Thread: Hone Opinions?

Rather than starting a new thread, I thought I would just continue here. I got the hones this week and tried them out on about 6 razors. Thought I'd share my results. This morning I tested two of the razors out, a Clauss and one that says Hollow Ground Germany on the shank with foreign writing on the blade. The Clauss just skimmed over the hair and didn't even try to cut. The German razor did very well. I liked it so well that I went ahead and did my entire shave with it. The progression I used on all of these razors was pretty much like the one Mr. Abrams does on the homepage video. Circles then x's on 1k, two sets of circles (light pressure, then no pressure) then x's on the 4k, x's on the 8k, x's on the 12k, diamond on felt, then leather. Before I got all the new stuff, I had tried honing the German razor on the 4k/8k Norton, using pyramids, but it didn't shave at all. Now, after going down to 1k, and up through the progression, it shaves very well. I am extremely happy with these new stones. Attached are pics of the razors tested today. First, the Clauss, then the German razor. (thought I had a better pic of the Clauss, Sorry...)

James

Bandman, if it won't shave arm hair along the entire edge off the 4k, you need to keep on working the bevel. The 8K & 12K do more polishing to the edge than sharpening.

Interesting thread-
I have been pondering the question of a finishing stone also-
I have the Norton 220/1K & 4/8K and wondered if I would feel any real
improvement with a 12+K stone-

Currently after I use the 8K and strop, never use the linen side I get a fine shave if I manage to properly prepare da face- I fail at that often.

So it plenty sharp now just wondered what sort of edge I may be missing

Trust me an 8k stone does a good job at getting an edge shaving sharp, but IME nothing beats a jnat edge finished on chrome ox. I know chrome ox can have a lower grit than jnats but I like the way it feels when used as a finisher better than just using the jnat and stropping.

Might have to step up one more stone then-

Regarding the Chrome Ox and diamond sprays I do not know anything about them nor how they are applied. I can only guess it either the linen strop or to wool or felt paddle material- clueless -
Additionally, even though I have read the micron to grit conversion paper I have not put pencil to pad to figure where the sprays et al fall in that realm- figure it might be above 25K and higher. It sounds like a fine idea.

However, in many things more is better but certainly not in everything and I wonder if that applies to honing also (blasphemy I am sure) as far as risk vs return goes- The 'ol overdo then redo cycle

Wow, thanks for the replies. I'm really just getting in to the honing thing, so I need all the help I can get. I tested two more of the razors this morning, with no luck on either. I think I was doing better before with just the Norton 4k/8k. Maybe I'm just trying to rush through the lower grits too much? Anyway, 1 out of 4 turned out good so far... This morning I tested the Puritan and J R Torrey. Neither did very well, but I did buy these razors to practice my honing, so I guess I'm off to a start... They are sharper now than when I got them. I have a Dovo Ebony Spike Point that I got not long ago from Vintage Blades, honed by Lynn, that I use as my reference point. This morning I tried the Puritan on one side... no luck. Then the Torrey on the other side... no luck. Then picked up the Dovo and shaved... Here are the ones I tested today, first Puritan, then Torrey. (BTW these pics were made before honing...)

Originally Posted by Oldfalguy

Might have to step up one more stone then-

Regarding the Chrome Ox and diamond sprays I do not know anything about them nor how they are applied. I can only guess it either the linen strop or to wool or felt paddle material- clueless -
Additionally, even though I have read the micron to grit conversion paper I have not put pencil to pad to figure where the sprays et al fall in that realm- figure it might be above 25K and higher. It sounds like a fine idea.

However, in many things more is better but certainly not in everything and I wonder if that applies to honing also (blasphemy I am sure) as far as risk vs return goes- The 'ol overdo then redo cycle

I used diamond spray on wool felt. It's a really painless process to apply, just spray a thin coat on and let it dry.
As far as micron conversion, I am also clueless.

IME so far, I'd say just make sure it shaves off the 8k, then worry about finishing. (sounds like some advice I should take...)

James