Thread: Honing help needed

So I've got an old razor I started practiving honing. It had a minor chip (noticible with naked eye) so I taped the spine and did a few circles on 1000 grit, which seemed to have corrected it. Next, norton pyramid - 5/5, 3/3, 1/3, 1/5. And finally pasted strop - 1, .5 and .25 (which I suspect was an overkill).

Anyway, it didn't pass HHT, which didn't bother me too much. So I stoped it and tried to shave. And - nothing. Don't cut anything. But it doesn't feel smooth so I don't think it's overhoning. Probably just not sharp enough?

What's my next move? Keep honing with a more agressive pyramid? Or something else? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

I have a USB microscope but frankly don't know what to look for other than seeing chips or similar imperfections.

Sounds like it's not sharp. Others with more expertise will hopefully chime in, but in the meantime....

I tend to test and repeat pretty frequently. So if I were you, given there was a chip, I'd try the thumbnail test first to make sure all's good there. Then, if that turned out OK I'd start again on the Norton 4/8 (I'm assuming that's what you have from your pyramid description). You can test at the end of the pyramid by the thumbpad test or trying to pop hairs on your arms or legs or wherever - don't shave the area, just waft the razor a bit above the skin and see if hairs get cut (all along the edge, of course), or the HHT - personal preference here, really.

I wouldn't go onto the pasted strop until the razor is sharp off the norton.

(There was a document describing the various tests, but I can't seem to find it - sorry).

Hope this helps,

James.

Sounds like it needs a lot more time on the 4k side of the Norton. Fixing ebay specials can take awhile, and a microscope and a magic marker really come in handy to keep an eye on how the bevel is coming along, checking for microchips, etc. Don't move off the norton 4k side until it can pop hairs, then you can start doing pyramids.

I've heard others mention using a magic marker during honing - what exactly is it used for and how should one go about using it?

I'd do larger pyramids as well. Coming from that level of coarse grit repair, I think you should go up to 15/5 and back down again. Keep it steady and even and remember to start with a little pressure and easy way off toward the end.

X

The magic marker is applied along the edge of the razor and as you hone it should wear off evenly. If it doesn't you can see what parts of the razor are getting uneven hone treatment or if there is a warp in the blade thats too small to visually see this will indicate that also.

As far as this razor goes, personally I stay on the 4K until that bevel is as perfect as I can get it. I then move on to either the 8K or sometimes the blue belgian. I usually don't worry about cutting at the 4K stage but the thumb tests should be passed at this stage.

When I use a 1000 grit on a razor then I follow that with 50 laps on the 4k. The first 25 with a bit of pressure and the last 25 with a light pressure. from there I would then go on to the 15/5 pyramid as suggested.

Just my two cents,