Thread: New razor set problems

Thanks for all your advice.

I will look into getting a junk blade, until then I am going take the following steps:

1. Try lapping my Norton 4k/8k (I haven't done that because I thought it should be good out of the book. Maybe that is a bad assumption.) I found waterproof 600 grit and 1500 grit. Will either of these work?

2. Try doing a conservative pyramid with no pressure. I may have been using too much pressure and just grinding the edge away.

3. Get a microscope as recommended on the forum to examine the edge.

Does this sound like a good plan?

When I am honing do I want to keep the stone clean all the time or does the metal slurry help?

Thanks,

David

You should lap the norton, if it's not flat then you're just grinding away for naught. The 600 grit wet/dry is what I used. Mark the surface in a grid pattern with a pencil, soak the stone and paper, then lap in an X pattern until all the marks are gone, then lap a few more times for good measure.

You can use a little pressure when honing, just enough to keep the blade flat on the stone. Watch the ripple in front of the blade to let you know that it's in contact along the entire edge.

Let the slurry accumulate until you're done. But keep the stone wet - a small spray bottle is good for this.

Its overhoned, no doubt about it. Just for your edification, it started out sharp and then you rolled the edge and then honed over the top of that. Lap the Norton with wet/dry sandpaper and try to assess the edge. Its overhoned so start with that.

You need to learn to hone. Find a method that you want to follow. Either lots of reading, a skype session with Randy, send it out to be honed, whatever. I don't think you should start honing away with Pyramids with no idea what your doing, but thats up to you, you can if you want ofcourse.

Heres honing in a nutshell . . . or honing for dummies, which obviously you are not so just pretend ok? :-)

Lap a hone - get the tool flat

Assess the edge - a microscope works well, check for thumb tests too.

Hone with the razor FLAT! Maintain the same angle and pressure and stroke the razor exactly the same distance on each side

Learn when to stop! This is one of the challenges, test shaving is a good default

Think of it as a "Release" Just a dab of pressure, then light pressure, then lighter pressure, then really light pressure, then no pressure - Learning when and how is the key, try putting your pinky under the scales to hold the scales up while you hone so you don't have to push down on the razor to keep it flat.

Think of the 4K as the bevel creator, it removes steel, and the 8K as the polishing edge. If it were me I would spend more time polishing then removing metal, by a wide margin. Pyramids get things close though.

Go slow, take your time. Keep the blade flat. Use the right amount of pressure, learn how to use an x pattern toward the end. You want the metal to sweep behind the edge without tearing the edge up. Keep the angle the same. You want to create smooth, small striated teeth.

Remember its about a slow, progressive release of pressure. That might mean you need to add a dab of pressure to get past a sticking point and then start to "release" again as you stroke. Eventually, just the weight of the blade should be plenty. Remember, your creating a razors edge. Think fragile, but don't let anyone tell you that every stroke should be without control or pressure on the edge.

Study up and have fun!

Learn to strop, getting the edge smooth helps you assess the edge by shaving. Keep it flat, use a light touch, don't lift the blade. A dab of pressure to achieve a draw can help but keep the blade flat.

I have lapped with 600 and 1500 grit. This worked well. I got a shavable edge going. It is not perfect but getting close.

Thanks for all your advice. I am starting to get a feel for honing. I think you just have to do it for a while to figure it out.

I'm sure my edge was overhoned.

David

Thanks for all your help and advice.

I lapped my Norton with 600 and 1500 grit. This produced good results.

I am getting a shavable edge. I am on my way to figuring out how to hone.

I think I am getting stropping figured out as well. The real test is shaving. No luck with HHT.

David

Don't fret the HHT. Many of us don't use it, and have found other substitute tests. As for the shaving edge, you may want to invest in a pasted paddle with 1 micron and 0.5 micron sides. This is an inexpensive way to achieve a very fine, very sharp edge beyond what the 8k norton can produce. I can get a decent shaving edge from the norton, but I can't get a *great* edge with it.