Thread: 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

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

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

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

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