Thread: Is this microchipping...

Originally Posted by pcm

Well, I haven't ever done a TNT, so I'm afraid I can't judge with that test. With the TPT (going perpendicular to the edge, at an angle - hopefully that is right - I've read multiple interpretations on this test), there seems to be a slight less sharpness at the heel, but it is barely perceptible (to me). In previous honing of another blade, I could really tell that it wasn't sharp, but with this blade it is very similar along the whole length of the blade.

me.

This is the perfect opportunity to experiment and learn the TNT. Even if it doesn't definitively tell you if your done, this is a good chance to get a feel for it. It's probably safe to say that most of the bevel is set and that the heel is not set. Read up on the TNT and try it. You'll see that most of the blade will have a little drag and feel silky smooth(bevel set). The heel will feel rough without that subtle drag(bevel not set). Give it a try, and keep doing it every 40 strokes or so until it all feels the same(bevel set). Then give it 10-15 more light strokes and move on to your next stone. A stubborn bevel can take hundreds of strokes. That's why a lot of guys do circles or back and fourth strokes to speed things up.