Thread: Moving backwards to get the best

I'm actually trying to go backwards. I basically started honing to a esher level and I'm looking to go back and make sure than I do actually get the best of every hone instead of progressing through 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, esher. So if I take a razor that is shave ready to a higher grit eg 12k and put it back on the 8k will the edge degrade back to an 8k edge or do I really need to take it back further and work up to 8k. Thanks for your help. Ed

Your the one doing the experiment :<0) I would do the go back first and try it. Then the other way. There maybe 2 different results. Then you can tell us and you will know the difference first hand.

If you really want to get the best out of every stone then dull the blade on a glass bottle. Then set the bevel on your 1k then test shave. If it shaves then go to the 5k do your work on it till you think you done then test shave. Then go to the 8 k do your work on that then test shave.

There a thread out there about the 1k shave that will give you more info.

If you go down in grits the edge will grade down to that grit.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If you go down in grits the edge will grade down to that grit.

I knew the simple answer was coming. And that, You can put in the memory bank.
What I am wondering now is why backwards ?

When I started I read up and knew going to the escher would give a nice edge. I never stopped along the way to shave test the edges. I wouldnt shave test a 1k or 5k edge due to my skin but think 8k is a good place to start for a shave ready edge to test. Im a little ocd and now have a bit of time to do the testing I probably should have done to start with but didn't as was too worried about getting it shave ready so I could use it. Still have one razor I havent even used yet. I did buy a few though.

I get it. See, I have shaved off an 8k for a year now. I have a 1,4/8 set. I have been ocd about learning that before moving up. It was suggested by some of the more experienced fellows as a good way to go to really learn hones. I now have a 12k Nani in route. No excitement, no anticipation, no pee pee dance waiting for it to get here. I mean, what can I do with a 12k that I can't do with an 8 ? I get bbs and my shaves feel smooth. I can take a chip or frown out and bring it to shave on a 1k. I will find out after it gets here how good I been doing.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I get it. See, I have shaved off an 8k for a year now. I have a 1,4/8 set. I have been ocd about learning that before moving up. It was suggested by some of the more experienced fellows as a good way to go to really learn hones. I now have a 12k Nani in route. No excitement, no anticipation, no pee pee dance waiting for it to get here. I mean, what can I do with a 12k that I can't do with an 8 ? I get bbs and my shaves feel smooth. I can take a chip or frown out and bring it to shave on a 1k. I will find out after it gets here how good I been doing.

Be very careful with that 12k. It cuts very fast. Anymore than 10 strokes across it is pushing your luck. It'll take a decent 8k edge and chew it up real nice after just a few too many passes. The real thing with it seems to be in not expecting too much from it. It improves the keenness of the edge but not by leaps and bounds. If you demand too much from it it will reward you with a badly worn down edge.