Thread: Setting the bevel

Hi all,
Ive been working on setting the bevel of my new wapi. I'ts my first razor hone, and I'm just after a ballpark figure of how many passes to use in establishing a bevel? I'm worried about overhoning. Do I just keep going until its set? After how many passes should i stop and test?
Stu

what grit is the hone? are you taping the spine?

Don't go by number of passes, every razor is different.
Try thumb pad test, and get used to it.
I try to compare the feeling of the str8 with a DE blade, and I'm still learning.
When they're close then I move to a finishing stone (Yellow coticule in my case)

Hi thanks for the response,
Im using the 4k/8k Norton stone. Ive been using both sides of the stone, following the conservative pyramid honing technique as shown in the sticky at the top of the forum. Should I be solely using the 4k to get the bevel correct?
Stu

Sorry I forgot, I am taping the spine.
Stu

What works best for you is the way to do it. There are some who set the bevel initially on the 4k then proceed to the 8K, and others who follow the pyramid religiously. It has been awhile since I owned a 4k/8k (broke mine a long time ago and am a cheap #$R#% to get a new one so far) but what worked for me was to hone on the 4k with even strokes until it felt like the razor was just starting to "grab" at the hone, usually after water flows evenly over the edge as discussed on another thread. Once this happens, it generally always passed the thumbnail test-then it was time for the 8k, moving even slower, and as soon as the similar "grabbing" sensation on the hone gets close it is usually time for the strop and the thumb pad test or HHT whichever you prefer.
Give it a try, hope this helps some.

John P.

Thanks for the reply, i took on board the advice about watching the waterpushing in front of the razor and then over the blade when the bevel is set, and it was an excellent indictor. When I reached that point, i started the 3/3, 1/3, 1/5 pyramid and it passed the hanging hair test. Will shave test tomorrow morning! Thanks to the thread also on the forum, "An Observation and a question"
Stu

To set a bevel on a VERY dull or uneven razor, I progress the Norton pyramid on 220/1000 grit until its set. Then continue onto the 4000/8000 grit to set the edge and final polish on the Chinese 12k grit. Works very well for me after 60 laps on the strop and others have complimented too.

Rick