After reading about parallel to edge strokes and spine leading strokes and seeing the old manuscript mentioning figure "8" strokes, I started thinking... (watch out, it may get dangerous)
I've tried what I'm calling a "squared" figure 8 stroke and want input from everyone.
I start with hone in left hand and place the razor at the far end, edge to me (spine away) toe just on the right side of hone. Then draw the razor to me and to the right, making the \ of the X. Then instead of flipping and completeing a standard X on the away stroke, I leave razor on hone and slide it straight to the left making a _ stroke followed by away and to the right completing the first 3/4 of the figure 8. At this point I've moved the razor across the hone in this pattern X. Then still on the hone, move razor to the left completing the pattern. So without lifting the razor I have an edge leading, two parallel to edge, and one spine leading strokes. Ten or twenty of these and then flip and do the other side of the razor, repeat as needed, then reducing to 5 each side then 3, etc
On a coti, it seems to leave a "hazy" finish on the bevel kinda like a jnat finish instead of the "fine scratch pattern" of the coti using standard X strokes.
Hoping this will preclude any "wire edge" or "fin" problems like the sideways and spine leading strokes are said to help with.
Any input, ideas, critique, or cautions y'all wanna add?
I've tried what I'm calling a "squared" figure 8 stroke and want input from everyone.
I start with hone in left hand and place the razor at the far end, edge to me (spine away) toe just on the right side of hone. Then draw the razor to me and to the right, making the \ of the X. Then instead of flipping and completeing a standard X on the away stroke, I leave razor on hone and slide it straight to the left making a _ stroke followed by away and to the right completing the first 3/4 of the figure 8. At this point I've moved the razor across the hone in this pattern X. Then still on the hone, move razor to the left completing the pattern. So without lifting the razor I have an edge leading, two parallel to edge, and one spine leading strokes. Ten or twenty of these and then flip and do the other side of the razor, repeat as needed, then reducing to 5 each side then 3, etc
On a coti, it seems to leave a "hazy" finish on the bevel kinda like a jnat finish instead of the "fine scratch pattern" of the coti using standard X strokes.
Hoping this will preclude any "wire edge" or "fin" problems like the sideways and spine leading strokes are said to help with.
Any input, ideas, critique, or cautions y'all wanna add?