Thread: stainless steel

is there anyone available to offer up some advice about honing stainless steel (other than, don't do it!)

this is really ridiculous. it's a dovo stainless steel and it's making me want to throw my naniwas against the wall!

it was quite dull to begin with, but not an old razor. it's giving me a heck of a time.

also, regarding the pyramid method. after setting the bevel with a 1k or 2k - does one jump to the 5k and work the pyramid between the 5k and 8k OR does one work the pyramid between the 2k and 5k - dry rinse repeat with the 5k to 8k?

thanks in advance
jason

have you checked if the razor shaves hair after the 1k? FRom your description it seems like you have not set the bevel right.
I have not honed stainless Dovo yet, but I have honed other stainless and to me there was no difference from carbon steel.

i must not be doing something right. i'll try it again.
thanks
jason

Jason, as many experienced honers have noted the bevel setting is the foundation of the honing process. Are you getting a positive TNT in the bevel setting process ? Once that is achieved you needn't use it again but begin to rely on the TPT and shaving hair on the arm or leg. Once the razor is keen enough to achieve a positive result with those tests begin the pyramid.

Lynn has good results with the 5/8 and I expect you will too if you are using adequate technique. The pyramid may have to be repeated. Check out this vid of Lynn honing here.

not KNOWING the feel of the TNT or TPT I'm not sure it's right. i realize that may seems silly, but hey. i forgot about the TNT, honestly, but did use the TPT. someone described the TPT as tickling...i didn't get that all. so i'm not sure what that is supposed to feel like. with regard to shaving hair...affirmative. i certainly feel the razors could be sharper, but i have no hair on either arm now. so, maybe i did okay. also, i've only honed 6 so far and the fact that i can get them as sharp as i did makes me feel okay. i just wish i could acheive the result a little faster. in time and with more questions i suppose.

I do thank all of you. having never really been on a forum - you guys are truly very helpful folks. cuttin' the learnin'curve fer the newbies...gracias.

jsbutts

Stainless steel = EVIL... RUN AWAY!!!!

I still hate the idea of honing a SS blade... I think I'd send it out if I had one ... But thats me

My test for a set bevel after the 1k is that the razor can shave arm hair at skin level. Until it can do that, I dont move off the 1k.

As Jimmy says, you really need to get the bevel set right otherwise you'll end up with a nicely polished dull edge!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by jsbutts

not KNOWING the feel of the TNT or TPT I'm not sure it's right. i realize that may seems silly, but hey. i forgot about the TNT, honestly, but did use the TPT. someone described the TPT as tickling...i didn't get that all. so i'm not sure what that is supposed to feel like. with regard to shaving hair...affirmative. i certainly feel the razors could be sharper, but i have no hair on either arm now. so, maybe i did okay. also, i've only honed 6 so far and the fact that i can get them as sharp as i did makes me feel okay. i just wish i could acheive the result a little faster. in time and with more questions i suppose.

I do thank all of you. having never really been on a forum - you guys are truly very helpful folks. cuttin' the learnin'curve fer the newbies...gracias.

jsbutts

With the TNT a dull blade will skate across the nail as if it were glare ice. As an edge develops keenness it will pull as it goes across the nail. A well set bevel will feel as if it is digging in as you pull it across (lightly with only the weight of the blade). Using the TNT it may feel sharp for parts of the blade but dull for other portions. It may feel rough. Good to have a microscope or eye loupe to check the quality of the edge at that point. When it is uniformly smooth and digging in your ready to check with the arm/leg hair and the TPT.

For the TPT , as Randydance suggested to me a while back, using a known sharp edge such as a new DE or single edge blade will give you the idea on how it should feel. As in the TNT on a dull edge your thumb pad will skate along the edge. With a keen edge it will catch, or feel as if it wants to dig in. Getting to know these tests will help cut the time it takes to hone an edge as you'll have a better idea where you are as you are progressing.

My Dovo stainless will take a tad more time than carbon steel but nothing that drastic. I have some hard carbon steel that takes way more time to hone than stainless.

Originally Posted by jsbutts

is there anyone available to offer up some advice about honing stainless steel (other than, don't do it!)

this is really ridiculous. it's a dovo stainless steel and it's making me want to throw my naniwas against the wall!

it was quite dull to begin with, but not an old razor. it's giving me a heck of a time.

also, regarding the pyramid method. after setting the bevel with a 1k or 2k - does one jump to the 5k and work the pyramid between the 5k and 8k OR does one work the pyramid between the 2k and 5k - dry rinse repeat with the 5k to 8k?

thanks in advance
jason

Jason you never said exactly what is the problem?
giving you heck of a time? what is the exact your problem then we can help you more.
GL
example blade doesn't get sharp enough?
anything else. so on