Modern metal honing companies certainly still do some things in a quite traditional way. The image of an operator surrounded by noise and flying sparks is one that can certainly still be seen easily enough today, but a modern honing machine operator is also just as likely to be found programming a computer to carry out precision honing of metal.
One such honing company is Apperley Honing Ltd. They have been around for a long time, but are now use computer controlled honing machinery to offer a more precise and faster service which means that the skilled operators can achieve complex surface finishes accurately and it can be verified using the latest computer analysis software.
In summary then, honing has both remained a process that uses some traditional methods whilst it has also had to move with the times to make use of modern technology too and until we reach the point where another process takes its place, it is something that is still certainly needed.