Thread: What the heck? Stainless steel honing

I agree with gssixgun also. The foundation of a great edge is the bevel/edge formed with a 4K stone. 9 laps on the 4K is simply not enough, it might be if the razor had been shaving sharp before. You will need to stay on the 4K until it feels "sticky" and passes the TNT. Perform the various sharpness tests frequently, that will give you a sense of the progress.

It is not necessary to use a very light pressure at this stage. A bit of pressure for 25 laps followed by 10-25 with a light touch, then test, would be my approach. I would also have a bit of torque on the blade edge, that is the weight distribution would not be even but would have less on the spine and more on the edge.


Just my two cents,

Yea, you need more work no doubt. Don't think of it as more difficult, think of it as more work.

I think stainless is a smaller target to hit too. Don't overhone or underhone. You need to hit the target just right. That is the trick to stainless blades, I think.

Big +1 on the extra finishing strokes . . .

UPDATE: I really put some sweat into this razor last night. Took about 50 strokes on the 4k side and it finally got sticky. Then I did 20 on the 8k side and 20 on the Coticule. Got a very decent shave this morning, much much better than before. But, it still could be sharper. Do I need to do more on the 8k side at this point?

Originally Posted by prhomme

UPDATE: I really put some sweat into this razor last night. Took about 50 strokes on the 4k side and it finally got sticky. Then I did 20 on the 8k side and 20 on the Coticule. Got a very decent shave this morning, much much better than before. But, it still could be sharper. Do I need to do more on the 8k side at this point?

Try some more work on the finishing stones (8K and Coticule). If the razor improves then just stick with these stones until it gets as sharp as you want it. On the other hand, if the razor does not improve with these stones and you know that it should shave better based on other razors that you have shaved with then you will need to go back to the 4K and do more work (or maybe some pyramids) to further develop the bevel then polish it on the 8K and Coticule.

There ya go!!!!!! those SS razors just take a little bit more TLC then watch out!!!!! hehehe....

I have a pre-WWII Dovo Inox #41 Fritz Bracht SS that would not hone up for quality shave. What made it finally work was that I sent it to Texas Knife Makers supply to be cryogenically hardened ($4.00). That's what it took for this one.