posted by UKRob

I don't think that statement holds true Bill. If you take those extreme Japanese Saito Razors, you cannot hone them flat on the hone - a rolling stroke is a must - otherwise you will hone a flat into the bevel. Laying one of those extreme razors on a hone demonstrates that only a part of the edge rests at any point along the bevel.

Edit: Tom beat me to it.

To me, while those razors might be perfectly functional, they are freaks among straight razors. As such, they defy all proven science.

Swooping strokes are used to keep the edge in relation to the spine.

Really Tom, I wish this meant something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT3SI8h0GxI

at about 14:39 smoooooooth honing of a Saito.

Originally Posted by WW243

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT3SI8h0GxI

at about 14:39 smoooooooth honing of a Saito.

Hmm. He's only honing 2/3 the bevel length, the heel is untouched and it's a sk2, might as well be straight edge

Sk1 curvature by comparison: