Thread: Can anyone recommend a honing routine for the supplies I have?

Originally Posted by sttaffy

Wow, fast replies.

Some more info -
I am going edge-first on the films.
I do have high quality PSA-backed wet/dry sandpaper that I have used for plane blades, in 800, 1200, 1500 and 2k grits. Maybe I could use these to set a bevel? Or would a cheapo 1k stone be better for my purposes?

I wouldn't use a "cheapo" stone for _anything_ involving a straight razor.

Wet-or-dry sandpaper (400 or 1000 grit) works fine to set bevels.

One note:

. . . If you're using a honing motion (edge leading), either glue the sandpaper
firmly down to the base, or only tape down the edge closest to you, and put a thin film of water underneath the paper (or film).

If you tape down two edges (near and far), you may get a bubble if the paper stretches, and that will change your honing angle (or wreck the edge completely).

. Charles

One more thing:

With a smiling blade, you might be better with a _rolling_ stroke than with an X-stroke.

That is, start with all the weight on the heel (so the heel is on the stone), and, as you move up the stone, transfer the weight to the toe (so the toe is on the stone).

I think Glen (gssixgun) has a video on this technique. And I think he says that the razor shouldn't lift, but only the pressure should change.

In my (limited) experience, with a real smiling blade, if the heel is on the stone, the toe will be in the air. And vice versa.

. . Charles