Honing.....does it really make any difference.

[Rob]

I'm going to stick my neck out and invite a good kicking!  Here goes. Despite wisdom to the contrary, recently I've been leaving the burr on my turning tools, specifically, roughing gouge, spindle gouge and a couple different skew chisels. I normally hone religiously, spot of compound, great care not to roll the edge, mirror finish, polish out the scratch pattern etc, the whole enchilada.

I can honestly say, it made no difference.. In fact I would venture to suggest they actually seemed sharper to me!

I know I know, am I a heretic or what?  I'm actually expecting a bolt of lightning with Jeff Faris' face on it strike me where I sit. But I kid you not, this is what's going down in my workshop.  Have I gone bonkers or is there an explanation without the word "witchcraft" in it that sheds light on my experience?

[Jeff Farris]

Your statement leads me to question your technique at the lathe. If you're scraping, rather than cutting, I would expect exactly the results you've described. If you're riding the bevel, a honed edge will unquestionably cut better than a burred edge, and last longer, too. If you're not riding the bevel, but rather contacting the stock with the edge only, than a burred edge will be more successful.

[Rob]

Hi Jeff and thanks for the response

The tools do cut fine at the lathe although its difficult to judge edge longevity without an A to B comparison. I can only assume my honing technique must be rounding the edge slightly although I struggle to see how given how painstakingly I execute the procedure. I'll experiment with sneaking up on the edge more conservatively.

Your help is appreciated :-)