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Ah ok, I got you know. You have to make sure that the shoulder/shank is always right at the edge of the hone. Although even then, there would be a tiny portion of the spine that doesn't hit the hone...

That would make it difficult to achieve a smile as I understand it.
In order to achieve a smile you have to hone away more (with more pressure?) of the edge at the toe and the heel. Now, if you hone...

I am somewhat reluctant to add to this thread since a) I am a honing beginner and b) tempers are pretty heated up already ;), but here are my thoughts and I would like to know what more experienced...

Thanks Joe, that makes perfect sense.

Redwoood

now, with a narrow hone, I totally understand.

but if your hone is as wide as your blade, don't you eventually overhone the toe and underhone the heel ?
I mean you don't have a choice where to...

So you use the X-pattern, even when the hone is wide enough for the entire blade ?

Redwoood