Thread: First month

It should cut the nail surface if it has a bevel. There should be some bite, as it digs in. If it took some effort with you applying no pressure, that sounds pretty close. Back to the hone now mate, but you'll need the TPT, so wait till you're ready.
No one wants to put a straight razor into their thumb, whether they play harpichord or not! It's a safe test, just be gentle.

Thanks, ben.mid!

TPT: I think I am between 1 and 3 (not 2), as described in the wiki page. Most probably 3, but I found difficult to understand the difference between 1 and 3. In my case the thumb runs "gently" across the blade.

1. If the edge has a faint tickling sensation and just starts to grip onto your thumb pad then you are in the right neighbourhood for a shave test.
3. If the edge tickles your thumb and feels like a very sharp knife with a good cutting edge then you are not sharp enough. This sensation is usually felt coming off a medium hone like a 4,000 grit water stone.

Now should I come back to my yellow coticule? How? no slurry? How many laps? ..and I think I will have to do the TPT while honing..

Thanks!!

..up.. Suggestions about the honing required [just ideas]??

thanks!

Originally Posted by clavichord

Thanks, ben.mid!

TPT: I think I am between 1 and 3 (not 2), as described in the wiki page. Most probably 3, but I found difficult to understand the difference between 1 and 3. In my case the thumb runs "gently" across the blade.

1. If the edge has a faint tickling sensation and just starts to grip onto your thumb pad then you are in the right neighbourhood for a shave test.
3. If the edge tickles your thumb and feels like a very sharp knife with a good cutting edge then you are not sharp enough. This sensation is usually felt coming off a medium hone like a 4,000 grit water stone.

Now should I come back to my yellow coticule? How? no slurry? How many laps? ..and I think I will have to do the TPT while honing..

Thanks!!

Use your coticule with water (no slurry) as a finisher. Don't be too concerned about over honing. Many people say that you can't overhone on a coticule. The actual number of laps is hard to say... every razor and coticule is different. My particular coticule is very slow. I usually need 150 laps on it. Yours might be faster, and require less. The nice thing about the coticule, though, is that you can go ahead and do, say, 200 (or more) laps on it without worry about overhoning.