Thread: Get in line!

1. What razor you are using?
2. Are your stones well lapped?
3. After lapping, are you rinsing the stones well? No slurry right?
4. You are wiping your blade after each stone right?

Bevel set
I assume you are using the Shapton GS series with the 16K mentioned. I've been using the GS series for a while now and from what you are showing me is a pressure issue. The gs stones are quite aggressive and I have a few suggestions for you. When honing on the 1K, after bevel-set (whatever method you use as long as you know it's effective), I want you to start hand honing. NO holder, just the stone in your hand from 4K up. This will help to train you to not use so much pressure.

Pre-Polish
WHen you move to the 4K, it shouldn't take many strokes at all. If you reach 30, most likely you have gone too far...but at 4k it is no issue. What the gs series offers is superb feedback and if you are paying attention you will start to notice "stiction" or a drag of the razor going over the surface of the stone. Once you notice it evenly on both sides (normally around 15-20 strokes), do 2-3 more and move to the 8K.

Polish
On the 8K, again...it shouldn't take many strokes at all. If you reach 20, you most likely have gone too far. You should start to notice the "stiction" around that 10-15 strokes...again: Once you notice the "drag" evenly on both sides, do 2-3 more and move on to the next stone.

Finish
Now, here is something else: pick one or the other. For me personally, I have moved my 16K to the bathroom to use as a barber hone (best barber hone ever!) and my 20K is with my stones. The 20K is a super fast stone like the GS stones and you will get the same feedback. Once you notice the "drag" evenly on both sides, do 2-3 more and stop. I don't care what razor you are using, if you are going over 20 strokes, you are just wasting steel and most likely your edge.

You are using some great stones & with a bit of learning their feel...you will become a great honer in time. Let the stones and razor tell you what they need. If you wish, pm me your phone number and we can talk a bit to help you along.