Thread: Just cant get razor sharp following Lynns video at all

Hello, ive tried following lynns video now 5 times without any success at all. I try to follow the video as close to possible everytime. The razor just isnt sharp at all. For fun when i just tried honing on the 12k with alot of preasure the sharpness increased a little. I use naniwa pro 1k,5k and super 12k

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Well,, try it another "5" times.

It may take several times before you recognize which dynamics of the process you need to adjust.

You have a big jump there from the 5 to 12K I noticed, easily doable if you are experienced enough.


If you spent more than 45 minutes in the endeavor, then you need to take a break, maybe a day or so; re-evaluate the razor as an individual & give it another try.

Ive tried over several days, maybe 10 trys in total. I see in the vid lynn can shave from 5k, man after the 5k its still as dull as when i started, i know it takes time getting good, but its as dull as before i started.

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

Ive tried over several days, maybe 10 trys in total. I see in the vid lynn can shave from 5k, man after the 5k its still as dull as when i started, i know it takes time getting good, but its as dull as before i started.

It's simple, your burned out on it. Your not going to recognize the slight errors.

Put the razor away for a while.

How about listing where you live in your profile, you may be within driving distance of a person who could teach you.

Send your razor out to a member who hones, then learn to "maintain" it with that 12K.

I was having a time when I first started honing a razor also. I too followed Lynn video and thought I was doing it exactly as shown. Turns out when I brought the blade to me it made full contact with the stone but when I pushed it away from me just before I reached the end the blade was turning up just enough to make the difference. When I corrected this it made a world of difference. also the pressure of the blade to the stone will very from one person to another. Heavy pressure is not forcing with all your might and light pressure is not feather light. It takes quite a bit of practice. Don't give up you'll get there.

Yup, put it down and walk away, had to do that several times myself.

Some razor's seem to hone themselves, and others test your patience, and it takes lots of practice to develop the right touch, and to know what your objective is other than just passing the razor over and over the stones waiting for it to feel "sharp" - you're looking at making the striations on the edges of the blade meet at the apex to form a bevel. A loupe is a must have for the beginner, and an important tool in any honer's kit.

You need to look that the edge with the loupe, make sure you have a uniform edge from heel to toe, and you can see the striations slowly creep up the edge to meet on both sides of the edge - that's your goal for bevel setting, and the loupe is your friend.

For me, when I sit down to hone, I usually just do one session to set the bevel, once that's done, the fun part begins.....but the foundation is that first bevel set.

As Hirlau say's, step away, have a goods nights rest, and ave a look again on a new day....

First check the razor to see if it has a frown, those just won't hone until you fix the frown

I see, whats the point going in circles like he does? also when going in circle with preassure, you use preassure when it comes with edge first, then remove preasure when going spine first? maybe there are some goods videos with just normal strokes and not circles?

It's a good video on honing.

You have been given great advice here.

Take it or leave it, your choice.

Honing is not paint by numbers as in do X number of this stroke and then X number of that stroke and you are done. Each razor is a bit different in what and how it needs to be honed. At first you will have difficulty assessing what that is.

You need a loupe and strong light source to see what you are doing to the edge and the hard part of that in the beginning is that you are not exactly sure what you are looking for. That is the way it was for me. You could use a black marker on the bevel and that will show you where you are missing bits on the edge.

All in all it can/is a very frustrating experience when you try to learn on your own how to hone. I did it that way and know how frustrating it is.

All that is why the advice to get together with a member for some one on one honing instruct is so valid. Placing your location in your profile will make it easier for a member to help you that way. Also the advice to leave it alone till you do not feel frustrated is solid. By repeating the same thing over and over again you will get the same crappy results. Unless you or a mentor can figure out what you are doing wrong you will not make much progress.

Bob