Thread: Basic Honing Question...

I'm not getting nearly enough out of my 8k.

I've now got a fine collection of hones and can do a heck of a progression but I'm just barely getting shave ready with a finishing hone, and .5 micron paper while I should be getting shave ready around 8k and wooo wooo past that.

I've got to the point where I'm doing a decent x and keeping the edge and bevel even. I'm not lifting the blade or dropping it on the stone nearly as often .

I seem to end up with a wire edge, wipe it off and move to the next higher grit. Is this a function too much pressure, overhoning at that grit level? (or is this about right?)

Should I try pyramids until I get a better sense of the steel , or something else or am I doing the right thing (kind of doubt it).


I've got the basic movements just about worked out but I don't have a touch/sense for what the steel is going to do (or not do for me). I don't mind wasting a few razors figuring this out but I haven't hit on a way of breaking this down into learnable pieces.

Advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Yup lighter fingers, started again but very very lightly and lots of patience.
My edge is very very shiny. We shall see in the morning.

-Bob

When I hone a razor I have never honed before, I set the bevel on a stone that is between 1 and 2000 grit and I don't move from that hone until I can shave arm hairs then I go to my higher grit polishers!
When I set the bevel I use a some pressure till the end where I use little to no pressure. the polishers ( 6k and above) I use very little to absolutely no pressure and stropping I use a little more pressure than I use on the polishers and lighten up considerably on the last 2 or 3 passes!

I hope this helps!?

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

I'm not getting nearly enough out of my 8k.
...
I seem to end up with a wire edge, wipe it off and move to the next higher grit. Is this a function too much pressure, overhoning at that grit level? (or is this about right?)

Could be pressure and/or overhoning.

After you wipe the wire off, make the edge pass the TNT again on the 4k. As soon as it does, along the whole edge, go to the 8k.

Should I try pyramids until I get a better sense of the steel , or something else or am I doing the right thing (kind of doubt it).

Pyramids are sorta' designed to prevent overhoning (IMO). Before you begin the 8k, see what trying to mow arm hair off feels like (cutting edge above the skin), and use the TPT for later comparison. Now do some conservative pyramids and re-test (arm and TPT) after each set or two. If you don't like pyramids, test after every 10-15 laps. Use very light to no pressure. As soon as you notice a nice change on the 8k, go to the finishing hone. Trying to get too much from the 8k can cause overhoning.

As soon as you notice another level of change on the finishing hone, it's time to move on... Rinse and repeat with the 0.5 micron if you wish.

I like to finish up with about 100 to 150 laps on 2-4 layers of newspaper on one of my hones.

Luck,

Robert~

Stop wiping the edge off the razor. This isn't knife honing. That edge you keep wiping off is the edge your supposed to be sharpening. Back off a little on the number of strokes at each stage. There is a finite window of strokes.

I forgot to address the wire edge removal. If you really have a wire edge (not microchipping) you will want to remove it. Backhone 3 or 4 times or pull the edge across a matchstick or similar. Some folks prefer to keep right on honing over it.

In any event, there are 2 important points here.

• if you have a wire edge, get rid of it.
• pass the TNT on the 4k before you go to the 8k.

I followed your directions and listend to mssr. chandler last night on chat while I tried again.

I finally have a nice straight even bevel...
after a progression of light honing through my hones I got my best shave yet this morning.

One Lesson Learned (ish):

I think I know what a bevel looks like and can set one (at the cost of too much steel but I'll do better next time - I'm going to have to order another dozen wapis).

I won't think "grind" when I should think "polish" .... gently Bob, gently

The next lesson

I'm still not getting enough out of my 8k. (more than before - as I think I'm finally using the 4k properly ) I wouldn't have been very excited about heading up for a shave after the 8k and that is for certain.

It wasn't till I relapped the 8k and built up a bit of a slurry that I found that it was doing a nice job for me last night. I figure when the water starts to run up the blade I'm just about there (true?). Should I finish with a dry/damp 8k?

How do I get the last bit out of my 8k before I switch? I'm pretty sure I'm only getting about half of what it should give me in terms of polish.

Thanks Again,
Bob

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

...
How do I get the last bit out of my 8k before I switch? I'm pretty sure I'm only getting about half of what it should give me in terms of polish.
...

If you had a microscope you could look at the bevels and edge before using the 8k and periodically while using it. When the 8k striations look very even and consistently polished then you are getting your "8k's" worth. Without a 'scope, use a magnifier if you have one (or not) and try to judge the bevels' polish by reflecting light from them. Either way, as before, mow your arm hair and use the TPT.

The shave is the best test and your goal. If you have decent shave technique and get shaves that are irritation free with no pulling (excepting maybe a problem area): then what the 8k is giving you is more than enough.

To get the best polish, use the lightest touch. The light touch is also my biggest problem when sharpening.

Good Luck,

I have a 30X to look at my blade with. I noticed at least one obvious flaw in my technique today that should make tomorrow better than today.

My stroke towards me is flat and even but when I push away it isn't nearly as smooth. I had one side of the blade nice and shiny and the other rough.

I switch hands and suddenly both sides are shiny.

I will try the scope tommorrow. I'm hope to declare wapi #1 shave ready real soon now.

- Bob

There is no point to using a slurry on the 8K side. If you find it necessary then you should have done more work in the 4K.

Always use the 4/8 Norton wet. if you do use the 8K with a slurry then finish with just water.

There is absolutely no reason to use more than 25 roundtrip laps on the 8K. If you use that many and the edge is still not where you want it then go back to the 4K for a few laps, then back to the 8K. generally 7-15 laps is more than adequate on the 8K.

Hope this helps,