How do You Orient Your Hone?

[duke762]

What's your preferred hone orientation while bench honing? X axis or Y axis? Somewhere in between or variable? I find for knives and tools I'm all over the place, depending on what I'm trying to do. Razors are another matter however, and I tend to end up about 15 to 45 degrees off of the Y axis with the hone oriented towards my right hand, while honing right handed. There I believe, I have the most feel and control in relation to the hone.

While thinking over the X axis I have to say, I admire anyone who can hone a razor on a X oriented hone. I think I most likely could do a razor, purely on the Y axis, but not the X. One thing that gives me the heebie jeebie's is that some of the youtube video characters tend to use a Y axis orientation as an excuse, or opportunity, to use both hands on the razor. Yes Sir, I can't do that either.....

So really, what orientation is your favorite? Is anyone able to hone to satisfaction, regardless of the hones orientation? Straight X and straight Y have to be the most difficult with the least feel I would think?

 

[Legion]

Razors and knives, Y axis. Unless I am hand holding a finishing stone, then it might be slightly off Y, but still close.

The only time I sometimes use X axis is chisels.

 

[kcb5150]

Razors I strongly prefer hand honing but if the stone is just too much for that I am more or less Y. Kitchen knives I may orient the stone in Y but I reorient my body for the push and pull where the actual stone orientation is probably more / for me than anything.

 

[Gamma]

Most important is being comfortable and being able to stay consistent through the process. So preferences being what they are, different strokes for different people. Position of the stone, relative to the users elbow, height of working surface you might say, is another consideration.
I will use x or y depending on what is going on and often the stone is on an angle in between.
Personally, I feel this stuff might be something to think about but not fuss over.

 

[Wid]

Mainly Y for me. At times I will turn the hone just slightly to the right.

 

[natto]

I am using full strokes. And one bevel looks better than the other. So I adjust the stone to improve the weak stroke. It is somewhwew in between.

and of course this:

Most important is being comfortable and being able to stay consistent through the process.

 

[duke762]

One of the best, 3 word pieces of advice, I've ever gotten was after I inquired somewhere why my toe wasn't getting sharp. The reply was so simple and accurate...Raise your elbow. Z axis is very important also.

 

[Tanuki]

My razor hones align straight up Y axis. Two hands. Both push along the Y axis. Left hand counteracts the weight of tang and scales. Right hand (tang) flips and re-orients. Neither hand pushes much in the Z axis, except when an edge requires major steel removal. Even then I try to use more patience than pressure.

Knife and tool hones. All over the place, but never straight X axis on a bench. Honing a woodturning chisel or gouge, very seldom straight Y but never more than 30° or 35° away from Y.

 

[Tomo]

Long ways pointing away from me on the bench.

 

[silverlifter]

What's that game that was around decades ago, where you had a small steel ball in a flat plastic case and had to roll it around to avoid obstacles?

That's me hand honing trying to keep the slurry running off the stone...

 

[bmiller3230]

With my coticule, fore and aft (not port to starboard). Free floating in my left hand. I don't want a firm/stable surface holding it so that it's easier to adjust and compensate for varying pressure

 

[rhgg2]

Also... sitting or standing? I generally sit, and interested to know how common that is.

 

[silverlifter]

I stand. And when I am hand honing, I rock from one foot to the other with each lap. It's not intentional, I just find myself doing it...

 

[Wid]

I’m a stander too. Sitting isn’t comfortable to me while honing.

 

[duke762]

Standing? I'm blown away by that! Yep, totally blown away! I can see the attraction though, I like to have my nose right up in the business while honing.I will probably tag my nose on a flip someday. I'd have to have something to lean on or hang on to though. At my age and background, I'm never very comfortable. Since everything below my belly button is either fubar or hurts, I have to sit.

And again, I learn something new here every day.......Too Cool!

 

[lasta]

Freehand, upside-down with a 12 degree slant and 31 degree twist.

Play it like a fiddle.

 

[Koop]

Standing. My wife bought me a firm neoprene mat to cushion my feet at my honing sink/station. Saves my feet and knees.