Thread: Trouble getting a comfortable shave.

I always reset my bevel. Just habit and the time between honing sessions for each razor is so far apart that it won't effect the lifetime of the razor at least not in my lifetime. Anyways HHT is a fun test but not always accurate. Your hair my get cut at a certain level of sharpness but that level of sharpness might not be comfortable to your skin. Your skin has feeling your hair doesn't. I can get a razor to pass the HHT no problem at the 2-4k level but it would not be the best of shaves. Make sure your razor is flat along the stone and make sure your putting even pressure along the length of the blade make sure your spine isn't lifting up. You said you have nortons so maybe you could try "the pyramid" method. I remember that method being quite effective when I had my nortons.

I don't have any experience with TI's but I have heard they can be a pain to hone especially to beginners. Also, when I bought my first straight it was from classic edge and they will give you your first honing session for free.

One last thing. Don't think the hones you have aren't good enough. You could live your whole life and be completely satisfied with those hones.

Another thing that just popped into my head, have you lapped the stones? Even new ones need to be lapped before use.