Thread: Can I set a bevel with a 4K Norton?

Sometimes learning is about doing and experimenting.

Originally Posted by lightcs1776

A thread where folks sign up to willingly kill their edge???? That's hard to wrap my head around, but hey, maybe it isn't so bad if you are really good at restoring the edge.

LOL

Let me give you a demonstration of just how fast an edge can be killed and then brought back at that level of grit (Chosera 5k)

Granted I have honed a few razors


watch how fast it goes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMchDtXzUO4

Its really been answered. IMO, tape, take a close look at the edge, if you see chips or shiny spots when looking straight down on the edge then go with a 1k. Kill the edge lightly. This will help in bringing the edge back all together and not one spot at a time. If you go with a 4k you will be having to clean your stone a lot as it will load up a lot and in turn wear the stone a lot more than needed. Check your tape often. If you see it getting worn, retape. Feel what is going on, listen to what is happening. Watch the bevel closely develope. A loupe is helps to see.

Get a start and ask questions. Lots of posts on this already but we will help you to get a start. Just keep in mind that the bevel set, the first step in honing is the most important.

If the bevel is present and basically sound, sure. I do light bevel work on full hollows with a Shapton Glass 4k fairly frequently - that’s exactly what I bought it for.

But not all ‘as found’ bevels are equal - if you have to remove chips, devil’s spit, pitting, etc it’s usually better to drop down to a 1k or 2k stone. Why? Finer stones are more expensive and slower than coarse ones, so if you have to do a lot of work on a 4k vs a little on a 1k, the 1k followed by the 4k is a better choice - providing that you have the 1k.

Cheers, Steve

“Can I set a bevel with a 4K Norton?”


Yes,

You can bevel set on a 12k. It all depends on the condition of the edge.

A 4k is more aggressive than most folks think. If you are just touching up an edge an 8k might do it.

Most of the razor in my rotation will never see a 1k again, as long as I own them.

Here is an old post on setting a bevel and finishing on a 12k, even removing a small chip. (12K Chip Removal/Bevel Setting)

And here is a good post with great micrographs of a new honer going from bevel set to finish.

Second try at Honing. So you will know what you are looking at through the scope.

Post a pic of the razor.

That was a great read/thread on the 12k Marty. Simply amazing you could get a 12k to work that way. Makes me rethink about my honing

One drawback to me of using the 12k is I use the wet thumbnail test to verify. 12k bevel doesn't bite like the 1k. That's why I always use the 1k.

No, the 1k is way more toothier. A 1k edge is ragged, a 12k should be smooth laser straight.

You have to calibrate your test, to the edge you are testing. The point of the 12k bevel set is, that the 12k is more aggressive than folks think and for most “touch ups” an 8 or 12k is really all you need.

Maybe. But for what it's worth it doesn't take much to set on a 1k. And then go thru the progression. I use spray and go chosera. What's the downside? To me none. I don't think any man can wear out a razor in a lifetime or 2.

If you know how to hone a razor, none really.

But if you are new to honing, there are tons of examples of excessive abuse.

The Op’s question was, “Can I set a bevel with a 4K Norton?”
And the answer is yes.