I don't like counting

[noahpictures]

Counting laps takes the fun out of honing for me. At the beginning I used to count and after reaching a high number of laps without success I'd begin doubting my honing skills or assume there was something wrong with the razor. Instead of counting laps it's more important to pay attention to feedback.

Anyone else share this opinion or counts laps after becoming proficient at honing?

 

[jpcwon]

I agree. I used to count laps, but once you start to learn your stone(s) you get a better "feel" for how much honing you need to do.

It's more important to learn how to interpret feedback than it is to count laps IMHO....When the razor's done it's done, there are no set rules that you HAVE to count to a certain amount before you're ready to move on or finish... YMMV Big time.....

 

[PapaFish]

When I started, I counted, or I should say, I tried to count. I was using such slow stones, and making such HUGE leaps in grits, that it wound up being futile. I no longer try to count, just pay attention to trying to get each side even, and getting the edge where I want it. The way water reacts on certain stones tells you a lot.

 

[cb91710]

Counting laps takes the fun out of honing for me. At the beginning I used to count and after reaching a high number of laps without success I'd begin doubting my honing skills or assume there was something wrong with the razor. Instead of counting laps it's more important to pay attention to feedback.

Anyone else share this opinion or counts laps after becoming proficient at honing?

Agreed. I only count when doing circles or half-laps so I can ensure that I'm getting the same count on the other side.

But normal full laps (or stropping), I don't bother to count. I feel the blade, and watch the slurry.

 

[oakeshott]

Gave up counting as well. It was just frustrating.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Counting sucks, just time yourself!

 

[jrp316]

I count circles, but that's about it. I'll usually run a test (HHT/TPT/TNT) after a 10 or 20 lap sequence though. Beyond that, I don't hold to lap count.

 

[mainaman]

Counting laps takes the fun out of honing for me. At the beginning I used to count and after reaching a high number of laps without success I'd begin doubting my honing skills or assume there was something wrong with the razor. Instead of counting laps it's more important to pay attention to feedback.

Anyone else share this opinion or counts laps after becoming proficient at honing?

nice to see people are finding the truth. With experience honing becomes about feeling the razor on the stone rather then counting, not to mention that different razors and stones call for different count numbers.

 

[rockviper]

I kan't kount passed tree anywayz

 

[cb91710]

nice to see people are finding the truth. With experience honing becomes about feeling the razor on the stone rather then counting, not to mention that different razors and stones call for different count numbers.

First 2 times I tried honing, I used the pyramid method.
My thoughts the entire time were "How can this number of passes be right for every blade on every stone?"

Of course, it wasn't... and the blades shaved like those that I had purchased "professionally honed"... worked great for a week and then needed to be honed again.

Dumped that method, bought a Coti, and now I take the Wacker to the hones maybe once every 6 months.

 

[Drybonz]

I counted laps when I was learning, but long since stopped. I just rely on visual/tactile cues from the razor and stone, etc...

 

[pmaster]

tried counting the first few times but quickly realized it was pointless.

 

[cleanshaved]

No counting at all. I just relax and hone until the job is done.
I even gave up counting how many time I get told off for making a mess while honing by the Mrs

 

[Slash McCoy]

Let's see... I can count to ten on my fingers. If I take my boots and socks off, I can easily go up to twenty. I can even go to twenty-one if I... no, I won't go there.

Seriously yeah I count laps, but not with a lap count for a goal. Just to sort of keep track. I might go by the hundred and stop and check my progress on a slow honing medium, or if I have to take off a lot of metal and don't have anything fast and coarse available. Of course I count circle strokes so I stay more or less even from side to side. I count laps on the pasted balsa though... 4 dozen after each shave on the .1u diamond is usually about right. But the goal in honing is not to clock a certain number of laps, but to get a sharp edge, so I go until I get a sharp edge, according to the cues from the water, feedback, and sharpness tests like FOFT or HHT. Also I like to know how many laps a newbie is using, to help figure out if the problem is not enough rubbing or something else.

It's like taking a long road trip. You don't drive until you see the odometer reading a certain number of miles driven... you drive until you see that you have reached your destination.

But if the odo says 300 miles more than I expected, I know something funny is going on and maybe I ought to figure out what it might be.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Let's see... I can count to ten on my fingers. If I take my boots and socks off, I can easily go up to twenty. I can even go to twenty-one if I... no, I won't go there.

That's what living on a boat with 50 other men does to you!

 

[cb91710]

That's what living on a boat with 50 other men does to you!

You could count to 1050!

 

[Gamma]

No need to count unless doing 1/2 strokes or circles, which I almost never use.
Even then, I don't count religiously - more like time/rhythm to keep each side as even as possible.

Theres nothing wrong with counting either - whatever feels best should be fine.
Not counting isn't a sign of honing guru-ness, and counting isn't indicative of being green,
If someone counts strokes and gets great results then that's all that matters.

Yet - attempting to hone based pirely on a stroke count can be futile, there are too many variables for that to be anything other than a loose guideline in most instances.

 

[Bayamontate]

I started honing as a counter, now I hone by cadence, sound and feel.

 

[Danricgro]

I count but it is just habit. Not really needed.

 

[Sando]

Counting takes the fun out of it. I use a King 1k to set the bevel and a coticule for everything after that. X's and circles on the King until the edge pops arm hairs. Then x's on the coticule keeping the slurry wet until it's just water. Then several slow final x's and off to the strop. I look for the edge to form and finalize and how it feels as it rides over the coticule. It could go quick or not depending on the blade, not a total number count. What are the markers you look for as you progress?