Thread: Hones/bevel setting

Hi everybody and thanks for the welcomes in the beginners intros.

I have the following stones 'Ice Bear' 800 and 6k Japanese water stones, Norton 4k/8k, Naniwa 10k and a Belgian coticule.

I want to try and set the bevel on several old razors I have.

I suspect the 800 would be ok for this but then its quite a big jump to the Norton 4k and on and up to shave ready.

Can anyone advise please.

The 800 should be OK for bevel setting. I would only recommend firm pressure. Going from there to the 4K should be no problem.

Hone on.........

Ok thanks Lynn, most of the razors I've got have different signs and degrees of wear and some don't seem to have any bevel at all and basically blunter than spatula !!! Whats the best course of action with these ? Is it worthwhile to bother with them or bin??

Originally Posted by Lynn

The 800 should be OK for bevel setting. I would only recommend firm pressure. Going from there to the 4K should be no problem.

Hone on.........

Originally Posted by jr57

Ok thanks Lynn, most of the razors I've got have different signs and degrees of wear and some don't seem to have any bevel at all and basically blunter than spatula !!! Whats the best course of action with these ? Is it worthwhile to bother with them or bin??

In case Lynn doesn't see this...

Dull razors with no bevel are not necessarily candidates for the bin. Other factors of condition have to be considered. If a bevel is completely lacking, then you simply will need to spend more time on the 800 in order to fully set the bevel. Only after that is accomplished is there any point in moving on to the Norton 4k.

No bevel means little. I routinely blunt razors I'm restoring so I don't cut myself or remove the bevel while fixing chips or edge profile issues. Just means you need to create a bevel. No different than normal bevel setting just more work.

Glad you're settling in and enjoying your shaving jr57. I was lucky enough when I started to meet up with a honemeister who lives pretty close to me. After an hour with him, I decided I'd try to hone my own razors. I bought a set of Naniwas. I feel I get a superb edge on my razors, but just maybe a honemeister would achieve an edge even better. My edges shave great, no discomfort, no burn. Since you've already got your stones, then give it a go. If you find that you're not achieving great results, then you can send razors out. You've got nothing to lose. Buy a lighted loupe from EBay. They're only a couple of quid and they're ideal for checking your edges during your progression up through the stones/grits. It'll take out some guess work. Another issue is whether or not to tape the spine. Some do. Some don't. I do. As with all matters on here, YMMV. Different strokes for different folks! The end result is what matters - your shave. Good luck.

The 800 would do it, and that Norton is effectively a 2.5K/5K when converted to JIS grit ratings, so you're very well set from bevel to polish.

Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest you get with an experienced honer before possibly damaging your blades. Pics would help.

Here is a link to find members in your area. Putting your town in Scotland would help.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

Don't know what the experts will tell you. I set the bevel on 300 diamond hone then 200 diamond hone. Now I go straight to a 6000 Japanese water stone to a 12,000 Japanese oil stone. Finish on canvas strop with paste then leather strop. Never had a problem. Let's face it, barbers in the 1700,S & 1800,S I am sure only had a few homes unlike today.

Hi '57,

'Glad you've chosen quality for your shaves. It really is a rush of excitement.

In my excitement, I also tried to learn how to shave with a straight at the same time I learned how to hone. I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone I liked. I'm guessing from your join date that you're new to straight shaving. If that's not true - pls. ignore this post.

You'll see alot of posts that recommend having your early edges honed by a pro. I would tend to agree. My earliest edges that 'shaved' at all - were rather carnivorous. The shaves were a challenge - to stay bloodless. That's why I'm called Pinklather. I bought a new blade that came honed and it flat changed my world -as far as shaving and honing went. It was way more sharp than I'd been able to do - but more - it was SMOOTH. Smooth was a very new attribute for me and I launched on the quest for the magic stone that gave this wonderful edge. That quest wasn't not particularly well aimed either, but that's another story.

I'd recommend the pro edge. But knowing I ignored this advice also, I would strongly urge you to find an experienced person to spend some time with on developing a sound stroke. The sound stroke is alot harder to develope than it sounds. I always remember Lynn describing this to anther new shaver: "when you learn what a 'no pressure' stroke is..." Next, the sound bevel. At this point, you don't have the 'feel' or skills to know what that is, so I'd recommend having an experienced guy (pro or other) set a bevel on a 2nd or 3rd blade so you can know how the blade is supposed to feel when riding the stone normally. Keep one or two blades that have been honed by a pro (or that level of quality) so you have a known standard against which to measure your progress. I paid to have one honed for this purpose & don't regret it.

Next big error for me was thinking I could recognize a blade that was in sound shape at the antique shows or shops. (I don't do fleabay) Avoid these like the plague for now. They involve restoration grinding that you'll master - but not for a while - like 6-9 months.

5 yrs & just under 500 blades honed - I still concentrate on a sound bevel & a sound stroke. I chase the elusive perfect bevel. If you were local, I'd say c'mon over & we'd have some fun w/ the stones. I've done that with at least a dozen guys - many of whom I expect will surpass my skill level. I hope they do and go on to teach many others.

I hope this will not be discouraging, but help you avoid some frustration and blood loss. The skills will come, and you'll be on top of the world when your first decent edges happen. You'll have every right to be proud & I'll be cheering.