Thread: My 1K/4K challenge

There are a lot of ins and outs and moving parts. It sounds like you are really getting your head wrapped around the concepts and seeing them in practical application.

Another quick update:

I finished all 10 hollows on the 8K and have 4 left to test shave. So far I've only had to go back on one (Genco). Going back to the 4K with the Genco taught me a couple of things. I was getting a better feel for the blade "sticking" to the stone and was better at seeing the rough spots with and without magnification. I used that one and a Geneva this morning and got a nice comfortable shave. Still got a lot of practice to go, but I feel like I'm making solid forward progress.

I'm thinking of ignoring the wedges for a while longer and work with the hollows on my Ark. I'll pick out one of the easier blades and just stick with that one until I get where I want to be.

Not surprising that the Genco wasn’t quite there, the steel on the American steel is generally more difficult to abrade. Sounds like it’s going well.

I finished the last test shave of the hollows this morning and I'm feeling good about my progress. I had a second razor I had to take back to 1K (microchips), but I got it sorted out and it behaved well. Working though the 10 razors has been a great learning experience.

So until I get back to wedges thanks again for all your advice and help.

I just wanted to say that this has been a really helpful thread to read through. I've got my first set of stones on the way and have been looking for tips, tricks, and suggestions. This thread, especially the commentary from JellyJar was great. Sometimes reading something through the eyes of a beginner helps material to click! I'm not sure anything different was said on this thread than many of the dozens of others that I read, but seeing how a relatively new honer interpreted and then reinterpreted the advice was great.

Originally Posted by Atbat82

I just wanted to say that this has been a really helpful thread to read through. I've got my first set of stones on the way and have been looking for tips, tricks, and suggestions. This thread, especially the commentary from JellyJar was great. Sometimes reading something through the eyes of a beginner helps material to click! I'm not sure anything different was said on this thread than many of the dozens of others that I read, but seeing how a relatively new honer interpreted and then reinterpreted the advice was great.

I'm glad to know this helped someone other than myself. There will be a bit more in the future when I tackle wedges. Lately, I've been obsessing over learning my Arkansas stones.

I've also been finding this thread interesting and helpful. In the last few months I've gone back to concentrating on the bevel set after having an "ah-ha!" moment with a certain razor. I still have a couple more 1k test shaves to go, but so far I've had two of the best shaves in recent memory from just a 1k edge. Both were on American hollow grounds (an Ontario Cutlery Barber's Special and a Red Imp 133).

After 3 years, I think I'm finally beginning to understand this honing business....

I always like what my friend and our Senior Mod Glen (gssixgun) says about honing. I'm pretty sure this is a quote:

"Just when you think honing is easy; It ain't".

Every once in awhile when I'm honing a razor that I 'knew' I'll be thrown a curve ball.

I shaved this morning with the last of the 10 hollows I've been working with and thought I'd post an update.

All but three gave a shave I was pleased with. I've re-worked two of the three. One didn't have enough time on the 8K and one had some areas where I hadn't quite got the bevel fully set. I'll be shaving with those in the near future and will see about sorting the third in the next week or so.

I'm getting better at circles and some judicious use of finger pressure. Both of these techniques have helped reduce the time I need to spend on each stone.

Gasman was kind (brave?) enough to test a blade I sent him and gave me some great feedback. Something he said about the feel of a "perfect" edge stuck - "smoothness that feels like it can't cut you". I wasn't quite sure what he meant until I pulled out my 5/8 Genco. First pass I knew exactly what he meant, and it was a wonderful shave. Thank you again Gasman . Now I know I can get that last 1% with my equipment, I just need to get my skills a little more dialed in.

I think I'll spend a bit more time on the hollows before I jump into wedges.

Great reading thank you

It makes me think I should try out the 1k shaving - to ground or reset my practice, keep me on my toes!