Thread: "Suction" on the stone?

Originally Posted by mnealtx

I was DEFINITELY using a light touch on the 1k!!

I've got a good, smooth, even draw on the thumbnail test...on to the 8k!

You'll be a honemiester before you hit 100 posts! Fun isn't it?

Yeah, it is... except for cutting myself!!!

Definitely a 'zen' sort of thing...like target shooting or skydiving...

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Not really, although I find a Chinese 12K does have issues with suction.

Meaning suction is hard to achieve on that stone? When I use it, the razor almost feels like it floats over the stone on a film of water.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think you should be able to obtain suction on any 3 inch wide stone, but having not tried them all I don't know for sure. The garnet shape and spacing probably effects how long it takes to get suction.

Only my Norton is a 3 inch stone. My coticule, thuringen and Chinese 12K are all about 2 inches wide. As I said, I haven't achieved suction on any but the coticule, so I guess my technique still needs work. My mustache and chin whiskers are telling me the same thing!

Yes, I have trouble obtaining suction on a 12K. I don't really mind it though. I get enough suction on an 8K that I have to "break" the razor off the hone. It goes POP, when I pull it off.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Yes, I have trouble obtaining suction on a 12K. I don't really mind it though. I get enough suction on an 8K that I have to "break" the razor off the hone. It goes POP, when I pull it off.

Now THAT's how sharp I want mine to be!!!

(is that with the spine taped or without?)

Without tape. I think its just indicitive of a smooth bevel.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Without tape. I think its just indicitive of a smooth bevel.

You think? I hope to be that good, eventually!!

Well, I've got a good smooth edge on the Boker now... still no "stickiness", but that'll come with time, I'm sure. I'll test shave it tomorrow or the next day, once the whiskers recover from the beatdown the Solingen put on them...

Thank you, Alan - I truly appreciate your advice, support and encouragement - it made a world of difference!

No problem, thats what we are here for. All the Senior Members get together every Sunday evening for "High Fives"

Remember, don't hurry anything. Everything has to come together for a great shave.

Lol,

a couple of data points:

• no suction may also be caused by a warped blade (on a 3"er it may show more)
• sometimes slurry consistency may also influence degree of suction, in my personal experience
• I don't have a 12K, but achieve great suction (with some razors) on much higher grit hones. For the others that I don't achieve great suction on the same stone - I guess I haven't found the best approach

Cheers
Ivo

Alan - in regards to your earlier comment about the razor "popping" off the hone when it's smooth... care to share how you get to the point? It seems (at least to me at this point) like that would be thousands of strokes on the 8k.