Thread: Cleaning up and honing a new antique store find: A.J. Jordan

Originally Posted by Marshal

For the most part I'm ptone to agree Euclid, but 3 rounds with the 4k to have it look no better - or worse - than it started? The only way I've seen that from one of my Norton 4ks was when it still had some of that trash surace skin on it. And he said he lapped that off already.

Yeah - I've literally lapped the crap out of that stone. You can see from the side view picture above how much smaller it is than the 8K side. They were equal when I got it.

Adam

I've had the same thing happen to both my 1k/8k, 4k/8k sets. Ended up getting so frustrated with them I busted them in half and threw them in the garbage permanently swearing off Norton whetstones. Well we all know that they can be great so I ordered another set of two and have been somewhat ok with them. They will display the behaviour shown above but when they do I just soak them for an hour then leave them alone for a week to completely dry out. After that they seem to have evolved into correctly working stones again. If they do not, I'll hit them with the DMT coarse for awhile, do the soaking routine and try again.

Aalbina, you did not mention it, nor did anyone else, so I'll ask. Did you alter the pressure at all while using the 4k? You can use heavy pressure at first but, just as with the 1k, you need to lighten up the pressure as you finish with the hone. If you are using tape, then you need to use fresh tape at the end of the use of that hone.

For going forward, if you are not satisfied with the edge as it is, you will have to drop back down to the 4k and get a clean edge before moving up again.

Just re-hone the same razor on the 4k, see if the 4k will chip the edge, first, check the razor for warpage, by laying it on a stone, check both sides.

The problem is, the first photo, (pre-honing), shows edge chipping, as does the 1k photo on the left side. You said you had chipping on the 1k and jointed to straighten the edge. And the 1k photo are not of the same spot as the 4k photos. The 4k chipping, may have been there after the 1k.

It sounds like the problem is with the razor, not the stone.

Bottom line, 1k deep stria was not removed by the 4k, not an unusual. Just do more laps on the 4k and try to get the 4k edge as straight as possible.

If you are going to re-hone strop it on linen and leather with a bit of pressure, see if the edge micro-chips, if the steel is weak it may chip.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Aalbina, you did not mention it, nor did anyone else, so I'll ask. Did you alter the pressure at all while using the 4k? You can use heavy pressure at first but, just as with the 1k, you need to lighten up the pressure as you finish with the hone. If you are using tape, then you need to use fresh tape at the end of the use of that hone.

For going forward, if you are not satisfied with the edge as it is, you will have to drop back down to the 4k and get a clean edge before moving up again.

Yes - I vary the pressure as I go along on the 4K (actually on any stone). Round one was 40 circles and 40 laps down and back with a little pressure. 2nd round was 20 circles and 40 laps with little to no pressure, and the third round was no circles and 40 laps with weight of the blade only.

No tape on this one as there was very little hone wear. When I go back through this with this razor I will probably use 1 layer of tape. I realize that might me a few laps on the 1K but I'll ink the edge to see that I am reaching the edge.

Adam

That sounds perfect. Now for another potentially patronizing suggestion...

Make sure you replace the tape regularly, especially just before finishing on the hone.

Originally Posted by Utopian

That sounds perfect. Now for another potentially patronizing suggestion...

Make sure you replace the tape regularly, especially just before finishing on the hone.

Haha - not patronizing at all. I know to do this and usually I remember - but I have gotten through a honing (sort of zenned out) and realized that I never changed the tape.... so my confidence is high - just doesn't always match my competence!

I have to use three layers on a W&B Glen restored for me and I peel of just one layer as I go. Once I thought I had one layer and it turned out I had taken off 2 layers and only replaced it with one. When I saw the bevel riding up I was like - what the hell and peeled it all of to reapply when I noticed the mistake. So - reminders are always welcome.

Adam

If you use alternating colors of tape, you will eliminate that confusion.