Thread: Ordered Some Slipstones

Firestart has said just about everything there is to say about using these.

The only things I could is that I've had success using the pyramid honeing method. I treat the slipstones just the same as a Norton I just multiply the number of strokes needed by four to account for the small size and slowness of the hones.

I am slowly getting there. Tomorrow, hopefully I will have a shave ready razor again. Wapis sure have a mean edge, and they take forever to hone. My first honing session was a disaster. The first time I was pressing too hard on the slipstones. I did a bunch of laps on the 1000, then worked the pyramid with the 4000 and 8000. When I finished it still was not cutting hair. I decided to do some swirls. I stupidly went back to the 1000 which probably undid the whole edge. I swirled on the 4000 and then the 8000. The edge was cutting slightly. I then proceeded to strop with the edge leading for several strokes before realizing what I had done.
A whole morning's honing wasted. I did the thumbpad test and it was dull. I got angry and so I dulled the entire edge with a toothpick. I decided to let it rest for a few days, and do more reading. I tried it again this morning. This session was a near disaster. The middle of the blade was popping arm hairs, but the heel and toe are extremely dull. I tried a shave but very little happened. I had to finish everything with my DE. At least the middle is sharp. I sliced my thumb nicely when I was switching hands while stropping. I lapped the three slipstones. The 4000 and 8000 lap easily with the 1000. The 1000 needed sandpaper to flatten. I did 75-100 laps on the 1000. I worked through the aggressive pyramid, and did a few other sets. I proceeded to do 100 laps on newsprint. I ended up dropping my wapi on the concrete floor.
It looked ok, but I probably ruined alot of the morning's work. I did a few more sets, but i am sure the drop did not help the edge. I found that I need to hone 1/2 the blade and then the other 1/2. I need to use a light touch, and to wear gloves. Do not hone when tired. I should be there tomorrow, or at least the end of the week.

I started on my survival knife stone. I did 20 toe laps and 20 heel laps. I then did the same on the 1000 grit slipstone. Then I did the pyramid doubling the number of strokes; first the heel; then the toe.

After i stropped I had a nice mean edge again.

I had the most comfortable str8 shave; no cuts; no bruises. I still have trouble with my jawline. i still have to work on my technique. I thought I would be able to blame a dull blade for that.