Thread: Honed my first razors!

This is for the noobies out there, like myself, to assure you that honing your own razors can be done!

I got a honing set up for Christmas (DMT 325 for lapping and Naniwa SS 5K, 8K, and 12K and 30x loop for magnification). I had a couple older razors to practice on (which I recommend). They had bevels on them in that they would pop some arm hair, but they were pretty rough as viewed through the loop. To really make sure I was putting an edge on the razors, I lightly killed the edge on the side of the stone. I've watched Glen's video on tape/no tape where he sets a bevel with a 1K with tape, dulls it, and then brings the edge back on a 5K without tape. So, I figured I could start with bevel setting and bringing the edge back at the 5K level. It worked after some experimenting with a mix of techniques from Glen's videos and Lynn's videos on bevel setting (many thanks to them and others from us visual learner folks who need video!).

I then ran through a pyramid going back and forth between 5k/8k. Finished with a few laps on the 12k and then a few laps on a diamond sprayed felt paddle strop. Last was plain felt strop and leather strop. And, much to my surprise and pleasure, they shaved! Granted, the edges are not the greatest that I've ever experienced. I suspect this is probably a product of over honing, more pressure than necessary, or not having the bevel set as well as it could be. BUT, and this is the point for all the noobs out there, it can be done! I also found it quite relaxing...additional bonus!

Before I get carried away with finishing stones, I think that I may need to work backwards with bevel setting and get a Chosera 1K. My question is whether I could jump from the 1K to the 5K, or whether it would really be better to get a 3K for the go between?

So grateful that this forum exists!

Great Story, Job well done and very nicely put, to answer your ? I would say yes, I go from 1000 to 4000/8000 N without any trouble, Then 16000 Shapton. But if I Was to change Anything I would go to the Nan, 12, Ty

The general rule of thumb is the optimal jump is double the grit rating that you're on. So 1 to 5 is a big jump. Going from 1 to 4K with Norton hones is a little different because the 4K is aggressive and the system was designed around the 1-4-8 progression. But 1 to 5 can certainly be done. You'll just spend more time on the 5k cleaning up 1k stria than you would on a 3K.

But if you're cleaning up vintage/second hand razors you're definitely going to want a good 1k for bevel setting. Doing that on a 5K can take a fair amount of time I'm sure.

Edit: Almost forgot, congrats on the success!

Great job!!! It is a great feeling to shave with a blade you have honed from bevel to finish.
And your first one makes you feel like king of the world!

Smaller steps is easier in the beginning. However the large jumps are possible with a little experience and practice. 1-3-5-8 is an easy walk, but with time the 3 would likely see little use. In the beginning however setting a strong set on the bevel is more difficult and you would likely get the best edges from 1-3-8, is you wanted to omit one hone. 1-5-8 may be a tougher climb for a newer person to honing.
Congratulations on your new addiction. I hope you spend a lot of time with each new hone and do not just buy hones like crazy and never really learn any of them.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I hope you spend a lot of time with each new hone and do not just buy hones like crazy and never really learn any of them.

Point well taken, and another one that I learned during this process. That's what I would share with other guys looking to try this--learning and practicing the first steps at the bevel stage are key. I feel no need to go acquiring natural finishing stones at this point. If anything, I think I could benefit most from practice at a 1K level and then on up. I feel very confident that 5 / 8 /12 Naniwa SSs will serve me well for a very long time and will improve through practice, practice, practice.

A lot of folks are quite happy with the Naniwa 12K as their finisher, so I'd agree there's no need to rush and add new hones. Spend time getting reliable, repeatable results off the Naniwa stones. Once you've got a handle on them maybe venture into the wide world of natural hones. There's a lot of fun to be had with both. Right now my biggest issue is figuring out which system I want to play with on any given day.

I use a 1, 5, 8, 12 rotation.

My 1K is the Naniwa professional (chosera).

All the rest are speciality (super) stones.

I have no problems making the jump from 1K to 5K. I don't use any slurry on any of the hones.

I can shave from a 1K edge. It's a bit rough but possible. If you can't get a near perfect 1K edge then you will need the 3K and still might miss the mark.

As for the 12K finish. I've just done 2 of my every day razors on it this week rather than one of my naturals. It's a decent enough edge, and doesn't require any brain power to get it right. The simplest natural that is very similar to the 12K in operation would be a Thuringian. Everything else seems to need slurry dilution, or loads of laps. As a new honer it's best not to have to worry about either as it increases the chances of making that 1 silly mistake that sets your edge back.

Originally Posted by jseitz

Before I get carried away with finishing stones, I think that I may need to work backwards with bevel setting and get a Chosera 1K. My question is whether I could jump from the 1K to the 5K, or whether it would really be better to get a 3K for the go between?

If you are wanting something between the 1k and 5k, the rarely mentioned 2k is a much better option.

So despite reading that one should stay away from honing in the beginning and just focus on shaving. With that said I bought a fine Jnat to refresh my edge and my first attempt definitely didn't go exactly how I imagined it. Reading this boosts my confidence greatly.