First off hello friends! I've lurked this site a long time and never posted, but I broke down today and made an account...

So for honing ive been using a norton 4/8k, .3 mic lapping film on polished marble with a beveled edge, and the balsa from whipped dog. and i have a normal leather strop un-pasted..

1st off i cannot seem to get past hht (i get light violin/or a really "forced" cut of the hair) on the 8k without a few passes on the strop is that normal? Although after stropping i have had a FAIRLY decent shave off of the 8k on a gold dollar,and a wester bro's.

and 2nd off, i'd really like to replace the lapping film with a stone, and i really like the way the yellow coticule sounds, but in all honesty, am i going to be disappointed coming off of the lapping film edge? the film has no mojo and im not a big fan of the feedback on it.

3rd, how picky should you be on a bevel setter, i would rather not fully bevel set a razor again on the 4k as it took forever and i really like that stone so i dont want to wear it out too fast. is a king 1k sufficient or should i shoot for a more quality set up?

and finally, is the balsa wood a long term keeper or is a pasted strop far superior for a CrOx/IrOx set up?

my edges are getting better each try because of all the lurking on other peoples threads, but i figured i needed some help finally.


All input is appreciated!