How sharp with what grit ?

OK, being new at this, my thirst for knowledge is never-ending.

*QUESTION* .....How sharp should you expect a 4000 Norton to get a razor ?.....Hair test ?.....Thumbnail/Thumbpad test ?.....Strop and shave ?

Same question for the 8000 Norton..............

After the 8000, my only option at this time is the yellow coticule, and (from what I understand) that does not sharpen, but simply "tricks up" the edge......maybe not even to an extent that would be noticable.....(or am I wrong on this) ?

Of course I know that the last thing you do before you shave is strop.

Thanks in advance for your opinions !

Marko......

I would say that at the 4k level you should look for the razor
to cut the hairs on your arm -- at this point the razor is `sharp'.
What the 8k and the coticule do are smooth out the edge and
bring it to a finer point. This is obviously desirable for shaving.

A Norton 4/8k + Coticule is a great combo that will be able to
bring many different razors to shave-ready sharpness. I would
say that you are all set to go :)

- Scott

Thanks Scott.......I appreciate the reply !

I'm not trying to be a "honemeister", but just trying to take care of
my own stock.

Any tip's are GREATLY appreciated !

Marko.....

At 4K you should be able to shave hair on your arm but the blade will still be jagged. If you try to shave with it, it will pull your whiskers. It would cut them, but not be very comfortable. Go to the 8K to polish out some of those edge teeth and it will be much more face frendly. I can go 600 DMT (set bevel) 1200DMT, 4K Norton, 8K Norton, strop and HHT. Give it 30 light passes on 0.5 micron chromium oxide strop, then 50 passes on a strop and the blade glides even easier across my face. I can pass the blade through the raised hair on my arm and will effortlessly mow down the suspended hair.

When I get a batch of blades, I look like a dog with the mange. Bald patches down each arm. The things we do in the pursuit of a frighteningly sharp blade.

Any abrasive, no matter how fine will sharpen the edge, its just that the really noticeable difference is in the smoothness of the cut. So we generally say that everything up to 4K is "setting the bevel" or sharpening the blade to one consistent bevel angle and everything beyond that is "honing" or refining edge to make it acceptable as a shaving implement, the higher grit you go the smoother the edge is and the easier it will cut.

The 4k/8k and Coticule combo is a winner, with practice you'll have some really fine razors.

Thanks guys !.........this is the kind of info. I'm looking for !

(and the "moral support" helps too) ! :)

Marko.......

You should have a very acceptable shave off the 8K. I wouldn't worry about further honing until you master the 4K and 8K. If you have trouble getting a good edge off the 8K going higher as a crutch to poor honing isn't the answer.

Thanks Big.......That's kind of what I thought deep down inside.....

Now that I heard it offically from the "powers that be", it makes me feel better about my honing skill.....(or lack thereof). :(

It's easy to fall into a mindset such as: "Well, I've been honing for weeks now.....I've got a 4000, an 8000, a yellow, and a beautiful Linen/Leather strop.....and to date, I haven't produced a razor that will shave me !" :thinking:
.......MAYBE I need some pasted strops & bench-hones.....and a bunch
of different kinds of pastes ? :rolleyes:

I think the only thing I really need is patience & practice !

Marko......

(ps.....I AM working with "second-hand" razors, so it's not like I'm "good-to-go" right out of the box). :shrug:

The lighter you can make your strokes on the 8K (or any other grit), the sharper your razor will be...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sticky

The lighter you can make your strokes on the 8K (or any other grit), the sharper your razor will be...

---

Absolutely, in the final steps of honing, you should be trying move the razor across the hone, without putting any downward force on it, just the weight of the razor. And go SLOWLY at this stage, remember, your trying to create an edge SO fine, that it can be knocked out of alignment by accidently tapping ANY part of the razor on a hard surface.

Patience, as well as Practice.

Lunumbra

Thanks Guys !......I think that may be my "learning curve" to work on.

I've read that "the lighter touch, the better" is what you want for the honing process.......and I've got to admit, it's easier "said than done" !

"Patience" can wear quite thin when you're trying to get a razor to shave you !

I think I even saw a "you-tube" clip that showed a guy pressing down with his other hand while honing !

Looked like he was quite a "razor-wizard", with a fancy splash-tub and all.....and he seemed to be quite convinced that his razors were perfectly honed.

I guess my common-sense grabs hold of me when I think I have the ability to sharpen a straight-razor.......(up to this point, I would be well pressed to prove that).....but.....BY GOD.....I'm not giving up that easily ! :shrug:

Marko.....

Regarding pressure: it is possible to employ some pressure to get
a razor sharp a little quicker. You must follow up with no-pressure
honing to get it truly keen, especially in the polishing stage. I (and
many others) do not recommend any pressure at any stage in the
honing process as it can cause more problems than it's worth.

If you stick with honing with no pressure, you will be able to use
the exact same stroke every time at each level of grit, and this
will lead to a finer and more even edge.

- Scott