Quote Originally Posted by bluesman7 View Post
I was treating the paper cutting as a bevel set test and like another bevel set test that I do, the TNT, I assumed that it was a slightly destructive test. As such I did not use it above the 1k level.

Before dulling the razor for re honing I did slice a little paper with the razor in just off of shave ready condition.
That was pretty impressive.
This actually may be a good starting point for most. A sharp edge you are going to reset the bevel on anyway. If you had continued the cutting, you may very well have created the bur so dreaded here, or may have gotten far enough to realize after 10-12 cuts, the blade did not cut as slickly, with a little more drag, and possibly a little more noise, as the paper tore more and cut less. Continued cutting from that point would have eventually created a few chips, and it may have become more difficult to drag the razor through the paper. Not exactly the reverse of the normal progression of bevel set to fine edge, as there are no striations from the progression of stones, but enough to give you some feel, and realize the difference. Assuming your bevel set got rid of all other imperfections, cuts will start without the chips that were so obvious coming from the other direction, and the cuts will b a little smoother, but noisy. They will approach the first cuts you did with a good edge, as the progression moves along. If you suddenly get a very rough and noisy cut, you have a wire edge, or bur, possibly caused by getting side pressure from the paper while making your last cut. A pothole.
Cheers,