Thread: Hone setup help!

Based on the fact that its so new I highly doubt that it needs restoration hahah but I just have a weird feeling about the flatness of the blade!

Originally Posted by tdavison

So would a Norton 1k be fine for setting the bevel?

any 1k should be OK for bevel setting especially followed by the 4/8 Norton which can be used as a bevel setter in it's own right also,
it just takes a while longer as the 4/8k is all i used for a few months practicing etc
the 1k just makes it quicker & eats a bit more steel if you srew up thats all.

there are plenty of reviews for most 1k's including the Norton, Choosera, Kings, & Naniwa's etc.
The King 1k's are at the cheeper end & also get great reviews & recomendations from some of the honing gods.

I opted for the Nainwa as a personal choice, for the reviews were all great, the price & availabilty fitted with me and there is plenty of info & videos etc using them to make them easy to learn on for me as I have no mentors in my area yet, so makes it a bit easier & think.
but all the same techniques are used on all of them pretty well so really is a mater of price & personal choice I think

The 4K should work for edges in good shape, just more slowly. Sometimes slower is safer because any problems can become apparent before a lot of metal gets removed.

Originally Posted by tdavison

Based on the fact that its so new I highly doubt that it needs restoration hahah but I just have a weird feeling about the flatness of the blade!

check the flatness against a mirror for if is hollow but your 4/8 can fix this it is all just time & number of passes to fix from there if so

Originally Posted by tdavison

..Would starting with a 4k garauntee flatness like a lower grit would?

Heh, there are no guarantees. The hand holding the razor is more important than the hone held in the hand. Also, we can't tell anything from here about the condition of the blade.

If the razor came professionally honed, ie- truly shave ready, you will probably be able to revive it starting from the 4K. If it came with a factory edge.. well, factory edges can be all over the place. Some few of them are actually shave ready while most are not even close.

I'd suggest that you send it out to be honed by a pro this time. Then use that 4K/8K Norton (the 8K side) to refresh the edge from time to time while you learn about the honing process. You may not actually need the 4K side unless you pick up other razors in need of help.



rs,
Tack

If your razor was shave ready to begin with and is dull now something like a 4/8 pyramid should bring it back and from there you should be able to maintain it with just the 8k. Just make sure to properly lap the hone. Good luck

I wouldn't buy the 220/1000 Norton for just razors. The 220 might be good for knives and chisels that are out of whack, but it's too coarse for me on razor steel. I use DMT fine/coarse if in need that much metal removed quickly.

I have one because i use Japanese cutlery and started with a combo kit.

No matter where or what hone you ever buy, you'll want a diamond lapping plate. So these days I'd gear up: DMT (coarse (325) or combo, continuous not holey), 1k, 4/8k, nice strop.

Work you way backwards if you are refreshing a shaving edge. Once a nice bevel is created, WE have the technology and know-how amongst us to keep it going indefinitely.

IOW, if you learn right (and the resources are here) there should not ever be a need to go back below 4k for any edge.

I would get Max to hone them one time then get a 12k Naniwa to keep the edge refreshed and it's an easy day