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

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.

Originally Posted by Utopian

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

Never thought of that - of course that assumes I'm actually paying attention to the colors!

Adam

OK - Round two with the same razor. Same sequence with a Naniwa 3K in place of the Norton 4K and no Coticule after the 12K. I did joint the edge to start fresh - which likely removed the chipping. I did this after the first photo. I've adjusted the light to enhance the scratch pattern as best I could - I'm intentionally trying to bring out the stria in the photos.

Starting edge - this is after about 5 shaves and 4 linen then leather stropping as part of my regular routine.



After about 20 light laps on the Naniwa 1K:


Then After Round 1, circles and x-strokes on the Naniwa 3K



Round 2 on the 3K - fewer circles and lighter pressure x-strokes


Round 3 on the 3K just light x-strokes (about 50)


On to the Norton 8K - As Euclid said - after I hit the 8K I could see that some previous stria had not been removed so I went back to the 3K for 2 rounds and then back to the 8K.




This is round 2 - on the 3K - I forgot to change the label





Happier with this I moved on to the Naniwa 12K, CrOx and then SRD Bridle leather.






I tried to capture more of the edge so you can see more - I increased the resolution to hopefully provide a good picture at slightly lower magnification.

I was pretty happy with the feel of the Naniwa 3K - doesn't feel rough like the Norton 4K. Comparing the two sets of photos - I does appear that the Naniwa 3K did less edge damage than the Norton 4K - but apples to apples is hard to do with different lighting and magnification. I used the letter u in the Hollow Ground words on the blade to line up the shots so they are all from the same place on the blade.

Shave test tomorrow morning!

Adam

The edge looks better, but still room for improvement, chippy after 12k and Chrome Oxide, much better after leather.

You did not say how many laps you did. You need to do more on the 3 to remove the 1k stria, try to remove it all.

Ideally you want to both remove stria on the bevel and straighten the edge, at the same time, but sometimes it is easier to concentrate on, one thing at a time. Remove the deep stria, you will need some pressure and Circles will remove deep stria quicker, but can leave a ragged edge.

So, remove the deep 1k stria first and try to get the edge as straight as possible, doing light X stroke laps, jointing can help by straightening the edge first.

On the 3 or 4k, begin with circles in sets of 20, to remove the 1k stria, keep doing circles, until all the deep stria are removed, then lay down an even 3/4k stria. Once the bevel is even, then joint the edge or and or do light X laps, until the edge, is as straight as possible.

Do the same at 8k, circles and X strokes, where the edge should begin to get very straight. After 8k there should be no deep stria and the edge should be very straight and chip free.

Try stropping on linen after the 4k, you can strop on Chrome Oxide between stones.

Part of the issue may be the razor, as there is some pitting on the belly of the blade, don’t know how deep the pitting goes.
Now, keep in mind we are talking about perfecting an edge, it is not necessary to remove all the stria from each stone, but when learning and or trouble shooting, eliminate as many possibilities.