Thread: trouble honing

I have set the bevel 1K, verified by microscope. I then followed by 4k and 8k and finally 12k. i tried shave but no good. Where should I begin? I know you can tape. I want to get it right without tape.

Start with the library section. Plenty of good info.

The first step might be to re-read some of the previous threads that you started when having this same difficulty.

Thanks for all your help.

Just knowing what problems many people face learning to hone, here are some suggestions.

You need to test as you go. If you are sure the bevel is set at 1k, try using the HHT after a short stropping off the 4k stone. You are not using HHT to measure sharpness, you're looking for two things; that the edge passes HHT off the 4k and that it is the same all along the edge. I do this off a 5k as a final bevel-set test. If it won't pass HHT off the 4-5k stone the bevel is not properly set.

Try cutting your pressure by 75%. Almost everyone uses too much pressure when learning and a razor's edge, especially a hollowground one, is so thin that it flexes, and the bevels get rounded and aren't properly hitting the hone and therefore the edge doesn't develop like it should.

Also get a magnifying glass - your microscope may work - and examine the bevel after each grit to verify that the scratches are being removed equally along the bevel, especially at the toe and heel. Most straight razors aren't straight and getting the bevel developed equally along the length of the edge is one thing you're trying to learn.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Steve56

Just knowing what problems many people face learning to hone, here are some suggestions.

You need to test as you go. If you are sure the bevel is set at 1k, try using the HHT after a short stropping off the 4k stone. You are not using HHT to measure sharpness, you're looking for two things; that the edge passes HHT off the 4k and that it is the same all along the edge. I do this off a 5k as a final bevel-set test. If it won't pass HHT off the 4-5k stone the bevel is not properly set.

Try cutting your pressure by 75%. Almost everyone uses too much pressure when learning and a razor's edge, especially a hollowground one, is so thin that it flexes, and the bevels get rounded and aren't properly hitting the hone and therefore the edge doesn't develop like it should.

Also get a magnifying glass - your microscope may work - and examine the bevel after each grit to verify that the scratches are being removed equally along the bevel, especially at the toe and heel. Most straight razors aren't straight and getting the bevel developed equally along the length of the edge is one thing you're trying to learn.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers, Steve

Thanks. I need to go back to the 1k. The bevel is not set because it could barely shave arm hairs after 1k.

Originally Posted by Chet

Thanks. I need to go back to the 1k. The bevel is not set because it could barely shave arm hairs after 1k.

Bingo. It all boils down to having a bevel set

bob

“I have set the bevel 1K, verified by microscope.”

Chet, why do you not want to use tape?

How did you, verify the bevel was set, and which stones are you using?

Post some photos of the razor, both sides of the blade.

Funny thing about the HHT is that because we all have different hair, someone else's tests and result mean completely different things. In order for it to be of any value how your hair performs in HHT has to be completely evaluated with know sharpness levels and verified until you are certain what it means at different levels.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Funny thing about the HHT is that because we all have different hair, someone else's tests and result mean completely different things. In order for it to be of any value how your hair performs in HHT has to be completely evaluated with know sharpness levels and verified until you are certain what it means at different levels.

That's absolutely true - of every test, TNT, TPT, cherry tomato, HHT, etc. Almost every test works well once you've used it enough to be proficient at it and understand what it tells you. I've always liked the HHT because it's probably the closest thing to shaving and if you can't get the razor to easily cut hair, well.... It seems the same as treetopping hair on your arm or leg, hair held at one end, razor cuts at the other.

Cheers, Steve