The Ax Method of honing razors is a study is simplicity, it is not the final say in the final edge, but it will create 99% of the final edge for most beards. There are more advanced honing techniques that can follow up the Ax, but I have shaved off this method over and over again with excellent results.
The gist of my method is to create as near as you can the perfect geometry on the razors edge, and then to refine that edge while preserving the geometry. The perfect geometery for any edge is a V shape, not a U shape. The V shape is perfect because the two bevels meet at a prescribed angle to create a thin edge. For razors the angle seems to be around 18degrees, for knifes and tools the angle depends on the tool and the use.
I have found that overhoning a V shaped profile bevel eventually ends up with a U shaped edge profile. This can be corrected or patched up by taping the spine to change the angle so that in this way the edge will once again touch the hones surface instead of rocking on the U shape profile in a haphazard way.
With a slurry on the stones surface the abrasive action is supercharged, the down side is that this slurry will also speed up the deformation of the V shape to a U shape edge. My goal in the Ax Method is to, with as few strokes as possible replace the previous scratches from the last stone with fresh scratches from the final stone. The definition of sharpening is to replace the scratches with a desired and chosen finish in a skillful way, so therefore if you have the quality final stone that imparts the grit particle size necessary to create a shave ready edge that you are happy with and you have the skill and technique to use the stone, then you have a good chance to achieve the final product.
Here is a short video that will in my fumbling way describe my method. Again I am using about 25 strokes (1 minute) on the finishing stone after coming off a 5k Suehiro. I have also done the same test with coming off a 1k King and using about 40 strokes. Any of these edges can be personalized with some favorite finishing technique. I would wish that a few of you would attempt to duplicate my method and to critique it so that I can improve it. best wishes, Alx
The gist of my method is to create as near as you can the perfect geometry on the razors edge, and then to refine that edge while preserving the geometry. The perfect geometery for any edge is a V shape, not a U shape. The V shape is perfect because the two bevels meet at a prescribed angle to create a thin edge. For razors the angle seems to be around 18degrees, for knifes and tools the angle depends on the tool and the use.
I have found that overhoning a V shaped profile bevel eventually ends up with a U shaped edge profile. This can be corrected or patched up by taping the spine to change the angle so that in this way the edge will once again touch the hones surface instead of rocking on the U shape profile in a haphazard way.
With a slurry on the stones surface the abrasive action is supercharged, the down side is that this slurry will also speed up the deformation of the V shape to a U shape edge. My goal in the Ax Method is to, with as few strokes as possible replace the previous scratches from the last stone with fresh scratches from the final stone. The definition of sharpening is to replace the scratches with a desired and chosen finish in a skillful way, so therefore if you have the quality final stone that imparts the grit particle size necessary to create a shave ready edge that you are happy with and you have the skill and technique to use the stone, then you have a good chance to achieve the final product.
Here is a short video that will in my fumbling way describe my method. Again I am using about 25 strokes (1 minute) on the finishing stone after coming off a 5k Suehiro. I have also done the same test with coming off a 1k King and using about 40 strokes. Any of these edges can be personalized with some favorite finishing technique. I would wish that a few of you would attempt to duplicate my method and to critique it so that I can improve it. best wishes, Alx
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