Thread: TNT

Originally Posted by deepweeds

Since the TNT is an edge-killing test, I wouldn't want to use it after the bevel is set. After a good TNT, I'll do a round if additional light strokes in the bevel-setting hone, then continue up without any TNT.

Yes totally agree with this, after being satisfied with the TNT at the 1000 level I'll do another 10 x strokes before moving up the hones. This would be the last test I'd do on the blade until I shave with the razor.
It's complicated but this seems to be working for me even at this early stage in my honing career!

Like all the tests the TNT needs calibration to your own body, it is a judgment call not some absolute, it seems that is the hardest aspect for people to understand with many of the tests..

There are several tests for the Bevel set, the more you can use effectively the better off you are

TNT
TPT
AHT
Magnification

You have to be able to at least have one of these that is fool proof for you, it really doesn't matter what John Doe on the Forum says works for him you have to test it and verify it all for yourself..

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When the TNT provides consistent resistance for the length of the blade, no rough spots or skips, I consider it done but I also check it with a 30x eye loupe for consistency from the honing flat to the very edge. If it looks good I do 10 more x strokes on the 1k and move up. Works for me using that criteria.

Read what Jimmy wrote again, see how he uses two of the tests to confirm his edge ???

Also note the part from a few people about using the TNT then doing a few more passes to bring back the fine edge, keep in mind that the TNT can serve two purposes, much like Eucclid noted about Jointing (Killing the edge) on the corner of a stone to even out small chips the TNT does this to the edge on a lesser scale and can help you get to a much smoother edge...


Good luck

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Like all the tests the TNT needs calibration to your own body, it is a judgment call not some absolute, it seems that is the hardest aspect for people to understand with many of the tests..

There are several tests for the Bevel set, the more you can use effectively the better off you are

TNT
TPT
AHT
Magnification

You have to be able to at least have one of these that is fool proof for you, it really doesn't matter what John Doe on the Forum says works for him you have to test it and verify it all for yourself..





Read what Jimmy wrote again, see how he uses two of the tests to confirm his edge ???

Also note the part from a few people about using the TNT then doing a few more passes to bring back the fine edge, keep in mind that the TNT can serve two purposes, much like Eucclid noted about Jointing (Killing the edge) on the corner of a stone to even out small chips the TNT does this to the edge on a lesser scale and can help you get to a much smoother edge...


Good luck

Thank you and to everyone for their help and comments. Please don't even begin to think I'm UK's honing expert!! I'll need a few more months of trial and error even to get close to some of you guys. I just thought that if I could storybook my efforts from the point of being a complete novice particularly for the TNT then it may just help someone else. I've looked through the TNT threads and comments and found it confusing in so much as there seemed to be no definitive blow by blow explanation.
All I suggest is try it yourself and see if it works for you. The TPT is one that i can't seem to make work I think the pads are too hard. As Glen so rightly says everyone is different and some things will work some won't. I'm sticking with this for now as it seems to be pointing me in the right direction or so my face tells me

I just came back here from the honing table as I realized that nowhere in this thread was it mentioned that the Thumbnail has to be wet...



It really does make a difference

ps: Anthony, you might try shifting the TPT slightly off to the side of the pad I have to when I do it to get a feeling from it might work for yours also