Thread: Honing pressure ?

I'm getting decent shaves from my honing, but I believe it could be better.
One reason I think this is the failure of HHT and TTH tests. I've been told to ignore those hair cutting tests, but there has to be something to them.
Anyway, I fear lifting the spline on the stones, or not maintaining the proper contact. This is more so with the tradition hand grip seen in the videos.
As a result, I'm laying my index finger on the blade close to mid point to maintain good contact. My pressure is medium to light with slow deliberate strokes.
Now I wonder if that is the reason it can't get a HHT successfully.
Without the controlling finger, I feel the blade to stone contact suffers.
Am I screwing up?

Maybe, although a magic marker test will tell you easily whats what. I use two hands always and have no issues with pressure etc.

What is a TTH ????

How does your HHT works with a DE blade ????

We need lots more info before we can help you with getting even keener edges.
Stuff like what stones/progression are you using?
And what razors are you honing on them?

As to pressure, less is more once the bevel is set.
I suggest getting more practice without using your index finger on the middle of the blade.
Especially when doing the last two stages of your honing process.

Bevel set, sharpening, polishing and finishing are normally the four stages we go through with razors.
On setting the bevel I use quite a lot of pressure before finishing that stage much lighter.
When sharpening a steady but by no means heavy pressure seems to be what I use the most.
Again, easing up at the final laps.
This prepares for the next levels.

Once we arrive at the polishing and finishing stages, pressure is out the window.
Light as a feather, trust the stones.
They are effective even at very low pressure although it may be hard to feel it.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

What is a TTH ????

How does your HHT works with a DE blade ????

Sorry, I was guessing at the 'tree top' hair cutting initials. LOL
Good suggestion with the DE.

My concern is wobbling the blade on the stone.
I'll try feather light on 8k and 12k.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

Sorry, I was guessing at the 'tree top' hair cutting initials. LOL
Good suggestion with the DE.

My concern is wobbling the blade on the stone.
I'll try feather light on 8k and 12k.
Thanks.

Until you have a baseline expectation, those Hair tests are pretty much useless, they have to be calibrated to tell you anything at all... This is the biggest reason we tell people they are useless from the get go...

Don't wobble the blade

The spine and the edge has to HAS TO stay in contact with the hone, the manipulations that are required to accomplish that are what we like to call "Honing Gymnastics" there are no shortcuts, the more you hone the better you get,,, Period, end of story... Feather light means diddly squat if you are not in contact evenly and equally across the hone with every stroke...

It is best to start pushing the envelope on a razor that is in excellent geometric form that you are very familiar with, and only after you are successfully getting shave ready edges easily...


Building into WOW edges is a slow process, and a fun one, don't try and rush it, sit back and enjoy the process

Gravity has been working without fail for millions of years. Trust in it!

Heck don't listen to these guys. Let me cue you in to something. These tests like the HHW and the HHT and the TPT are there only for the rookies so they think they are really accomplishing something when they are really not. Once you become highly experienced then you will realize the true tests that the rest of us use like the FOR test and the CTS test and the BFG test. Now those tests really rock and when you reach a level of honing nirvana like someone like Glen you rely on the ZOP test and the XYZ test.

Now you are probably asking yourself is this guy pulling my leg? I've never heard of those before. Of course you haven't because they are secret tests like when you join some secret organization and you have that secret handshake or secret move. They are so secretly guarded if they were divulged to folks not deserving of them all sorts of mayhem would reign down on you.

I'm sure Glen would love to tell you about the XYZ test because with that test you will have no doubt that your razor is so keen the test almost does the honing for you. Afterall that's how all our honemeisters can hone hundreds of razors a day and never have to test shave yet they can be sure the razor is at 110% of its potential.

So, the moral of the story is just hone and shave. When you are ready we will contact you.

My original question was whether my index finger aiding the stone contact was keeping me from improving the edges. Bill3152 in post 2 answered that he was doing well with two hands. That makes me feel better.
But, now I'm sucked deeper into the discussion because of the suggestions you fellows offered.
Here is what I'm working with;
Two nice razors ( set aside for honing training)
DMT 320 plate
N1k, Norton 4/8k, n12k,
CO on web
Plain web
Bridle strop
40x loop
Sharpie
Black tape
Scuttle
Badger Silver tip brush
Tabac and Poroaso soaps

I'm trying various stroke counts, pressure, bevel setting, etc. to improve results.
Trying to breakout through a barrier is why I asked about the index finger, which is unorthodox.
Does it not make sense that two razors, one the cuts hanging hair and one that does not, that the haircutter would give a better shave? Can it all be varying hair types and conditions?
I'll keep on honing, while picking up tips from this site, with hopes of reaching higher honing skills.
Thanks guys.

This is a road that everyone must eventually travel alone. I will have to do that also one day. I could read all the instructions available and look at all the videos on the web, and find someone to assist me in learning to hone. In saying that, I guess what it really boils down to is doing it. Over, and over, and over, ad naseum until I get it down to where it is almost routine. i hope I can get there too. Good advice from all, and thanks to all.