It has been said before, and I'll say it again, it's important to start out with a razor that has been honed by one of our honemeisters: Lynn Abrams, Bill Ellis, Joe Chandler, etc., etc. - then you have a reference by which to set your standard by. I use a microscope. I know what the bevel and edge should look like after looking at a couple of edges honed by Lynn Abrams and Bill Ellis; also, how well they shaved. Each razor has it's own personality; and depending on it's history and age, each will require perhaps a different approach to getting that bevel where you want it before you begin you progressions of sharpening. One thing I've learned, if your bevel is not straight and perpendicular to the edge, it's going to be a difficult road to get your razor to that keen ready to shave state. - also, you want that edge to be as close to a ruler edge as you can, i.e., no micro chips! - straight as possible. I use a 1200 DMT to set my bevels. There is no sence in moving on until I get that bevel as described above. I will go back and forth to the microscope until I am satisfied. - from there, weather you use the Norton combination, or the blue and yellow Belgiums, or whatever, it's a matter of polishing out the scratches on that bevel until it is dark with as little glitter on the edge as possible. Easy to say, I know. You will find that some razors will hone up beautifully(like the Wapi's) and others will be a headache, and at least a challenge. Once you've set the bevel, go to that 4K, do progessions with the 8K, try different things. Keep going back to the scope. I now go to the 4K (the blue Belgium, for me) and stay with it until I like the looks of the bevel and my edge is scarry sharp. I then will do progressions betweek the 4K and 8K and then finish polishing on the yellow belgium w/o slurry until I feel it's ready to shave with. ...and, believe me, stropping might be your most important step in this entire process! It will make or break all the work you've done if not done properly! When I'm preparing a razor, my final step is to strop at least 100 laps(up and back). I can't stress this enough.

It's a fun road to learn what each razor will need; it's a learning process. I live here in the honeing section, and I pick up things every day. Example: I can't remember who said this one, but one of our members said, "My honeing skills improved 90% when I learned to lift the edge before completing each stroke". This has helped my honeing skills tremendously!

This learning process having to do with honeing will never be completely learned. Even our experienced honers are still learning. You will just get better and better, until the next problem razor.

Sorry to be so windy,

Regards,

Steve