One step further.

Ok I took the advice, acquired a Norton 1k, reset the bevels on 3 old razors, honed and got them to shave ready and shave tested.

After 1k I used 4k/8k then Naniwa 10k. Stropped with green paste on linen, then rough and smooth.

The edges I obtained are obviously ok but there's sharp and 'SHARP' if you know what I mean.

I'm just trying to attain that bit more and wondering how to get there.

How much pressure should I be using in the different stages of honing ? How light, how heavy?

Suggestions/advice please gents. Still wingin it here!

Thanks.

Check YouTube for videos by Lynn Abrams, Gssixgun (Glen) and Geofatboy. Lynn and Glen are by far the best sources for honing information. The ideal solution would be to check and see if there are any mentors in your area. Make sure that you have a benchmark for a properly honed razor, that would include having one pro honed, proper stropping and correct angles for shaving. If you don't know how to strop you can roll the edge of the blade and have a terrible shave. If your shaving technique is questionable, again you will not achieve good results. Good luck and happy shaving.

There is a lot of the SHARP that begins in the bevel set. If you leave deep stria from heavy pressure on the 1 K it will effect your final edge. Also if your bevel is not completely a perfect apex it will effect the final outcome. The subtleness of honing is really tuff to learn on your own. Meets and mentors are always the best when it comes to learning the little things. As a general thought at the end of a session with a grit the pressure should be very light. It's tough to really relay that with out being there. Also the use of a loupe to see when you are ready is super important, but it takes a lot of razors to be able to figure it out on your own. There is also the factor of practice, of which nothing can replace. Getting to the next level has no real secrets except practice and mentorship will accelerate it.

Sounds like you're doing great for your level of experience. Like RezDog said getting with a mentor for some one on one would be the best way to learn.

Practice, practice, practice. If you can find honer, then ask them for pointers.

You can also try stropping with diamond paste. It leaves a sharper edge than CrOx. Personally, I find the diamond paste a bit harsh, so after I use the diamond paste, I mellow it out with a few CrOx passes.

Below is a video by Glen helping a new honer. It will cover many of your questions, but as RezDog stressed....without a proper bevel set, the rest of your honing is pretty much fruitless. As said many times here on the forum.....90% of razor sharpening is at the bevel set. Finer grits and more expensive equipment will not make up for a bad job at the setting of the bevel.

Also here's a link to Glen's videos and you'll find vids for your hones and many others, etc..

https://m.youtube.com/results?q=gssixgun&sm=3

:gl:

Howard :)

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vxrs5kFkmJg

For pressure you never want to use enough to flex the edge or you will end up honing behind the edge. As Shaun said finishing each stone with as light a strokes as possible as this will leave shallower scratches. The most pressure will be used with bevel setting, moderate with mid range(4k) and by 8k you will literally be using weight of the blade. For the last finishing strokes I aim for perfect strokes supporting the razors weight while maintaining hone contact. It will all come together with practice. The main thing is to be happy with the shaving edge you have after that is is just icing. It is like the 8k vs 20k. I can easily get a great shaving edge from the 8k but the 20k is that bit nicer. Good luck and happy honing and shaving