Thread: Cutting water and uneven honing

In my constant search for reliable variables that work for me, I thought I'd concentrate on water cutting.
I noticed on previous razors that I had done, which seemed to be passing other tests to move past 1k, I was not under cutting water and whether or not that was a reliable sign, they were not shaving well.
So for the last three razors (trying to get SOME sort of statistical sample ) I concentrated on making sure I was under cutting water at every stone. Now for the part I don't quite understand or know if it's right - I'd notice one side would start cutting before the other, and just doing 1:1 strokes I never seemed to get the other side.
So I then just sat on the one side until it cut (well maybe 10:1 or so). Once both sides were cutting water all the way across the blade (this observation isn't perfect), then back to 1:1. By the way I believe I only had to do this on 1K.

After it worked for the first razor, I did two more over the next couple days which were also successful. So I guess my question is, is there any support for this observation, or was it just coincidence on my razors? Also, is it unheard of to have to unevenly hone at bevel setting? By the way I cannot tell a visual difference in the bevels on one side vs. the other so I don't think I was taking a ton off unevenly.

That is an excellent observation!

If water is flowing evenly up both sides and is not being pushed you are close to very nice bevel. Give it ten more on either side and move on. And, yes sometimes an original bevel may require more strokes on on side to even it out. The handedness of the original honer, owner may be a factor there. Think of a single bevel on one side and a double bevel on the other. they need to be equal and single or double on both sides.

I have watched videos of factory help doing the original honing on power machines and they are not always setting an even bevel. I have found, in my limited experience, that the bevel you originally had will often pass the thumb pad and thumb nail tests but not be a good edge.
Keep on keepin' on! You have a good eye and are doing well!

~Richard

Thanks for the reply Richard. Always helps to see if I'm kookoo or not.

Originally Posted by RoyalCake

Thanks for the reply Richard. Always helps to see if I'm kookoo or not.

You're not, watching the water is a great way to judge how the edge is coming along