Thread: need help with honing!

if I didn't know what it is I wouldn't be using it, always know what you are using before you attempt to put a razor on it. I thought isn't about honing it leads to ruined and useless razors, once the metal is gone you cant glue it back on. no one inexperienced hones should use anything below 1k and even then know when to stop and move up. honing is bevel set sure not thought,no bevel no shave, test bevels with a cherry tomato when it cuts through from heel to toe clean its set, set ther bevel go 1k and then 4k then 8k and finally finish you only are polishing the last scratches out as you progress the edge is the bevel you set, no bevel no edge.

Originally Posted by RichCal

after about 500Xs on my "6K" it plucks hairs a few mm up from the base, sometimes right at the base without much tug at all. maybe a better rolling technique or 12k shapton cream will do it. i might just strop it 100 laps and see where that takes me.

The 12K will only refine the apex that is created at the bevels set. It is too bad about the loss of the smile, the smile is a face friendlier edge than a straight one. A better refined stroke will certainly be the secret to your success. If you use a magic marker to color your edge and then do a couple of stroke it will show when your stroke is touching the hone. Keep marking it and then trying it out until you have modified your stroke to make full contact all the way down your edge.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The 12K will only refine the apex that is created at the bevels set. It is too bad about the loss of the smile, the smile is a face friendlier edge than a straight one. A better refined stroke will certainly be the secret to your success. If you use a magic marker to color your edge and then do a couple of stroke it will show when your stroke is touching the hone. Keep marking it and then trying it out until you have modified your stroke to make full contact all the way down your edge.

if i get a shave with no tug with the razor now, the 12k should help me get a even sharper blade yes? i think having the smile is too much work for me with a (now) flat hone and 1 hone (at the moment). One day i will have one!

Originally Posted by RichCal

if i get a shave with no tug with the razor now, the 12k should help me get a even sharper blade yes? i think having the smile is too much work for me with a (now) flat hone and 1 hone (at the moment). One day i will have one!

As long as the bevel is sharp for the entire length it will get better. 6K to 12K is a bit of a jump which basically means it takes longer to achieve the desired results and is also asking you to be ever diligent in your technique but it is attainable. In theory you can go from a bevel set to finish on any finish hone but it does take time and some skill. Glen did a video of going from 1K to finish on both an Escher and a Coticule. If you are very skilled I suppose it is fairly easy. I will let you know when I get to very skilled.

PS
The no tug shave is the very best test of a properly set bevel.

Originally Posted by RezDog

As long as the bevel is sharp for the entire length it will get better. 6K to 12K is a bit of a jump which basically means it takes longer to achieve the desired results and is also asking you to be ever diligent in your technique but it is attainable. In theory you can go from a bevel set to finish on any finish hone but it does take time and some skill. Glen did a video of going from 1K to finish on both an Escher and a Coticule. If you are very skilled I suppose it is fairly easy. I will let you know when I get to very skilled.

PS
The no tug shave is the very best test of a properly set bevel.

is it possible to have no tug on a 1k or 4k? the biggest problem is not knowing what grit the (found out its not a grey but a dark dark blue) stone is in the second posting on this thread. i looked into it (range of hones used for straight razors) it looks as though its in the 10k range like escher...(just going on looks) but could also be a belgian blue 4k. i might find out when i feel the 12k and feel the unknown hone

I will try to describe it from my perspective. A 1K shave with a well set bevel does not tug per say but it does feel quite coarse on my skin. At the 4K level the shave start to smooth out but still feels coarse. The 8K is where it starts to get nice and smooth and then when you start dow the path of the naturals and the high grit synthetics is where it start to be mostly about how it feels on your face, notice I did say mostly. The significant difference for me is at the skin but the whisker action does get better but not at the same rate as the skin feeling. It starts to get confusing at this point because it all starts to be subjective. A finished edge can be very personal. There is a recent thread on favorite finishers and at that point the is so much personal preference it is the basis of a favorite. I doubt it is any more clear but hopefully it will help you a tiny bit in your journey.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I will try to describe it from my perspective. A 1K shave with a well set bevel does not tug per say but it does feel quite coarse on my skin. At the 4K level the shave start to smooth out but still feels coarse. The 8K is where it starts to get nice and smooth and then when you start dow the path of the naturals and the high grit synthetics is where it start to be mostly about how it feels on your face, notice I did say mostly. The significant difference for me is at the skin but the whisker action does get better but not at the same rate as the skin feeling. It starts to get confusing at this point because it all starts to be subjective. A finished edge can be very personal. There is a recent thread on favorite finishers and at that point the is so much personal preference it is the basis of a favorite. I doubt it is any more clear but hopefully it will help you a tiny bit in your journey.

Wow this sums up alot. Thanks!