Thread: My 1K/4K challenge

Now the learning takes another step.
Iron it out as best you can and then do it again in a year or two. It’s a good learning proccess. You can start throwing in thumb pad tests and hanging hair tests too and get it all dialed in together.

Originally Posted by JellyJar

At this point I'm really pretty sure I'm there. I did a mess of light laps with water and then went with super light laps until the stone was "dry" and did about 25 more laps with no standing water. The TPT and hair tests are equaling some of the best I've ever done (frankly I've shaved with worse). I'm really surprised/excited about how this edge feels with just the 1K. Seriously, didn't think it would be quite this level.

I think I'll cross my fingers and get to the strop.

I'm actually glad I did this challenge. Even if the shave is horrible I feel like I'm starting to really improve my honing.

I wanted to point this out earlier but didn't want to mess up your thinking process


That was the important part, the 1k challenge is great and as you go higher in the progression it will show you more

BUT

The concentration and attention to detail is the actual learning process here LOL we tricked you into paying REAL attention to the bevel set, once you learn how important that really is, honing becomes fun

.....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The concentration and attention to detail is the actual learning process here LOL we tricked you into paying REAL attention to the bevel set, once you learn how important that really is, honing becomes fun

I have to agree with the concentration thing. Before I even began I knew there was no other stone to save me from a poor edge, I was much more focused on getting everything just right.

Now your focus can be put to the strop. For it will enhance, or destroy all your work.

A bit more forgiving than a stone, but just as important, if not more.

Take two shave today.

I did one light pass on the corner of the stone and felt 3-4 "rough" spots. Got the water undercutting again (60-70) light laps. I added another 15 really light laps with the stone "dry."

The shave was pretty similar to the first. The difference was the edge didn't feel like it was going away at the end of the shave and it was maybe a little more comfortable.

Next up is a wedge (the Wosty I just finished). I actually started with it last night and it was so not close to getting there, so much metal to remove...So I cheated a bit and went to my lower grit stone to get the bulk off. I'll be working with the 1K today and will definitely joint the edge and bring it back before I shave.

I'll probably test it next weekend and let you know the results.

I've been thinking about my hollow sharpening and have pretty well figured where I had been going wrong. I was getting under cutting of the water with pressure and in my head went "ah bevel is set time to add some light laps and move on". What I didn't think about was the flex of the blade and had stopped paying attention to the water at the edge.

Thanks again for all your help, I'm starting to understand this honing thing much better.

Update on the wedge progress:

I've had a few trials and think I'm close, but have probably removed more steel that I really needed.

First problem: I shouldn't have chosen the Wosty...man this steel is hard! Ah well, it needs to get done at some point.

Second problem: I had used a coarser stone to get the bevel close before I went to the 1K. Spent some time on the 1K and there was an area that wasn't getting 1K striae to the edge. So, I went back to the coarser stone for a bit...yep all striae going to the edge. Back to the 1K...nope same thing. I did this a couple of more times before I thought about what was going on. I recalled it had been a while since I'd flattened the coarse stone. I don't use it much so I didn't think it would be out. Then I remembered my son uses it for his pocket knives - grid, sandpaper, yep wasn't flat. Didn't have that problem anymore.

Third problem: Got undercutting with pressure and the hair/thumb tests were feeling pretty good. So I started lighting up on the pressure and the tests started getting worse. Added pressure tests came back, lightened up and they got worse. I got a little frustrated and put it away for the night. I took it to work to look at it with a good microscope and...ah...wire edge. I think the wire edge was coming off when I lightened up the pressure causing the decrease in the hair/thumb tests. I jointed the edge and started bringing it back.

Fourth problem: The blade started to feel uh..."off" when it was on the stone. It didn't feel like I was making progress towards setting the bevel. Sharpie time, nope not better. Tape! I hadn't changed the tape! Put a new piece on and started making progress again.

So I've developed a minor obsession with checking flatness and changing tape but now have what feels like a good edge from the toe to a little past the middle of the blade. The heel area is still not there. I've been trying to vary the pressure as I move from the heel to the toe (lightening up as I move to the toe). I started noticing the different feel of the blade on the stone (it's rougher at the heel and I can feel it smooth out as I near the toe).

Overall I feel like I'm really learning a lot with this challenge and hopefully will get to the point where I don't feel nervous giving a blade to someone to try.

I always get tape in a 3 pack, a really bad razor can chew through a roll fast. I always throw a fresh layer on before the next stone and do 10 or 20 light laps, then continue to the next stone with that tape.

Yep. the old tape issue. I bet most of us that use tape have ran across this. Welcome to another new club.

Amazon had the 5-pack of 3M Scotch 700 for $9.98 yesterday or the day before. A great buy considering another seller was asking $6 per roll (singles).