Thread: Newbie Honing Kit

Alright, here we go: I've got a "newbie honing kit" together: the usual DMTs (325 - 1200 - 8000 aka Coarse, Extra Fine and E-Extra Fine aka D8C, D8E and D8EE) and a coticule (and a holder for it). Also have pastes and a paddle strop in case the honing should prove successful. Also have a nice and dull, errr, I mean "shave ready" ebay special. I have some warm water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl next to the hones, on the kitchen table. All I know is that I have to slide the razor over the hone edge leading, in an X pattern so that the whole edge gets honed and that I should flip it over the spine to avoid edge damage prior to sliding it back. Wish me luck!

Kristoffer

Well... that was no good. I think the razor is crap. Could not get a decent bevel, the heel did not want to give in. Half the spine came off, though.

I would suggest electrical tape on the spine and using the marker test on the edge of the blade. This way you'll protect the spine and see if you're getting consistent contact on the edge. Are you putting any pressure on the spine? I know when setting a bevel you can get away with edge pressure, but it shouldn't be a lot of pressure and should only be on the spine. I'd try the marker test to see if you're getting even honing.

Hee Conelius you are not giving this up within two hours are you?

Get back to your hone and try again!!

to quote Bart: if its not good within 15 minutes of honing go back to a coarser hone..

Did you break in the hones? I didnt and that didnt help...It did cost a lot of wear on the spine..Do you have something to magnify the bevel. It sure helped me to see what I was doing..

I hope you learn from my mistakes and try again and again and again until you get that razor shaveready.... I realy like honing... I think I'll fix my Dorko this evening..


Maarten

Cornelius, where did you purchase the honing kit?
Anyplace online perchance?

Did you break in the hones, is the coticule lapped? Did you tape the spine? Did you use pressure on the blade()? Did you hone the blade evenly? Did you use the marker on the edge? If so what did it tell you? What progression of grits did you use? Did you review the wiki and watch the vids?

Originally Posted by Sunbane

Cornelius, where did you purchase the honing kit?
Anyplace online perchance?

Check out DMT At least 2 of the 6 retailers listed ship internationally.

The coticule I bought from Bruno in the classifieds.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you break in the hones?

Err... no. Well, I lapped the coticule on the 325 to see if it was lapped. It was. Made a thick slurry.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you tape the spine?

No.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you use pressure on the blade()?

Not initially. But then I got mad at the blade and did use pressure and Japanese style honing.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you hone the blade evenly?

Initially yes, but then I put some pressure on the heel as it didnt want to break in.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you use the marker on the edge?

No, since I could see that the heel wasnt getting honed.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

What progression of grits did you use?

DMT 325. That's it. For half an hour or so.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Did you review the wiki and watch the vids?

Yes last year.

Originally Posted by mlangstr

Did you break in the hones? I didnt and that didnt help...It did cost a lot of wear on the spine..Do you have something to magnify the bevel. It sure helped me to see what I was doing..

The 325 is probably broken in now, I set a bevel on a cheap kitchen knife. That thing was made out of rubber! I must have washed half the blade down the drain

Looking at getting a microscope for sure, but right now that's not the problem I think? Does anybody know what kind of razor this is? I think it's poorly made or warped or something.