Thread: A Bevel Experiment!!!!!

Haha, I already have 5 so I think i better start taking the notes now. RAD is a terrible, terrible disease.

So, I'm completely convinced that establishing the bevel is very important, but I don't quite understand when a bevel is considered established. I say this because what I'm getting is that you establish the bevel and then move to pyramids to sharpen it up. Do you start doing pyramids as soon as the edge passes the marker test? Or should it be at least popping arm hairs?

Originally Posted by KingOfMalkier

...Do you start doing pyramids as soon as the edge passes the marker test? Or should it be at least popping arm hairs?

The marker test shows you where the hone is working the edge. It is also a valuable tool to help you develop your honing stroke with razors having a smile.

Bear in mind that passing the TNT might be from the existing edge that is different from the bevels that you are trying to set now.

I'd say that when the edge passes the marker and TNT then you have a good working bevel. Use both tests with any new-to-you razor that you are setting a bevel on. A freshly set bevel on a 1200 mesh or 4k should shave arm hairs with ease at skin level. How well it mows hair above skin level will depend on your own hair's characteristics. For instance, my fine arm hairs are not easily mowed by a 12k edge, I have to go more by how they are "grabbed/pulled". YM will V. I use the TPT and the mowing hair test once I have the bevels set. I like the TPT the best.

After my razor passes the TNT, I move to my next finer hone. I don't use pyramids. After putting an 8k polish on an edge, it seems counter-productive to me if I go back and put 4k striations on my 8k bevels. I believe pyramids are designed to prevent new users from over-honing (and avoiding wire edges, maybe). Another reason I don't use pyramids is because I don't use a Norton...

After the bevel is set I just polish on each successively finer hone/paste until a noticeable difference is seen. For me, setting the first bevel usually takes the most time.

EDIT: Here's a good reference link. I stole most of this post from it...

Originally Posted by Sticky

The marker test shows you where the hone is working the edge. It is also a valuable tool to help you develop your honing stroke with razors having a smile.

Bear in mind that passing the TNT might be from the existing edge that is different from the bevels that you are trying to set now.

I'd say that when the edge passes the marker and TNT then you have a good working bevel. Use both tests with any new-to-you razor that you are setting a bevel on. A freshly set bevel on a 1200 mesh or 4k should shave arm hairs with ease at skin level. How well it mows hair above skin level will depend on your own hair's characteristics. For instance, my fine arm hairs are not easily mowed by a 12k edge, I have to go more by how they are "grabbed/pulled". YM will V. I use the TPT and the mowing hair test once I have the bevels set. I like the TPT the best.

After my razor passes the TNT, I move to my next finer hone. I don't use pyramids. After putting an 8k polish on an edge, it seems counter-productive to me if I go back and put 4k striations on my 8k bevels. I believe pyramids are designed to prevent new users from over-honing (and avoiding wire edges, maybe). Another reason I don't use pyramids is because I don't use a Norton...

After the bevel is set I just polish on each successively finer hone/paste until a noticeable difference is seen. For me, setting the first bevel usually takes the most time.

EDIT: Here's a good reference link. I stole most of this post from it...

+1 on everything Sticky said.

Basicly: - set bevel till it shaves arm hair EFFORTLESSLY
- polish bevel on finer grits (don't overdo it)
- strop on leather and shave

No pyramids for me either: I tried them, switching between a Belgian Blue and a Coticule, but on those stones there seems no advantage coming from this method.

Good luck,

Bart.

Thanks Bart and Steven. I got the edge to pass the marker test using a 1k norton. I think I'll keep doing laps on the 4k norton until it also passes the TNT. Reading heavy's post (for the thousandth time ) along with your comments, that makes sense to me. The marker tells me it's an even bevel, all the way to the edge. The TNT tells me it's sharp enough that proceeding to the 8k will actually be worth my time. I think I'll probably stick with pyramids at that point, because I am such a beginning honer.

I suppose I could have pieced that together, but it's so helpful to hear the experienced folks say it. Sometimes the subtlest way you guys phrase it makes it really click.