Thread: Honing on a Norton 4k/8k

Hi there!

I recently purchased a Norton 4k/8k from one of the senior members here on SRP - many thanks to SRP for providing such a wonderful "cyber-place" for us all. I also bought some time ago a few razors on a local flea market for practicing purpose.

My question - after 3 times - is the following: I have been using Lynn's pyramid (both normal and aggressive) to get a sharp edge on the blades. What I found was that if I spent too much time on the 8k side, the blade would get dull. But if I went back to the 4k for a few strokes and then do another few on the 8k it is gonna pull and cut my arm hairs. Am I right?

Another question. Do you normally do twice as many passes on the 8k than on the 4k?

Looking forward to your comments,

Adam

There will surely be someone more familiar with the pyramid method who can help you, but in my experience, it is better to assess the needs of the edge as you go rather than follow a set pattern.

What I mean is, hone on the 4k until the edge is "sticky sharp" then move on to a few strokes on the 8k or a conservative pyramid to finish it off. Check the edge as you go every few passes so that you can identify when/if you've developed a wire edge (which is probably what's happening when you say the 8k dulled the edge) and do a few back honing strokes to remove the wire.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

There will surely be someone more familiar with the pyramid method who can help you, but in my experience, it is better to assess the needs of the edge as you go rather than follow a set pattern.

I shall keep that in mind in the future!

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

What I mean is, hone on the 4k until the edge is "sticky sharp"

Now, what does "sticky sharp" mean exactly? Sticky when doing the TPT or dragging some arm hair?

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

then move on to a few strokes on the 8k or a conservative pyramid to finish it off. Check the edge as you go every few passes so that you can identify when/if you've developed a wire edge (which is probably what's happening when you say the 8k dulled the edge)

What is a "wire edge" exactly?

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

and do a few back honing strokes to remove the wire.

I shall do that.

Thank you very much for your advice! I will proceed according to your suggestions the next time I have some spare time to hone a bit more.

But there is one more question. How do you know when to switch grit and when to stop? And is the 8k enough to set a proper shaving edge before stropping?

"Sticky sharp" refers to the TPT. When the edge seems to stick to the very top layer of skin when you touch it, your blade is sticky sharp.

You should switch grits when the edge is sticky sharp. Actually it's more of an intuitive feeling once you've got some experience, but switching when the edge is sticky will get you going in the right direction.

A wire edge is is when a tiny flap of metal starts to form on the cutting edge during the honing process, also called a burr. It happens when the edge was sharp enough to move to a higher grit and you did a few extra strokes before moving on. Back honing for a few strokes should fix it, do a search for instructions, there's a good thread on it somewhere.

Many people say that the 8k is perfectly fine to shave off of after a little stropping, I have never liked it. But it is a personal preference type of thing so give it a shot and see how it goes before committing to a finishing stone (though they are nice if you can afford one).