Thread: The difference in 4k bevel setting and the differences to look for.

Impossible to say, TPT is only learned or “calibrated” by feeling a lot of known edges. A set bevel is sharp enough to cut through the first layer of skin with just a bit of pressure. But even a fully calibrated, TPT will not tell you if the edge is “fully” set and/or if there is chipping at the edge. Feel some razor blades and utility blade and compare.

I use a combination of test, some hair test, for progress, TPT and visual tests for conformation with magnification, looking straight down for meeting bevels and from the side for chips and deep stria (that can lead to chipping.

Looking at an edge is the most comprehensive test.

Only looking at the edge straight down, with magnification will tell you if the bevel is completely set, has a chip and if the bevels are fully meeting from heel to toe. But it takes time and can be a pain in the butt to stop and look.

As you gain more experience you will need less visual testing and TPT will tell you if you are heading in the right direction, experience will fill in the rest, but it takes time to develop these skills.

I usually check visually, looking straight down before moving up in grits, once it has passed the TPT as a confirmation, looking for anomalies. Here less magnification is better,60X or less and as little as,10x or in good light the naked eye, once you know what to look for. With less magnification you can see more of the edge at time. At 400X, it can take a while to check a whole bevel looking straight down on it, you don’t need that much magnification to spot a problem,

The photos linked to in post 4 will show you what to look for.

Once you see an issue, more magnification may tell you what is causing the problem.
And there is a difference in the stones, or Naniwa would only make one stone, not all stones are capable of honing razors. Stones are made for different uses, and while all 4k stone may contain abrasives of up to 4k size, how the binder releases the grit to refresh the stone can play as important a roll as the grit itself.

Razor honing is a very small part of the honing/stone market, and we make do with the small portion of the stone that work, most do not. The vast majority are made to sharpen a variety of tools. Really when we look at the stones that are proven performers, the list is very small.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Stones are made for different uses, and while all 4k stone may contain abrasives of up to 4k size, how the binder releases the grit to refresh the stone can play as important a roll as the grit itself.

Razor honing is a very small part of the honing/stone market, and we make do with the small portion of the stone that work, most do not. The vast majority are made to sharpen a variety of tools. Really when we look at the stones that are proven performers, the list is very small.

That is the real deal. All the synthetics were made to hone plane blades, chisels, and other tools. Some of them happen to work with razors. Some better than others.

You can set a bevel on a 4K stone but a 1k is way faster, like 10x's faster. Once you get to where you think you're done setting the bevel try shaving some arm hair, go back to the stone do 10-15 more light finishing strokes and try cutting arm hair again, does it cut easier? If so do a few more, at some point it will stop getting sharper, take note of how it cuts. Make sure it cuts along the entire edge wit the same amount of ease. Make sure your hone is lapped. When the hone doesn't seem to be cutting as effcientoy as it did when you freshly lapped it, lap it again, it will clear the swarf and expose now sharper particles. When your edge is starting to come together stop lapping, the resulting bevels will smoother and leave you less work on the next hone.

Once you start reliably setting the bevel honing becomes less frustrating and more rewarding. When you move to the next grit in your progression make sure you have gotten all the scratches out from the previous hone. Don't move on until you do. You will really get the hang of it after 30-40 full bevel sets and complete honings.