Thread: Question about honing stainless

Hello,

I'm an amateur honer, but I've gotten good results with carbon. I have a coticule, Belgian blue, and Norton 4k/8k. I usually only use the first two and check in with a pocket microscope.

I recently picked up one of the shaveshop NOS Friodurs and no matter what, I just can't get the microchips out of the head. Am I doing something wrong that I don't know about? Am I going to need a rougher hone?

Thanks,
Dan

You will likely need something coarser. I had a razor with microchips in the edge that I thought were small enough to get out with a blue (which is roughly 4k). Hours later I'd barely made any progress. I whipped out my 1200 DMT and had them gone in a matter of seconds

Even though I don't have a passable edge on a razor yet, that DMT has come in extremely handy. It sets bevels like no one's business, eats even larger nicks and chips for lunch, and I've used it to put some wicked edges on knives. If you can swing it, you might try it out.

I was looking at picking up some DMTs when I get my tax refund. Guess I'll wait for that to happen.

It's a shame, though. I love this razor and can't wait to use it.

-Dan

I know the feeling. I've got 4 beautiful razors I'm dying to use and can't

When/if you decide to get one, I highly suggest getting it from Howard at theperfectedge.com. My box got to me so fast I couldn't believe it!

That's probably the way I'll go. I met him at the MA get together and got some great lessons from him. Bought the Belgian stones right there.

Aww man, I'm so jealous. As great as it is having all the support here, there's nothing like having someone show you. When it comes to labor, I am very much a visual person. Lucky devil!

I can't imagine that you would need more than a 4K Norton. It took me a very long time to get my SS and some of my harder CS blades dialed in, but the 4K should get you there.

Jordan

In case anyone is interested, a few nights ago I turned on the TV, cracked open a couple of beers and spent a good amount of time slowly honing the razor in question. This morning it gave me a very impressive shave. I guess what I was missing was patience.