Thread: How to set a perfect bevel ?

Was not.

Questions were to the OP.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Im not sure if you were talking to me but Ive been honing since october 2012. I use chosera 3k lately. It cuts plenty fast. I have a 600 and 1k also.

I use a 800 grit noname water stone to set the bevel, but ordered a Naniwa 1k from Japan some days ago.
I hone seldom. I've got a Norton 4/8k about 2 years ago, but I didn't use it much - I shave mostly with DE razors.
I decided to shave with straights in the weekends, so I'll hone them frequently from now on.

Originally Posted by Lynn

What stone are you using to set the bevels here?

How long have you been honing straight razors?

The 800 should be fine to set the bevel. The razors look like the pressure you are putting on them is heavier in the middle of both blades. Can't see if the back side matches. What technique are you using to set the bevels?

With the black handled Harry's Razor, I tried strict X pattern, starting with some pressure equal (I think) all the way the spine and ending up with very light pressure (about 50 strokes each way = 100). Continued with the Norton (about 30-40 each way = 60-80).
Finished with a Welsh 8-10k with water and thick Coticule slurry, adding water, so after about 50 strokes each way (100), I ended up with water only.
HHT in the middle of the blade only.
An other day, I started all over again. This time with 'smiling' X pattern, trying, to move the pressure from the bottom to the top of the spine on each stroke. Same result
Maybe I should try the second method again, this time starting with some more pressure and make some more strokes on the 800, or maybe wait for the 1k Naniwa, or maybe try them both ?

The razors are showing uneven pressure wear. I would test your bevel before going to the 4K/8K. There are a number of videos showing both X strokes and circles for setting bevels. Once the bevel is set correctly, then finish honing and shave test with the razor. Honing takes practice and if this is just the first time you are trying, keep at it. It may take a few more tries. I would not recommend rolling X's until you get a couple honed using a method keeping the razor flat on the hone first as you will be even more prone to uneven pressure during the learning process on rolling strokes.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Winblows

With the black handled Harry's Razor, I tried strict X pattern, starting with some pressure equal (I think) all the way the spine and ending up with very light pressure (about 50 strokes each way = 100). Continued with the Norton (about 30-40 each way = 60-80).
Finished with a Welsh 8-10k with water and thick Coticule slurry, adding water, so after about 50 strokes each way (100), I ended up with water only.
HHT in the middle of the blade only.
An other day, I started all over again. This time with 'smiling' X pattern, trying, to move the pressure from the bottom to the top of the spine on each stroke. Same result
Maybe I should try the second method again, this time starting with some more pressure and make some more strokes on the 800, or maybe wait for the 1k Naniwa, or maybe try them both ?

Thanks Lynn !

I think, that I found a solution for better bevel setting. I used to hone at the sink in my kitchen. Now, I moved my hone business to my TV corner on my tea/coffee table. Honing and watching TV is a good mix I think. Never the less, I spent about 1 hour setting the bevel at the Harry's Razor sitting in my sofa.
The bevel look's much better now ...



, ... I'll continue on my Welsh with Coticule slurry.

Does look better. Remember not to press too hard, and don't press straight down, like you're pressing the spine through the stone. That may be causing the blades edge to flex a bit causing the pressure to spread unevenly. Instead, torque the pressure to the edge. Keep the spine flat as always you should, and slightly, very slightly (if using your right hand) pretend to "push" or roll the pressure to the very edge of the blade face. remember this is a little pressure, never bare down or you will lift the spin. Glen has a good youtube vid that explains this "honing a smiling wedge" for a visual demo.