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Rolling X stroke

Originally posted by Russel Baldridge.^[1]

I don't know if anyone will get much out of this, but I took a few shots the other day while I was honing because there had been some discussion about "the rolling X" pattern for honing. The razor is one with a very pronounced smile, and the motion has been exaggerated to show the essence of what's happening. Each razor will require a different degree of "roll" in the honing stroke, so just take this as a basic instruction, you'll need to use your own judgement when implementing it.

The motion is the same for both sequences, only the first one does a "rolling X" pattern, while the second set focuses on the "rolling hone" which goes straight down the length of the stone.

This picture shows the starting position; heel on the stone, toe raised up to make contact at the heel. The back and the edge touch the stone at the same time. You would use a traditional honing stroke using the full length of the stone, I just forgot to move very much while taking pictures.

Half way through the stroke, middle of the blade touching, toe still slightly off the stone.

The end of the stroke, the toe is the only part of the blade touching the stone.

Some different shots. This set shows how to do it without any X pattern necessary.

Again razor with a ridiculous smile to show the motion.

If you look close, you can see that the razor does not touch the stone at the toe or heel.

That is why the straight honing method does not work for it.

For a Flat Edge

Because the pressure exerted on the blade's contact with the hone is different near the shank where you are holding it than out at the tip where you are not, some will experience a shaving sharp heel and a tip which won't cut a thing if they are only employing the simple X pattern. Employing a Rolling Hone pressure change up the edge as you advance through the honing stroke, even though there is little or no actual change in the blade's contact with the stone on a truly flat edge, one can effect a more equal response along the entire edge.

References

1. ↑ http://straightrazorplace.com/advanced-honing-topics/21734-rolling-x.html