Thread: Almost Shave Ready?

You can get a good shaving edge off the 8k, though the 15k is awfully nice. But I agree that it's complicating things for you - you need to get a handle on the 4k and 8k before you worry about the higher grits.

BTW, I did popped a wire edge off into my 15k a week ago (that Koeller ) and finally got the last piece of steel dug out of the hone the day before yesterday. Lots of tweezing and microscope work... Those hardwood paddles have really made me sloppy, and it's gonna take awhile to work through it.

Originally Posted by mparker762

BTW, I did popped a wire edge off into my 15k a week ago (that Koeller ) and finally got the last piece of steel dug out of the hone the day before yesterday. Lots of tweezing and microscope work... Those hardwood paddles have really made me sloppy, and it's gonna take awhile to work through it.

mmmm.....How can I know if I dug some steel in my hone ?

I'm sure I saw small pieces of steel while honing that day.....How can I be sure my stone is fine?

This may be stupid question, but what is the thumbnail test?

Originally Posted by bujinkan1

This may be stupid question, but what is the thumbnail test?

The only stupid question is the one unasked.

Drag the edge very lightly over a wet thumbnail to feel how it grips or slides. It feels just like fingernails on a chalkboard sounds
and only tells me enough to know if I've overhoned or if there's a micro nick in the blade so I don't bother with it most of the time.

X

Keep checking what's happening with the edge under magnification. It's the only way to really see what is affecting the steel. You can also look at your hone to see if there is any steel in there. How'd you do that anyway?