I was asked to show the best way to set a bevel on a 1K stone, in particular on a Chosera 1″x6″ Edge Pro sized stone. FWIW, I do the majority of my razor honing on 1×6 stones because the 1″ width can easily accommodate most warping, frowning, and smiling blades better than a full sized 3″ width stone can. It’s a personal thing for me, as I have all the corresponding full sized stones as well, but for others, it is also a space and money thing.
Anyway, there are 3 basic strokes demonstrated in the video: Circles, Knife Strokes, and X-Strokes. There is a synopsis below the video. Enjoy!
Video Explanation in words
Hi, this is Tom Blodgett from Jende Industries. Today I’ll show you how to use the 1K Chosera 1″ × 6″ Edge Pro stone to set a bevel on a straight razor. I’ll demonstrate three different honing techniques, each designed for a specific level of edge repair.
Before you begin, add a small amount of water to the surface of the stone. The Chosera only needs a light splash of water to get started.
Method 1: Circle Strokes
The first technique is the circle stroke. This is the most aggressive method and is intended for razors that need significant bevel work, such as repairing chips or establishing a new bevel.
Lay the razor flat on the stone and make small circular motions while applying light, even pressure. I usually perform about 20 circles on one side, then flip the razor over and repeat on the other side.
Depending on the condition of the razor, you may need several sets before the bevel is fully established.
During this stage, I’m applying consistent downward pressure while moving evenly along the entire length of the blade. Circle strokes remove material quickly, making them an efficient way to perform heavy repair work.
Keep in mind that this method leaves behind a rough edge. That’s expected, because the goal here is simply to establish the bevel as efficiently as possible.
Method 2: Knife Strokes
Once the bevel has been established with circle strokes, the next step is to refine it using knife strokes.
A knife stroke is essentially half of an X-stroke. Instead of alternating sides after every stroke, you move the blade back and forth on the same side before flipping it over.
Use lighter pressure than you did with the circle strokes. I generally perform 20 to 25 strokes per side.
As you sharpen, follow the natural contour of the blade. Allow a slight side-to-side movement so the entire edge maintains contact with the stone. Watching the water in front of the edge is a good way to confirm that the blade is lying flat throughout the stroke.
Knife strokes remove the scratch pattern left by the circle strokes and replace it with a more consistent, straight scratch pattern that is much easier to refine on later stones.
Keep the razor completely flat on the stone during this process. Avoid lifting the spine or changing the sharpening angle. If a different bevel angle is required, that is when tape may be added to the spine.
Method 3: X-Strokes
The final technique is the traditional X-stroke.
This is the least aggressive honing method and uses only the weight of the razor, without additional pressure.
If you’ve already used circle strokes and knife strokes, finish by performing a series of X-strokes to further refine the bevel before moving to the next grit.
For routine maintenance, where the edge has simply become dull through normal use, I recommend starting directly with X-strokes. Since the 1K stone is still fairly aggressive, it can often remove the slight rounding that develops from regular shaving without requiring the more aggressive techniques.
If X-strokes do not restore the edge, move to knife strokes. Only use circle strokes when the razor requires significant correction or bevel repair.
Choosing the Right Technique
For a razor that has been well maintained and only needs a touch-up:
- Start with X-strokes.
- If needed, move to knife strokes.
- Use circle strokes only if the edge still requires additional work.
For a razor with an unknown history, chips, or a bevel that has not yet been established:
- Begin with circle strokes.
- Refine the bevel using knife strokes.
- Finish with X-strokes before progressing to finer stones.
Choosing the right technique depends on the condition of the razor. The goal is always to remove only the amount of steel necessary while preparing the edge for the next stage of honing.
Once the bevel is even and satisfactory, continue through your normal stone progression.
I hope this demonstration helps you better understand the bevel-setting process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Thanks for watching!
Straight Razor Honing Strokes Explained
Different honing strokes serve different purposes during the sharpening process. Choosing the correct technique depends on the condition of the razor and the amount of steel that needs to be removed.
Circle Strokes
Circle strokes are used when significant steel removal is required. They are effective for repairing chips, correcting damaged edges, or establishing a new bevel during a restoration.
Apply moderate pressure and perform approximately 20–25 circular motions on each side of the blade. Depending on the condition of the razor, several sets may be necessary before the bevel is fully formed.
Once the bevel has been created with circle strokes, continue refining it with knife strokes on the same stone before progressing to a finer grit.
Knife Strokes
Knife strokes consist of repeated back-and-forth movements on one side of the blade without flipping it over. They can be thought of as one half of a traditional X-stroke.
This technique is useful for minor edge repairs or refreshing a razor that has gradually lost some sharpness through normal use. Knife strokes require less pressure than circle strokes and help smooth the edge left behind during the bevel-setting stage.
A typical progression is 20–25 strokes per side. If circle strokes were used first, only a few sets are usually needed. When starting directly with knife strokes, additional sets may be required depending on the condition of the edge.
X-Strokes
X-strokes are the standard honing method for straight razors. The blade is alternated from one side to the other while moving diagonally across the stone, using only the weight of the razor without additional pressure.
This is the least aggressive technique and is intended to refine the bevel before moving to the next grit in the sharpening progression.
For a 1,000-grit stone, performing 50–100 X-strokes is recommended to establish a consistent scratch pattern across the bevel. Proper refinement at this stage helps reduce the chance of micro-chipping when using finer stones.
Choosing the Right Honing Stroke
For Razors Requiring Restoration
If the razor has chips, uneven bevels, corrosion, or other restoration issues, begin with:
- Circle Strokes
- Knife Strokes
- X-Strokes
Complete all three stages on the 1,000-grit stone before moving to finer grits.
For Routine Edge Maintenance
If the razor is simply losing sharpness from regular shaving and does not require major repair, begin with X-strokes.
If the edge needs additional work, switch to knife strokes. Only use circle strokes when the edge requires more aggressive correction. After using circle strokes, return to knife strokes and finish with X-strokes before continuing through the sharpening progression.
Using the appropriate stroke for the condition of the razor removes only the steel that is necessary while preparing the edge for the next stage of honing.
I hope this helps!
As usual perfect demo and advice