Help with definition of "pressure" please.

[Mer]

When we are told to apply light, medium etc. pressure when honing does that mean more of a twist toward the edge or simply a straight down pressure? I'm asking because just applying straight down pressure would put most of it on the spine when you are trying to correct the edge. A twisting pressure would put more on the edge. I hope I'm asking this right.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[rockviper]

Great question; one which I've puzzled over quite a bit as well.

 

[Gamma]

Pressure can be focused off the spine by torquing it toward the edge.
Thing is - if you torque too much it can twist the blade; twisting can lift the toe or dig the heel in too much.
Pressing straight down on the spine can be problematic - the edge has to make good contact at the stone and just pushing down on the spine doesn't guarantee that it will.
In theory - you can press on the spine with the edge off the stone.
It would be hard to do, but it could be done. We're honing the edge/bevel, not the spine. The spine has to wear with the bevel/edge but too much wear is ugly and can be problematic for maintaining a proper angle at the bevel.

 

[ouch]

Help with definition of "pressure" please.

Doc4 on a date.

 

[Mer]

Pressure can be focused off the spine by torquing it toward the edge.
Thing is - if you torque too much it can twist the blade; twisting can lift the toe or dig the heel in too much.
Pressing straight down on the spine can be problematic - the edge has to make good contact at the stone and just pushing down on the spine doesn't guarantee that it will.
In theory - you can press on the spine with the edge off the stone.
It would be hard to do, but it could be done. We're honing the edge/bevel, not the spine. The spine has to wear with the bevel/edge but too much wear is ugly and can be problematic for maintaining a proper angle at the bevel.

Excellent explanation, thank you!

Doc4 on a date.

Ha!

 

[Slash McCoy]

+1 what Gamma said.

Generally you will just naturally apply more or less the correct balance between spine and edge as you hone, but bear in mind that you can influence this by knowledgeably biasing the pressure by either torqueing the tang in your hand, or gently laying your index finger in the hollow of the blade.

 

[Thomas Martin]

Better to use less pressure and do more laps than the other way around.