Thread: New to honing

I started on a 1k and wasn't getting anywhere. Then I remembered that my barber had showed me how to do touch ups on a barbers hone, so I worked on my 3 line swatty for a few mins and nailed it. My question is,what was different?

Where were you trying to get and how did you nail it?

The 1k is a bevel setter and is not a touch up hone. The Swaty is a touch up hone meant to be used for only a few (like 4 to 6) strokes to refresh an edge, but it CAN be used as a bevel setter.

So, what was it that you were trying to do?

I was trying to set the bevel. I have an unknown 1k,Norton 4/8 and a swatty 3line. For some reason once I used the swatty it just came together rather quickly. Since I am just starting with honing I am trying to figure what made the difference.

Are you sure your 1K really is 1K?
Setting a bevel on a Swaty is possible, but it will take quite some, even with the use of slurry.

Actually I have found that I can set the bevel on an average ebay full hollow in 5--10 minutes with pressure. The edge will be chippy but not so much that it cannot be correct with the next hone in the progression. This is why the Swaty should be used with no pressure and only a few strikes. In the wrong hands a Swaty can do a lot of damage. It might be more aggressive than your mystery 1k.

I'll admit I've never tried setting a bevel on my Swaty, but I'm well aware of it's aggressivness. Maybe I should try it some day, just for the fun if it

Originally Posted by Utopian

Actually I have found that I can set the bevel on an average ebay full hollow in 5--10 minutes with pressure. The edge will be chippy but not so much that it cannot be correct with the next hone in the progression. This is why the Swaty should be used with no pressure and only a few strikes. In the wrong hands a Swaty can do a lot of damage. It might be more aggressive than your mystery 1k.

For the first 5 years or so before finding SRP and the joys of a "few" additional hones, I only had a Swaty and a Carborundum 102 for honing. It took me hours to get a shaveable edge because I never imagined using the pressure that I use to set a bevel now. I think most people who only use a barber hone for maintenance would be shocked at just how aggressive they can be.

Not 100% to be honest

I was not aware of that. Thanks for the info Utopian

So in your opinion,what should I go from here?