Thread: My first honing project

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Hello All;

I haven´t started yes with the honing. Still waiting for the hones to arrive. But I have another question.

Can I do an irreparable damage to my SR when setting the bevel with the 1000?

Thanks

Probably not irreparable damage but you can waste a lot of steel. On the gold dollar you're getting I'm going to say no, use it as a guinea pig. Do you know what you're looking for test wise in a bevel set?

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Probably not irreparable damage but you can waste a lot of steel. On the gold dollar you're getting I'm going to say no, use it as a guinea pig. Do you know what you're looking for test wise in a bevel set?

Thanks for the answer.

As far as the test that I am going to use to see if the bevel is properly set I think I am going to use the Cherry Tomato Test (slicing the skin of the tomato)....It looks like to me that at my stage it is the more objective one.

Any other test you can recommend to know if the bevel is correctly set?

I can't see that anyone answered question 1. Draw a grid on the hone with a pencil, each square about a CM square. You can draw the lines freehand really; they don't need to be 100% straight but it probably is helpful to use a ruler.

Soak the hone for about 15 minutes. lap the hone by rubbing the lapping stone over the hone in a figure eight pattern. You'll notice the pencil lines starting to wear off. You'll notice that they wear off unevenly as some parts won't be touched by the hone as it won't be even. Keep rubbing until all the lines are gone. make sure you wash the hone thoroughly afterwards; you don't want particles of the lapping stone left on the hone.

This is how I do it but others may have other ideas. Hope this helps...

Carl

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Thanks for the answer.

As far as the test that I am going to use to see if the bevel is properly set I think I am going to use the Cherry Tomato Test (slicing the skin of the tomato)....It looks like to me that at my stage it is the more objective one.

Any other test you can recommend to know if the bevel is correctly set?

I've never heard of the Cherry Tomato Test, that must be a new one :-)
I think the best test to see if the bevel is set is to look at the razor. Seriously, I think closely viewing the edge is a pretty good way. Also, play very very close attention to the pool of water being pushed across the hone by the razor's edge, it'll be pushed very evenly with an even bevel.

Yeah the tomato thing was started by a razor honer/restorer called Doc Shaver. If you want to try it I would immediately rinse and wipe the blade as the tomato acid might promote rust. here is a video of it if your curious.

I myself don't use this method and have trained to my thumb to know when its sharp enough. I also confirm with edge inspection with loupe or scope as well as arm hair shaving. It will take some practice to know when the bevel is right so take your time.

That is the one...The salad maker test...

What do I need to look for when I inspect with a loupe?

I'd also suggest the thumb nail test. It's very reliable once learned! As to what to look for in the loupe I cannot answer as I rarely use magnification and just hone.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I can't see that anyone answered question 1. Draw a grid on the hone with a pencil, each square about a CM square. You can draw the lines freehand really; they don't need to be 100% straight but it probably is helpful to use a ruler.

Soak the hone for about 15 minutes. lap the hone by rubbing the lapping stone over the hone in a figure eight pattern. You'll notice the pencil lines starting to wear off. You'll notice that they wear off unevenly as some parts won't be touched by the hone as it won't be even. Keep rubbing until all the lines are gone. make sure you wash the hone thoroughly afterwards; you don't want particles of the lapping stone left on the hone.

This is how I do it but others may have other ideas. Hope this helps...

Carl

Thank you Carl;

I ll definitively do that.

Steve

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

That is the one...The salad maker test...

What do I need to look for when I inspect with a loupe?

Maybe this link will help you with the visual cues. http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ml#post1542722

Hope it helps

Lap your stones on a piece of 325 Wet & Dry, on a dollar store cookie sheet, it will be a lot faster and less messy than the Norton lapping stone.

Mark the grid as said and remove it 3-4 times spinning the stone 180 degrees each time. Make sure to round or bevel the edges.

Do look at the My first honing attempt thread. The Cherry Tomato test will tell you if your razor will cut tomatoes, but not much else. You need to know if the, complete edge is straight and chip free and that you are honing all the way to the edge.

A visual test is the most conclusive test, then remove the stria from the previous stone with each stone in the progression. The goal is a straight edge.