In another thread, there was a video of Mastro Livi, (See Video, post 638) restoring one of his razors, a client complained would chip after honing on a Coticule.

Livi said it appeared the owner used a 1K stone to bevel set and a 1K was too coarse a stone. He recommended a minimum of 3K for bevel setting, and did so to reset the bevel after regrinding.

While a bevel can easily be set with a 3, 4 or 5k stone, I have always believed, novice honers edge problems, are a result of not fully setting the bevel, or too much pressure on low grit stones and or Diamond plates causing chipping on the edge. The issue is pressure with low grit.

So would recommending a 3 or 4K in place of bevel setting on a 1K, result in better success for novice honers? It is not many more laps over a 1K.

There is nothing wrong with using a 1k, at times with restoration I go to a 600 stone, the issue is pressure. A 3 or 4k, even with pressure will not leave as deep a stria pattern and chipped edge. It will make a keener straighter bevel set edge.

What are your thoughts? Perhaps Mr. Livi, is not just another pretty face?