hone to set the bevel

Hi everyone:I need some advice regarding which hone to purchase for setting a bevel on my straight razor. I have accumulated a few straight razors over the last few months and I am having a heck of a time getting my most expensive straight razor to shave well. My best razor is a Boker that I have found for $20 at a garage sale while I'm having a hell of a time getting my new $300 Theirs Issard to be as sharp or smooth as my other razors. I am thinking I need to get a 1000 grit hone to reset the bevel. I currently have a Norton 4000/8000 and a C12000. I attempted to set the bevel with the 4000 grit stone but have had no luck. I don't want to spend too much money on another stone. I have found the King 1000 grit stone for cheap. Is this stone acceptable for straight razors or am I just going to create more problems.Thanks,Aaron

I've used a King Ice Bear 1200 for many years as one of my bevel setters. It works fine

I've heard of some guys that go as low as a 600 grit with success. You just have to know when the bevel is set, so you can stop honing. 1000 grit is the accepted norm by most.

I've used the Naniwa superstone and the Professional lines 1000 grit stones. They have different feeling and prices (superstone being kinda soft and rubbery whereas the professional is harder). That being said, it is doable to set the bevel on the 4k, it is just time consuming. To help you with your bevel setting, I have some questions.

1) what's your price range?
2) How are you checking the bevel?
3) Do you use any kind of magnification to observe the progress of the honing?
4) Do you maintain the surface of the hone?
5) Are you using tape or no? (Not starting a tape vs. no tape, if you use it, replace it often)

You should be able to set a bevel on your 4k Norton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53SL9QMq6I#t=58

Generally, if it's just a bevel set, I'll use a Norton 1k. If there are nicks/chips, maybe a 800 Norton.

1) I want to spend as little as possible.
2) check bevel under magnification/ once it looks smooth and cuts arm hair well I continue on honing to the next stage (used only Norton 4000 to set bevel but takes a long time)
3) I have a 60X zone jewelery thingy with light
4)I maintain the surface of the stone with DMT
5) using tape and replace it when needed.

im open to any adivse

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Originally Posted by Wirm

You should be able to set a bevel on your 4k Norton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53SL9QMq6I#t=58

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With a brand new TI all you should need is your 4K Norton to set the bevel. I use a 1K Nani for vintage razors with very bad edges, chipped, pitted and the like. There is no way a new TI should be in that bad a shape to need a 1K hone to set the bevel. OTH a 1K Nani will get you there faster.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aaron27

1) I want to spend as little as possible.
2) check bevel under magnification/ once it looks smooth and cuts arm hair well I continue on honing to the next stage (used only Norton 4000 to set bevel but takes a long time)
3) I have a 60X zone jewelery thingy with light
4)I maintain the surface of the stone with DMT
5) using tape and replace it when needed.

im open to any adivse

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Check to make sure the bevels are meeting all along the edge. If you can see light reflected off the every edge the bevels are not meeting there and not set. Smooth and shiny bevels do not necessarily a bevel set make.

Bob

I think a king 1000 is good for set bevel if razor need a new honing.
Probably is low for restore edge but good enough for the work.
About point 5) better if you replace it when you change stone especially at low grit

It's been a while since I owned a TI razor and believe they do come with a factory shave ready edge. I found it really wasn't all that good of an edge. As far as re setting the bevel if my memory serves me right, I found it to be a bit harder than most new razors. The steel was real hard so I'm not so sure if that 4K is up to the task. As far as getting a "cheap" bevel setter, why? The bevel setter is, imo, THE most important stone you will ever buy.

I think a really good bang for the buck 1K is the Naniwa Traditional stone. Very consistent and reliable results.

Have fun.

I have to echo the fact that, as long as you're not dealing with major pitting or other edge issues, the Norton 4k is a great and very smooth bevel setter. I started doing it after watching Lynn's video on doing it with circles, and watching him do it in person at the Asheville meetup. It's a very reliable and repeatable method when followed up with the usual careful x-strokes to even things out.

Having said that, I am trying to scrape together the cash to get the Chosera 1k, which by all accounts is the king of 1k bevel-setters. I know from working with one a couple of times that it is the best one I have experience with-very smooth, and doesn't feel like a 1k at all.

The King will work just fine, but they are a bit soft, if you are buying new, spend the extra 10 buck and buy the Naniwia Traditional.

You can easily set a bevel on a 4k, with just a bit of pressure. If the razor has had a bevel set and you are not making repairs, you should be able to reset a bevel on a 4k.

It sounds like you are going to be getting into repair work, if so a 1k is a solid investment.

Thanks guys. It looks like I "have to" buy another hone. 😜

The last new TI I honed had a really poor geometry from the factory. I needed a 320 grit stone to get it started but 1k is usually enough.

Buy the Naniwa professional 1k.

It's a great stone.

That's my advise.. :)

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

The last new TI I honed had a really poor geometry from the factory. I needed a 320 grit stone to get it started but 1k is usually enough.

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I did the same

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Originally Posted by Wid

I did the same

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That is enough to put me off buying a new TI.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

That is enough to put me off buying a new TI.

Bob

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But then you'll miss out on the great shave post honing :)

I ended up purchasing a king 1000 grit stone online for cheap. I couldn't find the Naniwa traditional stone for a reasonable price. The shipping to Canada was way more than the cost of the stone. It looks like some people like the king stone. If it doesn't work out for me I'll invest in a better hone. I guess this is how the HAD begins. At least I will have you guys as my support group.

Cheers

Oz and Wid are right on the money. New production TIs at the cheaper end of the scale can come with significant geometry issues and putting them right is not a trivial affair for the newcomer (ask me how I know:( ). I'd recommend sending it to a pro. Of course it won't hurt to own a 1k hone for the next razor you buy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aaron27

I ended up purchasing a king 1000 grit stone online for cheap. I couldn't find the Naniwa traditional stone for a reasonable price. The shipping to Canada was way more than the cost of the stone. It looks like some people like the king stone. If it doesn't work out for me I'll invest in a better hone. I guess this is how the HAD begins. At least I will have you guys as my support group.

Cheers

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I've found the King 1K to 1200 grit stones a very good bevel setting stone. They are a thirsty SOB but if you mix a Tablespoon of regular chlorine bleach into a gallon of distilled water and then add that to a covered plastic container you can keep them submerged for at least 6 months covered and you won't have any slime.

I've done it and I still do the same with my Norton 4/8K with no adverse results.

Be sure to lap it on some 220 or 323 sandpaper then have at it and have some fun setting some bevels! :tu

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Originally Posted by BobH

That is enough to put me off buying a new TI.

Bob

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My last T.I was a complete joke. The grind went wafer thin at one part.
I returned it and swapped it for an inspected pre sale gooden.

It is up there as one of the best razors I own. Extremely hard steel which holds an edge for a long time with an amazing feel. The only thing which lets it down is the pinning and the plastic wedge. One day I'll fix those.. :)

It should work fine for you. As others have said it is THIRSTY, no ten min soak for it, I'd give it at least an hour. They are also very good with a slurry, I use a credit card sized pocket diamond hone to make a slurry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aaron27

I ended up purchasing a king 1000 grit stone online for cheap. I couldn't find the Naniwa traditional stone for a reasonable price. The shipping to Canada was way more than the cost of the stone. It looks like some people like the king stone. If it doesn't work out for me I'll invest in a better hone. I guess this is how the HAD begins. At least I will have you guys as my support group.

Cheers

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