Thread: Overhoned?

I have been trying to learn to hone on a Fromm 72R razor--I have not come close to a decent edge, but my technique has definitely improved. That might only mean it is less bad than it was, but it has improved.

Anyway, I do wonder if the razor I am learning on is now overhoned. How can I tell if it is, and how do I get back to square one?

Thanks.

You could look at the edge under magnification and look for jagged micro chipping or a folded edge, or you could try the TNT and feel for it... Back honing corrects it fairly quickly...
Those Fromm's are an extremely hard steel so unless you went right past a good bevel on a 1k stone I would bet that you didn't overhone it since you didn't say what stone you were using it is hard to tell...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You could look at the edge under magnification and look for jagged micro chipping or a folded edge, or you could try the TNT and feel for it... Back honing corrects it fairly quickly...
Those Fromm's are an extremely hard steel so unless you went right past a good bevel on a 1k stone I would bet that you didn't overhone it since you didn't say what stone you were using it is hard to tell...

I can't see anything jagged or folded, but all I have is a 10X loupe that I used to use on my slides (chromes to the guys in the UK).

I started on a 1K. When it passed the thumbnail test I went to a 4K, then 8K, and finally to 1.0, .5, and .25 pastes. It got sharper to the touch and still does dig into the thumbnail, but it does not shave well at all. It does not cut with the grain, and it hangs up going across the grain and does not cut.

I remember learning that a razor could pass the thumbnail test and not be shave ready--that's what I have!

Ben

Originally Posted by iRabb

I can't see anything jagged or folded, but all I have is a 10X loupe that I used to use on my slides (chromes to the guys in the UK).

I started on a 1K. When it passed the thumbnail test I went to a 4K, then 8K, and finally to 1.0, .5, and .25 pastes. It got sharper to the touch and still does dig into the thumbnail, but it does not shave well at all. It does not cut with the grain, and it hangs up going across the grain and does not cut.

I remember learning that a razor could pass the thumbnail test and not be shave ready--that's what I have!

Ben

Part of the problem here might be the Thumb Nail Test. If you are doing this test after you have honed it. You should not do the TNT on a razor that has been honed because it will damage your edge.

Did you try the Thumb Pad Test and the Hanging Hair Test. The TPT should give you a good feel of the edge. IMO the TPT is the next best test to actually shaving with the razor.

Like I mentioned in my post those Fromm's have really hard steel, I honed one for a member here about 2 months ago, I remember that it took some work on the 1k to create a sharp bevel after that I spent a little extra time on the 4k getting that bevel to shaving sharp after that it was a normal honing and polishing.....

Good luck!!!!

usually an overhoned razor will kind of skip or slide over your beard very easily and cut nothing. from what your saying it doesn't sound like a classic case of overhoning. It may just need more honing. How does it shave your arm hairs?

It does not cut much from my arm at all. A little, but that's it.

Ben

My guess would be that your bevel isn't quite right yet, that tends to be the biggest problem people have when starting out.

a razor with a proper bevel should cut arm hair, long before it is shave ready.

Fully agree with Mike. What hone are you using?

I agree that the bevel is not yet formed. My suggestion is to use an aggressive pyramid and testing with the TPT and your arm hair frequently.

Some razors are much more abrasion resistant than others. Yesterday I honed a Dovo, a TI, a Chinese Double Arrow and a custom. The custom required 5X the number of strokes on a 4K than the others did! Compare 50 laps with 250! Thats a major difference. The good side to this is that the custom should retain its edge much longer as will your Fromm, most likely.

Just my two cents,