Thread: Progressive Honing Guide

Progressive Honing Guide (v2.1)

//The Progressive Procedure
1. Set the edge on a flat hone. Establish the bevels using 1k to 4k grit, or use your grit of choice. Use the marker and TNT until the edge passes both. Do 3 or more additional very light laps to refine the primary edge bevels.

Now is also the time to check to make sure that all of your blade is reaching the hone. Use a permanent marker to paint the edge of the razor before honing. After 5-10 laps you will be able to see any warping or high spots, and adjust your technique acordingly. You can reapply the ink as often as needed throughout the honing process.

Once you set the edge (primary bevels) it will never be necessary to do it again unless you damage the edge (chip it, roll it badly, etc...).

2. Polish on the next finer hone or paste of choice. Begin each finer honing step/grit by using the TPT and/or hair tests to establish your starting level of sharpness. Test using the TPT and/or hair tests every 3 to 20 laps, depending on the hone media used. Repeat the "laps and test" cycle until satisfied with the results (i.e. you notice a nice change).
If you try to get a "100% finish" from each hone, you will likely get "100% plus". A finish over 100% is also called a wire edge. Train yourself to settle for something under 100% and wire edges will be avoided.

3. Repeat step 2 or strop and shave.

That's all there is to it. The following text elaborates on the above.

//Required
1. A knowledge of how to do the HHT(and "mow hair" variation), TNT, marker test, and TPT.
TNT: Use a damp thumbnail. A dull edge will pull smoothly and freely over the nail. A sharp edge with well set bevels will dig in and/or drag across the nail with a smooth, even sensation. Practice with a DE blade (e.g. by using electrical tape to tape the DE to your razor's blade). This test is most useful while setting the primary edge/bevels. Try not to use the TNT on any edge over 4k.
TPT: Use the slightly dampened ball of the thumb or finger. Move it lightly along the edge (not across). If sharp, the edge will have a "drawing" or "sticking" feeling. Practice with a DE blade. This test, with a little practice, can be useful at all stages of honing and stropping.
HHT: Hold the razor still and bring a hair to the edge. The hair may fall or pop from the edge depending on sharpness and your hair's characteristics. The "mow hair" variation is done by moving the razor above your skin through some hair. Some razors will shave well even without passing the HHT tests. Especially so if the hair used is very fine/thin. You can also use a DE blade here to see/test how your own hair responds to a sharp edge.
Marker test: Use a marker to color the edge on both sides. After 5 to 10 laps, examine the edge to see where the razor is contacting the hone. This test is useful to set bevels, identify warped razors, and while learning to hone smiling/frowning razors. Also use it when first learning to hone to help develop a nice, even sharpening stroke.
A better description of the edge tests can be found here: Sharpness Tests Vs. Edge Uniformity Tests - Bevel Creation Guide http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=31640
2. A razor, hones and/or pastes, stropping material.
3. The tools to lap/flatten those hones that need it.
4. How to know when you have under-honed, honed enough, and over-honed.
Under-honed is when you have not yet set the edge (bevels), or your next finer hone step has not made your razor sharper than it was on the previous hone/paste. Honed enough is when you have set good bevels, or your next finer hone step shows a noticeable improvement. Over-honed is when you have a wire edge, or have otherwise made the razor duller than it was on the previous hone/paste. It could also be an out-of-flat hone or bad operator technique.

//Honing
Use a flat hone. A good tutorial on lapping can be found here. http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...ing-101-a.html
Honing progression:
An example of a grit progression range could be 325, 600, 1000, 4000, 8000, 12k to 16k, 32k, 0.5 micron(approx. 60k), 0.25 micron, and newspaper(approx. 0.1 micron). A typical grit progession is 4k, 8k, 12K, .5, for razors in decent shape. The objective is simply to set the bevel then remove the striations from one grit stone using the next higher grit. The lower grits are used to set a bevel faster. Beginners should probably not use a stone below 1k.

Some go directly from 8k to 0.5 micron green chrome oxide. It's a big jump, but it still works. It might just take a little longer. An 8k or rougher edge can be "shavable". Many like a bit finer edge. Swaty barber hones, for instance, run about 10k-12k. Many experienced honers like the coticule.

With a fresh from-the-factory edge, a 4k grit can be enough to set the edge. Many prefer to set duller or vintage edges/bevels on a 1000-1200 grit; it is faster.

//Honing Examples, Factory versus Dull Vintage:
Using a new razor a member could apply 3-5 passes with a 4K stone, check the bevel for consistency, conduct a TNT and/or black marker test, pass it sufficiently, apply 2 x 10 lap sets on 8k and test shave after each set.

Using a dull vintage blade a member might use 30-40 passes on 4k, followed by a TNT, follow up with another 10 passes, pass the TNT, try the black marker test, pass it sufficiently, and then complete 2 x 10 laps on 8k. Test shave and perhaps add one more 10 lap set.


//Hints and tips
The pressure of the razor on the hone should be less than twice the weight of the razor when finishing up on each hone/paste. The lighter you can make the finishing strokes, the sharper your razor will be. No downward pressure would be ideal, but use the minimum needed to keep both spine and edge on the hone at all times. Flip the razor on it's spine to begin each stroke. Use two hands if necessary.

Practice the TPT with a fresh DE blade and a damp thumb. Better yet; if you practice with a slightly used one, you will learn to feel the different levels of sharpness along the edge. You could also slightly dull/nick/roll one side of the DE blade on purpose and compare it to the factory side. A DE blade will get you up to speed with the TPT very rapidly.

Protecting the spine:
When setting your initial bevel apply a single thickness of electrical tape to protect the spine of your razor. Although this can add about 1/4 to 1/2 a degree to the bevel, the final result will be the same.

An alternative to TPT or TNT is a 30x or better magnifier. Once you have a basic bevel your goal is to remove most (80%) but not all of the scratches left by the previous hone before progressing to the next hone. This is an excellent tool to help you learn and diagnose problems. Works well with the permanent marker.

Wire edges: If you overhone and get one of these, wipe it off or backhone 2 to 4 strokes. Use the TNT to be certain your bevel is still complete and continuous. If it isn't, re-establish it.
Another way would be to go back to a coarser hone (such as the 8000). 2 or 3 passes is often enough. If the razors edge feels gritty or painful when shaving you should suspect an overhoned edge.

Lapping with a concrete block: Use the large side of the block. Use plenty of water. It's relatively fast, and it works on any natural and synthetic hone that is softer than the block is (many are softer). The surface is rougher than that left by a DMT D8C 325 mesh, but is still usable. I, and others, like to smooth up on a 325 mesh (or finer) afterwards. (e.g. Double Duck barber hones are fairly soft and lap up well; with an Arkansas hone: lap on a diamond plate...)

Stropping:
Keep the strop taut. Go slow, fluid. Roll the edge over the spine before you get to the end of the strop and start moving back before the edge touches down.

Add no pressure but try to feel the draw of the blade if you can (some strops don't draw).

If you prefer/wish to add more "draw" to your leather, use a very light application of pure Neatsfoot oil (or similar). Apply and spread 2-3 drops on your hand first before applying it to the leather. If dripped directly onto the leather, it will soak in too quickly to spread evenly.

Don't assume that by stropping more or applying pressure that you'll suddenly learn how to shave and get a better shave. Its almost never the strop that is the problem.

It is, on the otherhand, often poor stropping that becomes the problem.

During normal use the razor bevels near the edge will round or become otherwise misshapen. This can be caused by stropping, shaving, paste, oxidizing (micro-rust), etc... When pastes and/or linen and/or the strop no longer brings the edge back to shaving sharpness, touch-up the edge on your finisher of choice. Often, only 5 to 10 laps are needed. Touch-up honing isn't normally needed very often, 30 to 90 shaves (and more) are not unheard of.

//Hone Specifics
This section offers some guidelines on "lap counts" for specific hones. This information will quickly become less useful as soon as you have a small amount of experience. For the new user, this information can still be somewhat useful. Remember, these are guidelines only; change it to suit your own style/hones. Always rely on the edge tests far more than lap-counting. Test whenever you feel that you should. Test at a lap-count interval that you determine for yourself, based on the cutting speed of your hone/paste and your own experience.

0.5 micron Green Chrome Oxide on leather or balsa: strop for 10 to 30 very light laps. Test. Repeat if desired.

Barber Hones: Generally: they cut fine when dry, finer with water, and finest with lather. Grits vary widely. Test every 5 to 15 laps, until you discover your particular hone's cutting qualities.

Belgians: They cut faster with slurry, slower (and finer?) with water.
Coticule (Yellow) 8k: The grit can vary between hones. After the bevels are set, 50-100 laps usually work well. Test every 10 to 20 laps, until you discover your particular hone's cutting qualities.
Blue (BBW) 4k: After the bevels are set, 50-100 laps usually work well.

Chinese 12k: 60-80 laps is typical for this slow cutter, some use up to 100 for finishing.

DMT E 1.2k: 5-20 laps, varies greatly depending on the razor. Check your edge frequently, and protect the spine with electrical tape (when desired). This stone will cause extensive wear in a very short time. A very fast cutter.

DMT D8EE 3 micron(8k): when setting a factory edge/bevels, use marker and TNT/check the edge every 5-10 laps. Once the bevels are complete and continuous, check every 5 laps. 5 to 15 very light laps (after the bevels meet) are often sufficient.

Kitayama 12K: 15-30 strokes with a very thin slurry, hone must be lapped clean and pressure must be as light as possible.

Newspaper: 1-3 layers on anything flat. 60 laps. Test every 20 laps thereafter. Approximately 80 to 140 laps is "normal" for most razors.

Norton 1k: initial 10 laps, spin the stone 10 laps, checking TPT in between, after that 5 laps at a time, TPT after each 5 until TPT is sticky sharp.

Norton 4k/8k: 4k: when setting a factory edge/bevels, use marker and TNT/check the edge every 5 laps. If used to set an initial bevel (dull, vintage...) it can sometimes take many more... test often to avoid excessive wear.
8k: use sets of 10-15, depending on steel hardness 2-4 sets can be used. Applying little or no pressure. This is the point where pressure seems to make the most difference in the final result.

Spyderco M, F, UF: Medium: when setting a factory edge/bevels, use marker and TNT, check the edge every 5 laps.
Fine: 15 laps, every 5 laps thereafter. Ultra Fine: same as the fine. These hones are fairly fast cutters.

Hones/Pastes:
0.25 micron diamond paste - finisher, can make the edge too sharp, or prone to microchipping. Use sparingly.
0.5 micron Green Chrome Oxide - finisher, for a nice fine edge. (Some of the bar stuff (e.g. Formax) is as large as 6 microns. Hand American 0.5 CrO powder is of known quality.)
Barber Hone(s) - usually a finisher, will probably require lapping. Some combination types are found.
Belgians - Blue and Yellow available separately or as a combination hone.
Belgian Blue - setting and refining bevels, will require lapping.
Belgian Yellow (Coticule) - 8k or more (depending on surface (dry, wet, or with slurry)). Will require lapping.
Chinese 12k - finisher, will require lapping.
DMT D8C - for lapping hones and general knife use. Major razor repairs. Will never require lapping.
DMT D8E or D6E - for setting edges/bevels faster, medium razor repairs, and knife use. Will never require lapping.
DMT D8EE - a basic tool for sharpening razors and minor repairs. Will never require lapping.
Kitayama 12K - finisher, will require lapping. very fast cutting, and can produce a very fine edge.
Newspaper - finisher, for a nice fine edge.
Norton 4k/8k combination - a basic tool for sharpening razors and minor repairs. Will require lapping.
Spyderco M - setting bevels and some repairs. F - setting and refining bevels. UF - finisher, may or may not require lapping.
There are many other hone choices.

//Useful Items (this list will never be complete...)
Electrical tape.
Permanent marker.
Magnifying tool 30x or better.


You don't need all of this stuff to get started with honing. A minimalist (lapping-free) kit could be a D8EE and 0.5 green chrome oxide on a 2-4 sided paddle or hanging strop with canvas/linen.

There are many ways to get to your goal. Use the methods and equipment that you enjoy using. Enjoy the ride.

*Credits/contributors: all the members of all the razor forums on the internet (whose ideas and practices have been freely "borrowed" and incorporated into this guide. You know who you are. And thanks). Honorable mention goes out to those who responded to questionnaires which gave the very first draft of this guide it's direction and much of it's content: AFDavis11, Bart, Heavydutysg135, JoshEarl, and Mike_ratliff.

The above is a preliminary version, as promised earlier in this thread: Norton Honing Pyramid.

It is deliberately kept short and brief as I believe it will be more useful that way.

The finished version of this might be wildly different. Expect it in about a month. In the meantime, this will hopefully help the newest members get "up to speed" with their honing.

Comments and criticism welcome.

A most excellent write up!!!!
You handled a sharpening method that works so well, but is very hard to explain.....

I guess I could add some info on the Norton 1k in here if you would like,
I have been using that as my initial bevel setting tool for about 50 razors, the results are excellent with an initial 10 laps, spin the stone, 10 laps, checking TPT in between, after that 5 laps at a time, TPT after each 5, until TPT is sticky sharp.... Pretty much like you stated above only using the Norton stone.....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

...
initial 10 laps, spin the stone 10 laps, checking TPT in between, after that 5 laps at a time TPT after each 5 until TPT is sticky sharp.
...

Thanks for the 1k lap counts gssixgun. Added.

Question, do have to, or should you strop a razor after using .5 and .25 micron diamond paste before you shave. Assuming that you've cleaned the cutting edge, not leaving any paste or residue?

Kind regards,

Originally Posted by Soopercat

Question, do have to, or should you strop a razor after using .5 and .25 micron diamond paste before you shave. Assuming that you've cleaned the cutting edge, not leaving any paste or residue?

Kind regards,

I always strop before I shave (except when testing stuff).

Sometimes a new razor user might want to shave before stropping to make sure their stropping isn't actually dulling the razor.

It's also one way to see just how good your honing is right off the hone.

In general, always strop right before the shave.

Thanks to you guys for the info,,makes me more confident to try my own honing.

Originally Posted by Soopercat

Question, do have to, or should you strop a razor after using .5 and .25 micron diamond paste before you shave. Assuming that you've cleaned the cutting edge, not leaving any paste or residue?

Kind regards,

If you don't strop, the razor police will come arrest you, if you take those tags off your mattress the mattress police come to arrest you too....
You can try anything you want, Me I strop before every pass but that is just my choice...
Plus I might still have a warrant outstanding from the lather police and they are real tuff...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

If you don't strop, the razor police will come arrest you, if you take those tags of the mattress the mattress police come to arrest you too....
You can try anything you want, Me I strop before every pass but that just my choice...
Plus I might have a warrant outstanding from the lather police and they are real tuff...

Nice...part 2 of the question then is how much do you gain by stropping after .25 paste. I have it in my head that I lose something after paddle strop/hone with .25 then stropping.. stropping before every shave is something I've always done. But in experimenting with different razors and hones, now .25 paste, can't put my finger on it but that first shave without hanging stropping felt different (good).

also could have been technique on my part.

kind regards,

Very nice writeup and great timing. I'm about to start honing myself.