Thread: Joseph allen honing issue

just broke down and ordered naniwa 5k,8k,12k stones, hopefully it makes a difference otherwise i may have to work on my technique instead ; )

They won’t hone themselves, and they are not magic, but those are great stones. With what you have, you are set for life.
While you are waiting, look at the library and the honing videos from Lynn and GSSixgun.

Once you set the bevel, the rest is just polishing, sounds like you are already familiar with that, but there is some technique and much less pressure than with knives and tools.

All I can say is, N-A-N-I-W-A. My stones showed up this morning so I took them to work with me.

I got a 5k, 8k, 12k "set" from srd. Got them lapped using a course diamond hone(325 grit equivalent) except for the 12k, which I did a final lapping with a fine diamond hone (1200 grit equivalent.

With one layer of electrical tape on the spine I got to work on the Joseph Allen on the 1200 grit diamond hone and made sure the bevel was set, then worked my way through the new stones. Lynn says these stones have awesome feed back and he wasn't kidding. I did have to back up once from 8k to 5k when I realized I didn't quite get all scratches out. I honed for maybe 10 minutes and was done with the progression. Unfortunately I left my strop at home but the blade was already "grabbing" hair above the skin. All that was left was a test shave.

I did my normal routine of shower, light baby oil, strop 30/30, lather, strop 0/30, hot towel, lather, wtg, lather, atg, strop 10/30, lather, atg. Boy was I impressed. The edge didn't feel sharp, it was so smooth I felt like I couldn't catch my skin if I tried, a sensation I had yet to experience, up until now. The edge is as efficient removing hair as it is smooth. Where this edge really shined through was with the atg stroke. The only times I had any irritation was on my neck in two spots but it was due to technique and not the edge, I just held too obtuse of an angle.

Well unfortunately my beard takes a couple days to come back in, and can't wait to shave until then. I feel very lucky to have found this place. Without your experience and patience I would still be wearing a beard and looking a little homely.

Sweet, nice work.

Just be careful with bevel setting on a Diamond plate. If you start having problems chipping just get the bevels flat and almost set, then set the bevels completely with the 5k.

Or just lightly joint the edge on the 8K a couple times and re-set the bevel 10-20 laps.

Do your final laps with weight of the blade to polish a fine edge.

Congratulations, shave well my friend.