Thread: next step to fine shape

My only razor is a low price low quality twistet and bent blade one. When I realize it I bought a pre sharpened good one but I couldnt wait it to arrive, so I start to work on the first one with my 4/8 Norton Stone. Working on this bad razor Im a kind of mastering on honing and setting a bevel. I could achieve a reasonable sharp that at least alouds me to shave quite normaly. Im glad I bought this bad razor and I wonder what I could achieve with a good razor now. (the second razor didnt arrive yet.)
The question: Which is the next step ? How can I go further to achieve even a finest Sharp ? A 12 norton ? A coticule ? A Paste ? The 8/4 norton should be enought ?
Thanks

Originally Posted by DarioT

My only razor is a low price low quality twistet and bent blade one. When I realize it I bought a pre sharpened good one but I couldnt wait it to arrive, so I start to work on the first one with my 4/8 Norton Stone. Working on this bad razor Im a kind of mastering on honing and setting a bevel. I could achieve a reasonable sharp that at least alouds me to shave quite normaly. Im glad I bought this bad razor and I wonder what I could achieve with a good razor now. (the second razor didnt arrive yet.)
The question: Which is the next step ? How can I go further to achieve even a finest Sharp ? A 12 norton ? A coticule ? A Paste ? The 8/4 norton should be enought ?
Thanks

The cheapest way to add some more keeness would be paste.

A Chinese hone is another inexpensive option, but you'll find pastes easier when new to honing, & as Ben said, very cheaply. Get some balsa & read a bit about it if you go that route.

The opinions vary in this subject. While some think that the 4k/8k is all you need to keep your razors sharp, others prefer using a polishing stone (some of these sell for astronomical prices), pastes or a combination of both. I have a Chinese 12k and some diamond spray 0.5um. I use both in that order after the 4k/8k. One thing to keep in mind if you use the 12k is to form a slurry, I have gotten much better results using it this way, it is very slow though (50 or more strokes). I also use the diamond spray to touch up the razors from time to time.

Al raz.

A 4 sided paddle strop pasted on 3 or 4 sides would compliment your 4k/8k set up. You can choose pastes what will bridge the gap between your 8K stone and leather strop. It will come in handy in keeping your blades sharp a long time before they need some time on your Norton Stone.

I don't have a honing stone at all, just the 4 sides pasted strop and it may be more than 1-2 years before any of my straights need to be honed by a stone. My set up is .50/1.0/3.0 and after six months, I have just started to integrate a few passes on the 1.0 paste.

This has been very effective in keeping my blades sharp.

Pabster

Here's a link to making your own balsa paddle strop.