Thread: What's my next honing move?

So I finished the honing pyramid and my razor just isn't as sharp as it could/should be. I did a test shave got a good shave but major razor burn and it doesn't quite pop hairs. It's right on the verge of where it needs to be but I can't seem to get it there. What is my next move?

More than likely you need to spend more time setting the bevel.

Should be able to pop hairs at every grit before going on to the next grit.

It all sounds familiar to me somehow, had the trouble too. I'd go back and reset the bevel. I would stay on your bevel setting hone till the blade will easily cut arm hair before moving up the progression. There are couple of other tests you can use to verify the bevel is set also, just forgot what they are at the moment.

Bob

What is your bevel setter?
You need you properly set a bevel before anything. This can take the most time.
mark the edge with a sharpie and set the bevel. You can use magnification and check to see if the sharpie is gone on the very edge of the blade. If you see any little bits of sharpie on the very very edge then the bevel is not set yet.

After that then you can sharpen and hone the blade.
Are you using a norton?

I tried setting the bevel but it didn't cut hair very well. I'm going to go back to that and start over. You guys are all right. I neglected the bevel too much.

Disburden, I use the Norton 1k, 4k, 8k.

Should it pop hair at skin level or half way up when the bevel is set correctly? Should I be able to shave with it after only setting the bevel?

Should shave hair very easily - at least that's what I look for - I can't pop my arm hairs until after finishing the progression and stropping.

I just look for it to shave arm hair easily not pop it. If you mean shave your face with it off your bevel setter, I would say no unless you want razor burn. At that stage the blade is sharp enough to easily shave arm hairs but still does not have a smooth enough edge to give a comfortable shave on your face.

Bob

It should shave arm hair easily after the 1k. Don't be afraid to use some pressure on the 1k and don't move up in grit until it does cut arm hair. Lighten up on pressure on the 4k and especially the 8k