Small Razors

Just got through with 2 small razors. Both are Wade and Butcher 4/8 and nice little razors. I have honed 2 other small razor and they were not this hard. I want know until tomorrow or the day after if they are shave ready or not but I hope so. Both will top arm hair and both will pass the HHT. But as we all know the shave test is the one that really matters. I really hope they pass the shaving test. If they don't I guess i'll start the process all over again. I have a 220 grit hone coming from SRD and I will wait until it gets here to reset the bevel. that has been my problem in the past. Any way i'll find out in time.

I think the 220 might be a little extreme for a bevel set. It is more for restoration work. 1,000 grit should be sufficient.

I 2nd the 220 is out comment. That grit would be for taking out large problems or starting a new blank on it's way to bevel.

I used the 1K naniwa on the two this time for the bevel set. It felt good but took a long time so I really don't know if the bevel is right or not. The thumb pad test was ok after the 1K but still don't know for sure. If I do use the 220 it would only be for a quick maybe 10 laps the go to the 1K. just something to speed up the process not to complete it.

I'm hoping that the re-hone will not be necessary. on the HHT I took a long hair from the wife's hair brush and held it upside down and clipped it from one end to the other. so far this has been beneficial to see if it's ready to shave with.

I also use the TNT. What I learned from my uncle, a barber, the edge will sort of stick into the thumb nail and grip it. Of course, you cannot use that once you are done with the bevel set, but it generally gives me an indication of where the bevel is at. Good luck. Sometimes honing some razors is a daunting process. Others seem to hone themselves.

So far these two have been the hardest yet to hone. I have Sheffield's both heavy and thin and Solingen 5/8 and up but these little jims have been a little difficult. I hope they turn out ok for I really like them. they feel good in the hand.

You can't rush perfection :<0)
The thing is , those scratch marks from the 220 are going to translate to saw teeth on the edge not just on the face of the bevel. More 1k to get them out than it's worth.
I am hoping they pass the test for ya.

If you use your loupe and look at the edge at a slight angle, almost straight on the apex, any white lines or bright sparkles are indicators that the bevel is not set. Of course some of the really minor stuff will pull out at the 4K but it is worth looking and learning to see the bevel set. Once you have that one figured out it is pretty fool proof.

If the razors are cutting hair in tests & you plan to shave test, a 220 grit stone is like taking 10 steps backward.

I never,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever ,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever.... ever use one on razors :)

320 yes, I use one to start non honed razors etc..

This will be the first 220 stone for me. In the past when I got a razor with a chip out of the edge I used 220 wet dry on a granite counter top to remove the chip and start the bevel then switch to the 1K. I did take a long time to finish setting the bevel but less time removing the chip. Just looking for ways to speed up the process. some blades I found take longer on the 1K than others.

After all that's been said and re-thing the matter I called SRD and changed the order from a 220 to a 400. I think this might work better. If nothing else it builds my inventory of stones a little more. (you can't say I don't have the stones for it):rofl2:

It depends on the stone. My 220 Shapton pro is strictly for damaged knives that need re grinding yet the 320 is not too destructive on razors. Maybe you're 400 will be similar.

Some are like chalk & cheese, e.g. a Shapton Pro 1k vs a King 1k. You wouldn't think they're the same grit if you try both.

The 400 ss from naniwa I hope it's like the other naniwa hones I have just a little more aggressive. But that may be mute now. I waited as long as I could and tonight I showered and then set both small razors on the bathroom counter and got out the SRD blood orange soap . stropped the blades again and built my lather . I shaved the left side first with the Mappin and it was very nice. Then I got the Wade and Butcher 4/8 and started in on the right side. not quite as good as the other but still nice. I did both wg and ag both sides and ended up with a fairly smooth shave with no irritation. very pleased with both. I will be glad when my new DMT 325 gets here so I can re-flatten my hones. I thought about adding photos but I think everyone now knows what a 4/8 razor with black scales look like. and besides i'm not that good at photos.