Thread: honing help

Jordan, I believe your technique is to be suspect in this case. When doing the pyramid on the 3" Norton, you are likely to underhone the middle and the heel. If I were you, I'd re-do the honing job. Here's how to establish a more even bevel:
1) Angle the blade on the hone 30 degrees
2) Go straight across starting with a bit of pressure on the heel and transitioning to the toe.
As for the honing process, I'll give you the general guidelines that I'd go by for a relatively new but unhoned blade:
1) Tape the spine
2) Do about 20-30 passes on the 4k, gradually decreasing the pressure.
3) Do the same on the 8k, also decreasing the pressure
If the blade is not sharp enough by then, take the tape off, do 3 x-patern 1-5s, but I have a variation that allows the heel to get its TLC on 3" hones: Bring the blade about 1/3 of the way across the hone before bringing it down.

And if you try all these suggestions, and it still ain't workin' for ya...send it to me. (Only 9 more to get 1000)

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions guys - I'll give them all a shot....eventually.

Joe, keep an eye out. This razor may be coming your way for some work while I flail away on some of my cheaper ones.


Jordan

I'd also recommend not using the X motion and going straight along the hone with a slight Rolling Hone motion from heel to tip. I find the edge of the hone can easily ruin several laps of good honing with one small slip.

X

Only if you don't fix up the edges with the initial lapping.

Just thought I'd report back on my progress. I had at it again this weekend. I gave up on the X pattern for this project and started going straight across at a 30-degree angle. I think poor technique on my X-pattern was a major problem here. I'll keep working the X on my practice blades though.

I did about 15 laps on the 4K then about 25 on the 8K. Tested on leg hair then another 3/5, 1/5, 1/5 and on to the pasted paddle. It seemed pretty close so I test shaved. Then did another 3/5, 1/5, 1/5 and hit the 1 and .5 on the paddle again.

I was able to complete a 2 pass shave this morning. Its fine on the cheeks and 'burns, but pulling a bit in the chin area. I'm almost there. I think I'll go a few more gentle laps on the 8K and see how we do. Thanks again for the help!

Jordan

Well done, lad!