Thread: How to hone and when

What is the best way to tell what kind of honing to use on a given blade at a given time. Say I have a Wap, that is pulling or not cutting the mustard as you may say. Would I use the pyramid on a norton? 3-3 1-3-1-5?

If we're just talking about touching up a razor that's starting to pull, I'd recommend the following:
3/5, 5/5, 3/5, 3/5, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 - test
And I would recommend doing that or something very similar. I would also recommend doing it consistently every time, or whatever minor variation it is that you find gives consistent results. THat way you can truly develop a honing technique. You know, the 'wax on, wax off' approach.

X

The best way to have a shave ready razor is to keep it sharp rather than sharpen it. A few licks on a coticule or a Norton 8k every couple of weeks saves a lot of time and avoids possible accidents. "A honing in time, saves time" - many thanks to Benjamin Franklin.

Originally Posted by xman

If we're just talking about touching up a razor that's starting to pull, I'd recommend the following:
3/5, 5/5, 3/5, 3/5, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 - test
And I would recommend doing that or something very similar. I would also recommend doing it consistently every time, or whatever minor variation it is that you find gives consistent results. THat way you can truly develop a honing technique. You know, the 'wax on, wax off' approach.

X

Could anyone explain to me (the beginner) what the honing terms: 3/5, 5/5, 4/5, 23/4 mean Thanks.

Originally Posted by Nicolas

Could anyone explain to me (the beginner) what the honing terms: 3/5, 5/5, 4/5, 23/4 mean Thanks.

I believe it refers to honing on a Norton 4000/8000 with 3 laps on the 4k followed by 5 laps on the 8k, then 5/5, etc.

Thanks Jim,

Can somebody confirm this. And . . . what would be a good number of passes to get your razor sharp? What are the different 'pyramids'??

Jim is correct.

I am having a difficult time making an even stroke on the first leg of a pass on the 4000 side of my norton combo stone. The toe of the razor always seems to meet some resistance and lift off of the hone. I have lapped the side 4 or 5 times and am having the same problem. Would pressure be used in this instance? I am just beginning honing and do not know what the problem is and how I should fix it.

How did you lap your Norton?

I soaked the stone and the flattening stone for about 15 minutes. Then I put the stones on top of each other and rubbed until the pencil grid was gone. I held one stone in the right and one in the left.