Quote Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
What I highlighted in blue is pretty much my whole point. It all hinges on learning the edge tests, especially knowing when the edge/bevel is really done. Once you know when you have the bevels right, you're home free, a return to the 4k to finish a bevel won't be necessary. The marker and TNT together are very easy to learn and conclusive regarding a good bevel.
I'm in almost total agreement with Sticky's viewpoint on this whole thread. I slightly disagree on the TNT: in my experience it tells me that I'm nearly there with the bevel, it usually takes a little more "bevel setting work", before I'm pleased with the TPT results and decide to move on to the polishing stage of honing. In my case, that means moving from the DMT-E (which I consider a "bevel-setting" stone) to the Belgian Blue which I use as a go-between to the coticule (my polishing stone).


Quote Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
In this respect it would be nice to have a single post that describes all of the tests in clear terms and is easy to link to for the new people. Unless such a sticky already exists.
It seems to me such a guide already exists, and is probably the most referred to external document in the SRP forum: David's (heavydutysg135) guide "in exile" on Badger&Blade http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=31640
I agree that such a welll-formulated guide should have it's permanent spot on SRP.

I don't doubt for one second that the pyramid-methods leads to excellent honing results for those that use the Norton 4-8K combination stone. I understand it's an excellent way to prevent overhoning, apparently a real issue when learning the skill on a Norton (I don't own one myself). In ignorance, I've tried to translate it to the BBW - coticule combination (which is confusingly enough also often rated 4K -8K) and the only thing that would lead to was frustration.
Then I went with those that advocate the "set bevel, do the tests, then polish bevel" approach and found out that honing a razor isn't black magic after all.
Clearly, there are two honing-schools on SRP. I don't see why they shouldn't be able to co-exist peacefully. The first few weeks after I arrived on SRP, I did what I reckon most guys do when they get here: I browsed and searched through the various sections for answers to my many questions. When it came to honing, I ended up with a great deal of mixed information. Two clear and complete guides of both methods in the library would have saved me four months of trial and error. I just would have picked the one that suited me and my hones best. Of course I still would have needed the guidance of the forthcoming people that are out there on the forum, but I'm sure it would have prevented me from a lot of idiotic attempts to buff a dull knife to razor sharpness.
Bart.