Thread: Enlightenment

I do not claim to be a honemeister but have honed several of my razors and am happy with the results. I use Norton 1 4 8 and finish with a Chinese 12k. Although the results are acceptable I am continuing my journey and trying to improve.

After reading many posts regarding the Chinese 12k I realized that I was not doing enough laps on it. Tonight I took one of my razors that I have honed and shaved well and went back to the 12k. I did close to 100 laps on it, then stropped with chromium oxide pastes. Stropped on linen and leather. I have to say this was a major improvement. The razor cut arm hair like a beast. I shave tested and found it to be very slick and effortless. Facial hair fell to the edge purely out of respect!!

Thanks to everyone that posts here and shares their information and experiences. Without you I would still be under-utilizing my hone.

Thats the honing setup that I just purchased. I am lapping them now. Hopefully will be able to start practicing honing on some ratty ebay blades soon.

All but two of mine are from ebay. One new Dovo and one whipped dog. Even thought they are from ebay I think they are good razors. One, a shumate peacemaker, looks brand new even though its decades old. I have been diligent in looking for "good" razors that are inexpensive there. So far have not made a bad purchase and most are under 20 bucks. I guess that's part of why I started honing, even if I screw it up, I didn't lose out on tons of money. (Still don't want to screw up though)

I picked up a Bengall from the classifieds here, but had been using a Dovo shavette for a year before. Definitely an upgrade going full straight. I have picked up quite a few ebay cheapos, some need new scales but all of them should hold a good edge. That's half the fun as far as I'm concerned. Now if I can just get the damn Nortons lapped

Mine lapped up right away with the Norton lapper. Did you lap the lapper ?

Chug congrats on the step up. I know it feels good !

I used a dmt and mine lapped quickly. Havent touched the Norton lap stone yet.

Ya, used the lapper. just one bad corner on that is still low/rough on the 1k and 4k. Haven't started on the 12k yet. Was going to hold off on the DMT, but looing better and better at the moment. Will probably try to finish out with the Norton lapping stone, if just for the experience.

Mission accomplished..... just took a little 80 grit sandpaper Got em lapped and did a smoothing lap with 600 grit. Feeling smootthhhh!