Thread: First time honing

welcome aboard sonny. im relatively new to honing my own razors as well - bought the same exact stone setup after reading these boards. you might want to consider also picking up a 2k or 3k naniwa as well. its a pretty big gap from 1k to 5k and adding the 3k really helped finalize the bevel and kick-start the rest of my progression.

im obsessing over jnats at the moment, but still like using the naniwas to get the razor started.

have fun.

Originally Posted by sloanwinters

you might want to consider also picking up a 2k or 3k naniwa as well. its a pretty big gap from 1k to 5k

Between the two, the 2k is a better option than the 3k for filling that gap.

Interesting. I had been wondering if an intermediate step between the 1k and 5k would be useful.

Congrats.

It’s nice to get that first one under your belt.

Yep. 30X is just right.

I also use the 1K 5K 8K and 12K progression as per Lynn's youtube video, work perfectly fine, you need a lil more time on the 5K when not using a 2 or 3K


Important part of honing that you will learn with experience are edge probing assessments.

You will learn what to look for in the edge at which stage and to see if the entire edge is where you want it to be; the most trouble I have is when toes or heels are lacking and need more attention, but that's another discussion. Mostly on normal razors like yours it shouldn't give any trouble.

One thing that helps is to use a magic marker on your edge and put it to the stones and see if the entire edge is getting honed and making good contact.


Aside from the things above, using the synthetic setup with your listed hones should be the best and easy way to start honing razors.
Lap count is a guidance but not a given, you'll learn what to look and feel for.

I do quite a bit of honing. I have 2 microscopes, a couple of battery operated loupes with lights and several regular loupes.
What I have learned is you need a loupe that let's in a lot of light and has a good field of vision.
Here is what I use most often...30x and about twelve bucks. The best of the bunch.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F192453951096

Pete <:-}

Ok,I had previously mentioned an odd reflection in the bevel. I now have some magnification, and it turned out to be a little chip in the bevel. I couldn't see it with the naked eye, but it was apparently big enough to catch light.

I took it back to the 1k stone until the chip was gone. Then I went back to the progression up through stropping. I shaved with it this morning, and again it was a nice, efficient shave. FYI, I appreciate everyone's advice. From here I should be able to just maintain this razor.

Slightly off topic, this is my smallest razor, and I'm enjoying its maneuverability compared to the larger ones I own. I suppose that part of the learning process is going to involve figuring out what works for me (variety also being nice, however).

The more that you look at edges under magnification, the less that you will need to do so. At least, that is the case if you continually look back and forth between the scope and naked eye. By doing so you will get better at judging the edge just by looking at the reflection of light off the bevel.

Originally Posted by sonnythehooligan

Slightly off topic, this is my smallest razor, and I'm enjoying its maneuverability compared to the larger ones I own.

Rubbish ! I have heard women thing size matters. That is why today I am using a lawn mower blade.