Thread: scratch marks Norton 4/8

Hello,

I've been honing my razors for about a year. I have a 1K king for my bevel setter, and a Norton 4/8. My razors are popping hairs on my arm, and for the most part provide a comfortable shave. I do get irritation on my neck, but I may attribute that to poor technique, weak lather etc. I believe my stropping technique to be adequate...

The point is, I'm trying to make sure I'm getting the best edge I can off my Norton. I've watched endless honing videos, and been on the JANnorton thread for guidance.

I set the bevel with my King, using a slurry created by my newly acquired 400/1000 combo diamond plate. After I set the bevel, I wash off the slurry, and use a clean hone, water only.

Next, I create a slurry with on my 4k Norton, and use a variety of different strokes (heel-leading X, straight, rolling X etc.) depending on the kind of blade. After I'm certain I got good coverage along the entire bevel edge, I wash off the slurry, and usually use the diamond plate again to get a clean surface on the 4k, wash off the slurry, and follow up with several more strokes until the edge feels smooth during the honing strokes (water only, light strokes).

Next I use the 8K and follow the same honing pattern. Create a slurry on the 8k with my diamond plate, follow my progression until the honing strokes feel smooth. Then clean the hone with the diamond plate, wash off the slurry, and very light strokes on the 8k with water only.

So I took some pics of my edge with my iPhone and came away with the best possible pics to share. My concern is despite my efforts, the majority of my bevel edges still have some noticeable scratches. The bevel edge is not a mirror edge, but more like a foggy-mirror edge (depending on the lighting and angle at which I'm looking at it through the loupe). The point is, I think there is room for improvement. Or, am I expecting too much from my 8K? Are scratch marks impossible to remove entirely with the 8K? My guess is perhaps I'm progressing too quickly off the 4K, but honestly, I'm spending a lot of time on the 4K just to make sure...

For the most part, my razors are all Sheffields, which I understand are made from softer metals, and perhaps more prone to scratches...

Can you kindly take a look at these pics? There not perfect, but hopefully you can see the scratches I'm referring to. Let me know if I'm looking at a normal edge based off my description?

Thanks for looking, and I appreciate your input!