Blade Gets Duller

[RustySterling]

I'm honing on a Norton 4K doing circles and X-strokes as noted in Glen and Lynn videos. It seems like the blades get duller with each pass. I'm just using the weight of the razor AFAIK. So I can't figure this out. I'd think the blade would at least get marginally sharper.

Just wanted to add, I'm not doing this with my regular shavers. It is with older blades that weren't shave ready upon delivery. One is a Crown Cutlery Co. and the other a Genco.

[Anthony1954]

It may be that as you use the Norton you are actually resetting the bevel to a new angle. This would mean that until it's reset from the one the factory or previous owner attempted you may be blunting the original edge which would explain the reducing sharpness.
I'd continue with the circles and x strokes and feel sure you will properly set a bevel that once progressed up the grits will give you a decent shave. If you have a loupe this would tell you what's happening at the edge

[RustySterling]

I figured I was probably resetting the bevel and what you said explained a lot. Thanks. I do plan to keep at it with both razors.

[RezDog]

it is a slow go resetting a bevel with a norton 4K. It can be done and requires a small amount of patience. If you find yourself running low on patience just try again another day.

[carlmaloschneider]

Probably not 'the done thing' but if a 4k is all you have you can wrap 1k wet and dry around it and set the bevel using that. You must ensure the sandpaper is flat, so make sure it IS wet. This will be a quicker process, but it's probably frowned upon by many.

Do you have a hone other than the 4k? That is, is it a 4/8? If not, do you intend to shave off the 4?

Are you taping the spine? If not, have you considered doing so? This may also speed up the process, as you won't be re-setting the bevel less metal will need to be removed...

Carl

[Siguy]

Like Carl above, I was going to suggest getting some 1000K-1500K-2000K grit sandpapers from an autoparts store.

Where I differ from Carl, I would suggest finding something like a piece of marble or glass... Something you already know is extremely flat. Then reset the bevel, using the loupe to check your progress.

Rezdog is right about being able to accomplish a bevel set on a 4K, but it will take patience, even though Norton is known for being a rather fast cutter.

NOTE:::For me, I would automatically reset the bevel on any blade that I haven't honed(unless I knew how it had been honed-tape on/tapeoff) to make sure I could progress up the hones with uniformity. I refuse to guess at how the razor was originally honed.

I'm interested to hear how it goes.

[RustySterling]

@RezDog: Yeah, I'm just doing a bit at a time.

I'm trying the JANorton challenge (I know, it was a couple of years ago) on the blades without dulling them first. I do have a 1K Norton but I wanted to try the challenge. I'll just keep at it.