Sharpening question

[TCMichigander]

Hello gentlemen.. Newer member to forum and when greeted I was kindly told to ask lots of questions.. Since I have many I will spare everyone and only ask a few a week.. Today's is helping me get to that glorious razor edge of whiskers falling off the bone, hot knife thru butter, etc sharpness. I am pretty new to honing myself and have the Norton 4000/8000 and Naniwa d's 12000 stones. Before going farther I'll let you know the razors I'm working on have all been honed by either Brad at Laggards or JD Arman and have less than 15 complete shaves so bevel are good (thankfully).. Back to question. I seem to be able to get my razors quite sharable at about a #6 on sharpness scale of 0-10 but not any sharper.. The razor I'm on now is a second hand store Crown and Sword 2530 with this awesome scale that's a large antlered buck in the middle with green foliage top and bottom and Barbers Friend etched on blade face (anyone have one like this let me know as internet info came up empty).. Off subject, sorry.. So when my blade only gets to this sharpness where do I go back to trying to improve? Should I start over on the 4000 or more time on 8000/12000? Now when I bought my strop laggards said this one I don't need to use pastes or anything on fabric side so I've never used it before.. On my 10x loupe my edges seem to be pretty good but since I'm not an expert maybe I'm wrong on that?.. Anyone think I should try linen with chromium oxide or get back on the stones? I hear guys say it took them x amount of time to get blade at it's best but I'm not sure where I've maxed out at? Take this Crown for example.. I've spent hours on it with the 8000 and hours on the 12000 to my strop.. No better and didn't dull it up either.. Any suggestions greatly appreciated and sorry for lengthy post.. thanks,scott

[TCMichigander]

Maggards not Laggards.. My fat thumbs!

[RezDog]

Here is the secret to a really great edge. The magic happens on the low grit hones and then gets refined. The two sides need to meet and form a perfect apex from heel to toe. I would up the power on your loupe to 30x and read this thread.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ggestions.html

[TCMichigander]

Very informative thread to read.. Pretty easy to see the things I'm not doing and need to do.. My Loupe is max 10x so time to order new one. Is 30x as high as I should need? Also I don't have a stone under the 4000, Is the Norton 1000 a preferred precursor to the 4000? I have a number of razors that do need bevel setting that I can't work on as they sit now... thank you RezDog

[Chugach68]

I set the bevel with 1000 before I go to the 4000. It can be done with higher stones but would require more time.

[RezDog]

It seems the current top dog of bevel setters is the Chosera 1K. You can use others, but it seems most that have used many feel this is the best of them. The Norton 1K is certainly functional. I have both and prefer the Chosera. I have never had a higher loupe than 30X.

[TCMichigander]

Sounds good... Off to look for a 30x loupe and 1000k stone. Thanks you guys and if anyone knows the way out of this rabbit hole I fell into let me know.. ��

[ejmolitor37]

Were your razors honed with tape? If so, that could be creating a bit of an issue. Not a big one mind you. See if they had tape on when honed it should have tape on there when touched up as I read it this is what you are trying to do. I'd find this out before continuing. If you are honing without tape and the previous guys used tape then eventually you will get to the edge but it will take a bit longer.

[RezDog]

The rabbit hole can be very deep.
Ejmolitor37 has an interesting point.
It is actually fair
Y important for new honers to use tape. Once you can get through the bevel set without wearing out the tape you then get to the tape optional part of the skill set.
There have been a lot of new guys stuff a blade from no tape and too much spine pressure.
Going to a meet will up your game way faster and you will learn some very subtle aspects of honing.

[TCMichigander]

I'll be honest and say I'm not sure about the tape.. The razors that I do feel comfortable putting on stones are a 3 month old Aust from Maggards, Year old Dovo also from Maggards and Heljstrand bought from recommended ebay dealer ryanrod that came with great hone.. This Crown I'm working on I used the 4000 side with Lynn's video showing me the way.. No tape and bevel looks to have come about pretty good but thin.. I was nervous about taking too much off on this thin of a blade..