Thread: Noob honer in need of encouragement/advice

What you are experiencing is the most difficult part of honing. Not knowing what to expect from each grit makes it very hard. Your first stumbling block is knowing if the bevel is set. One of the tests for a bevel is if it will cut arm/leg hair. Since you are running out of that, I assume it's set. As DoubleO suggested, the thumb nail test is good. When you feel the edge grab a wet thumb nail and grip it rather than slide over it, you have a bevel. Ok so what's next? If you've been working on a 1k hone, the bevel and edge are very raw at this point and full of serrations. So at this point you want to almost reset the bevel again with your 5k stone. I say reset because your trying to eliminate the 1k profile and re-establish it again with the 5k stone. This one is tough because the difference between them is not that obvious. I recommend good magnification to see what is happening. You'll want to look very closely at the depth of the scratches after you set the bevel. Then, as you begin to work the edge on the 5k, watch how those scratches are replaced by new ones that are less aggressive. Keep an eye on the very edge and be sure it's straight and clean, no dips and valleys. It should now be cutting what is left of your arm/leg hair easier than before. These steps are hard because you are assuming you've done all that you can at this level. Maybe you have, and maybe not. The next step is the refinement point where the edge really comes into it's own. Polishing on the 8k should even out what little serrations there are and form a smooth and shave ready edge. Again, you want the very edge smooth and clean. At this point those scratches will be shallow and light. It should be cutting hair easily and shaving fairly well. Spend some time reading and getting an idea of what to expect from each grit.