Thread: Norton Honing Pyramid

The main problem for the progressive group has always been a lack of clarity, neither of you have done anything more than describe how easy it is, but still have failed to provide even a modicum of guidance (although using a DE blade is a great idea), which is fine in this thread. Having been one of the few people to ever attempt to walk someone through honing step by step progressively through this site I have a particular appreciation for the pyramid, but I look forward to both of you spelling the process out in a single post (or why not an entire thread with pictures). I await it anxiously.

AFDavis, I have to strongly disagree with you here. Both JoshEarl and I have posted our complete methods several times and newbies were able to get their razors shave ready with just the information that we provided. Much of this information was deleted in the crash but the progressive camp has absolutely taken newbies from not being able to get a razor shave ready to getting a great shaving edge in one thread. Here is just one post-"forum crash" example of a "walkthrough": http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=16920

Furthermore the guide that I posted at B&B is pretty much as complete as you need. At the end of the post I clearly stated that once a quality bevel is set then it is easy to polish to a shave ready edge using different stones. I said that one could just stay on the Norton 8K for 10 to 20 passes or do 100 on both the blue and yellow. If you did the rest of the work right then your razor will shave great. If you want more guides then you are going to get it in the near future. I will be making a comprehensive honing video at the end of march which will cover what I consider to be the fundamentals of honing. Hopefully the video format will make it even easier to learn with. Bart also is finishing up a complete guide on using the belgian stones which is turning out great.

I think, if the pyramid group had a lawyer, he would say "put up or shut-up". Sadly, it doesn't.

And you can't act like little babies about it either, you have to act like men.

But it would be great if you put half as much effort into creating a thread about your method as you do criticizing the ones that have already been proven

I really don't think that the insults are necessary AFDavis.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

...
But it would be great if you put half as much effort into creating a thread about your method as you do criticizing the ones that have already been proven. Its fundamentally silly for us not to have several threads on how to hone (with pictures) on this forum. It would be better for you to establish what you guys think is right and then compare it, advocate it, support it, or whatever it needs to eventually become proven. Why not start a different thread and discuss it, come to a concensus (if possible), and then post it. It would be a wicked cool thread, no matter how you look at it.

This is a great offer, and long overdue. Which moderator would be willing to turn such a guide into a "sticky"?

I think it would be great to just C&P some of HeavyDuty's and JoshEarl's posts together and create such a thread. The refinement of the "final version" could always come later. All the info needed has pretty much already been written, it just isn't "all in one place" yet.

Plenty of people would be willing to contribute to such a guide now that they have an offer to get the method "stickied". I believe the reason such a purpose-written guide may not have been done yet, could be the lack of belief that it could/would ever become a "sticky", alongside it's pyramid brethren.

EDIT: the progressive method has already been proven, I literally know Kindergarten kids who have learned it. Or, to paraphrase Geico's jingle, "So easy, even a pre-schooler can do it".

Now you guys are taking the bull by the horns, and my apologies for what probably feels like a cold water splash, I forgot that some of you might think it was directed at you.

Pictures would have an intense impact. Imagine actually having pictures of kids learning how to hone . . . (you guys should start your own thread and start brainstorming a little).

Just so I'm clear because some really wishy washy links are added to this thread, I'm suggesting a concise tutorial on how to hone with whatever method you guys are pushing. I also prefer the name Progressive approach over a "Normal" approach, but hey, you guys knock yourselves out (to include naming it whatever you want).

It's too late to post pictures of my Grandchildren learning to hone, many already know how. The ones over 5 anyway. I'm sure their parents (and I) wouldn't want their pictures on the internet anyway. Those reasons should be rather obvious.

There is little incentive to make such a thread/guide without the expectation of it becoming a "sticky".

Really? Ok, well I'll throw the idea up in the Mod forum and let you know.

AFD, Sticky,

Quite an interesting thread. So any 5 year old can learn to hone a razor in 30 minutes or less? We fumble fingered thick fingered dimbulbs are champing at the bit to learn what the secret is. Don't hide your talents at instruction. Hey, once taught, I'll even print up my own honemeister diploma - once I learn how to write.

Teach on, gurus, time's awasting.

Originally Posted by Sticky

...
If you don't know how to use the TPT, "mow hair" test (or HHT variation), marker test, and TNT; then one will have to use something like the pyramid scheme. The only problem there is that the pyramid scheme seems to require the TPT too. Why not just learn all the tests and be done with it?

My posts are under the assumption that anyone can learn, and most importantly use, all of the above tests in well under 30 minutes. The only equipment required is a DE razor blade or other razor sharp edge. Any new user needs only a small amount of verbal instruction to learn them.

As an example: I know several pre-schoolers who learned all of the above tests. Not one took longer than 30 minutes to learn them all. They did practice longer though, by choice; the little maniacs love those sharp edges. Surely an adult razor user can learn the tests in the same time frame. Learning the tests is easier than memorizing a pyramid table; and far more useful.
...

Originally Posted by Bruce

AFD, Sticky,

Quite an interesting thread. So any 5 year old can learn to hone a razor in 30 minutes or less? We fumble fingered thick fingered dimbulbs are champing at the bit to learn what the secret is. Don't hide your talents at instruction. Hey, once taught, I'll even print up my own honemeister diploma - once I learn how to write.

Teach on, gurus, time's awasting.

You missed the quote. I said "I know several pre-schoolers who learned all of the above tests. Not one took longer than 30 minutes to learn them all."

Honing takes a bit longer; but you can get your first success very quickly there, too. There is no secret.

Sticky,

Thanks, I feel so much more hone worthy now.

Bruce,
No problem, misquoting/misunderstanding a post can be easy to do. It happens.

oooh, which way do I go...which way do I go....

From a newb to razor honing/sharpening/polishing...I and the others would be forever grateful (ok for a long time) if there were consise graphic instuction manuals stickied to the top of the honing section. I think I have a handle on the reasoning behind the pyramid "scheme" j/jk and can also see why common logic would suggest that the Progressive technique would work better. Obviously to quote one of my Masters "it doesn't matter so much HOW you get there, but that you do and that it is done right".

BTW pre-schoolers learn at a much faster rate than adults.