Thread: More on high passes - with pics

The pictures are beautiful! I hope I can continue to push forward my thoughts that honing is more about "scupting" than just tearing away at metal indiscrimently.

I believe, but do not worry about, a finite amount of laps that each steel type (carbon and stainless) can withstand, even without pressure. But, 60-80 passes doesn't seem to be the range. But, I would be curious if you think you find that point.

I think a few more examples of the results between the 10 lap range and say 60-75 would be pretty conclusive. I've always done lots and lots of laps, and found better results. But, it's so easy to develop bad assumptions.

Originally Posted by jeness

So these pictures were taken with this USb mic?

Red Ant DM-300A PC Link USB Digital Microscope - eBay (item 320562483436 end time Mar-13-11 08:18:20 PDT)

Yes. As mentioned above, there is almost no documentation with it, so it might cause some difficulty in figuring out how to install.

After trying numerous methods to hold the blade, I've found the easiest so far is to put some silly putty on both sides of the stand and sticking the blade onto it so that it angles up slightly into the lens.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think a few more examples of the results between the 10 lap range and say 60-75 would be pretty conclusive. I've always done lots and lots of laps, and found better results. But, it's so easy to develop bad assumptions.

That is one thing that has been lacking in all of my experiments, are the pictures between low-normal laps and high laps. When I get a chance I will take some pictures in 10 lap increments on each stone.

Thanks for the pictures I can't get to many.

I think this is a good example of once the bevel is set the rest should be quick. You are just erasing the previous "bigger" scratches with smaller ones.

Tim

REALLY great post!! The 10 lap increment pictures should be really interesting.

Very good post! and I don't say that very often anymore.

There is a limit to what the steel will take before it starts to crumble. Thats how thin the edge gets. Your pics show that.

FWIW I usually use 20-30 laps on the finishing stones ( man made hones) and abrasive pastes and none of them with pressure.

The one variable that cannot be accounted for is the answer to the question...just how sharp was the blade before you used the 8K ?, the 12K?, etc. It is maddening but that is why we "refine" the edge between shaves until it suits us.

Just my $.02,

Nice pics Eric! Just goes to show how much damage pressure does to an edge..!

Thank you for these Eric, they really made me think about my technique on the hones. Lately i have found that i got my best edges when i used my almost exausted DMT 325 to set the initial bevels and then moved onto a 10-30 laps per stone in my usual progression. Thanks to your pics i am now understanding why i think....

Wow incredible to see such close up well done!!!

At which point did you do the stropping with linen & leather?
After CrOx or after 12K naniwa?

I too would be interested in the results of varying the scratch pattern (ie. honing just 10 strokes, but all with slightly different angle)