question to hone masters?

I hone all of my razors. I used three methods or steps, I used Lynn's pyramid method it sound logical and it works. I used the 1k, 4k, 8k, 12k, .5 micron chromium oxide paste, .25 micron diamond paste, newspaper, linen, cotton, latigo and horsehide strop. I tried 1k, 4k, 8k, .5 micron. .25 micron, latigo and horsehide strop. All of these method or steps gave me the same edge and the same great shave. So use the shortest method or steps in honing my SR. Anyone out there has a different method or steps let me know. I tried the Castle Forbes cedarwood and sandalwood essential oil shaving cream from shavingshop.com (John Crowley) and it works great. All you need is a dab in the brush and it lastsl the entire shave. A note of regret, I was not able to purchase Robert Williams damascus/ivory razor for sale at $650. I was 5 minutes too late. Juan.

1k
3.5k
6k
12k
1mic - optional
.5 mic - optional
linen 60
leather 100

4K

8K

Strop

No kidding . . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

4K

8K

Strop

No kidding . . .

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Not to say that I am a hone master but ..... I like to do that too for openers using Lynn's pyramid. As Randydance told me, if you shave off of the 4/8 you know that you are sharp enough or you have to go back and dial it in.

If I'm getting a good shave after the 4/8 I will finish on a finer hone and which one depends on my mood and the particular razor. Sometimes Escher or coticule and sometimes Shapton pro.

Sometimes I set a bevel with a DMT 1200 or a Shapton 1k followed by 2k and then go BBW/slurry followed by yellow coti with water only.

Sometimes pyramid (after bevel set as above) with Shapton pro 5/8 followed by shap pro 15 and maybe 30 if I feel ambitious.... cause I have them. :)

Ohhhh, I thought he said he wanted to hone faster! :)

To hone faster read the One Coticule thread.

One Coti no line no waiting.

I rather be shaving than honing. We all can spend long time honing our razors from 1k, 2k, 3.5k, 4k, 6k, 8k, 12k, 1.mic, .5mic, .25mic, newspaper, linen, cotton, latigo and horsehide. At the end you will have the same edge and shaving results. Spend more time shaving, that is the purpose of the razor.

One good thing about having a progression such as
1,2,4,8k for sharpening is that it goes quickly once
the bevel is properly set. More hones doesn't always
mean more time... :)

- Scott

If you get the blade to pop hairs off your bevel setter everything else is just polishing (smaller scratches) for a smoother shave. Courser stones cut faster, obviously. Remove metal using any stroke that does it best (circles or what ever) them take as few laps as needed to get the edge. If you need more that 15, maybe 20 laps your bevel isn't set yet. Next hone up I do circles or back and forth to polish the edge/bevel and reset the edge w/ 10 to 15 laps. Same up to and including the 8k. Anything above that is mainly polishing so just laps to keep the edge and bring it to a polish the stone can provide.

Keep the hones as clean as possible. Metal on metal doesn't cut, it rubs and may cause micro chipping. Clean hones cut faster and polish faster.

Use lots of water w/ a few drops of soap. Lather will help keep the hones clean by suspending the metal removed off the hone, well a lot if it.

This works on most blades. There is always one here and there that requires a change in approach. That's where experience come into play. :gl:

Bingo! I am trying that next time. I use a spray bottle to keep the stones wet. A little dawn will do you. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by juannaredo

I tried 1k, 4k, 8k, .5 micron. .25 micron, latigo and horsehide strop. All of these method or steps gave me the same edge and the same great shave. So use the shortest method or steps in honing my SR. Anyone out there has a different method or steps let me know.

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Alan is right
1k is not necessary on a good razor with proper bevel
if you spend a lot of time with the 12k, .5u and .25u it means your edge off 8k is not good enough.
the answer to your question, how to minimize honing time is actually by honing more.
lynn hones as fast and with so few strokes as he does because he has the developed the skills by honing a lot of razors.
so yeah, it's a catch-22 in a way.

4K if it is really dull
8K to thumb pad test
Polish on pasted strop (0.5 micron diamond paste) sometimes
Strop
Shave.

This works for me, but then I am not into major restoration so I don't need to worry about setting bevels etc.

If my bevel is set I use a bbw/coticule combo.... Coticule w/water to finish....Then some croOx on balsa if I'm feeling crazy... Then to the strops (newspaper first if I use croOx... Don't want my Tm latigo turning green).

I hone my razors on either natural stones (when I feel like a belgian fix) or Shaptons if I'm feeling more systematic. The blue belgian brings a dull edge up quickly and the coticule finishes it off. Strop with natural leather and I'm good to go. The Shaptons I use (for new razors or not so sharp razors) are the 8k, 16k, and 30k, joint on the edge and shave. No stropping needed. If I'm restoring a vintage razor, I have gone all the way down to 500grit Shapton and then on up. To me the most important thing is to set the bevel correctly.

My philosophy is to hone minimally. Less chance of things going awry. I get my razors sharp and then keep them there every week with a few licks from a stone. I keep a coticule/blue bout in my medicine cabinet so I don't have to go to the basement shop. Keeps me well shaven!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

4K

8K

Strop

No kidding . . .

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+1

Booyah!