Bit the Shapton Bullet

I finally made a decision on my first honing setup. I ordered the 2K, 4K, 8K, and 16K Shapton glass stones as well as a DMT C for lapping. I have been accumulating some ebay razors so I can start practicing honing ASAP. I'm just starting so if some of you guys could give me some rough guidelines on strokes for a dull ebay razor (free from chips, rust, etc.), that would be great. I know there are alot of variables to contend with, but just a rough starting point would be great. Also, maybe a recommendation of the first razor to try. I have an Erik Antonberg, a #9 Puma, a Boker, and a Henkels Twinwerks that are full hollow grinds, a half-hollow Genco, a Joseph Rodgers that is just shy of being a full wedge, and a full wedge Wade&Butcher.


-Hank

you have almost everything to start great learning process except one.By Microscope which you could see it 100x,microscope usually will have 10x10 .After this you start doing with course stone 10 laps then check in mic then go next level slowly but surely use mic after every hone to see what is happines with edge.What i will do start with trash razor useless ones example zeep etc you know what i am talking about then go to your reall ones.after learning.hope this help.good luck any questions ask al ot great people in this forum

Pics of the razors edges??????

I would start with the full hollows rather than the wedges. Select any of those you mentioned and run a black sharpie on both sides of the edge right off the bat before you start your first stroke. This saves so much time and wasted energy since you'll know right off the bat if you have a good flat blade, or a problem child that you'll either have to coax and encourage it to hone properly with creative honing techniques or, find you you wish it'd never been forged or cast!!!!!!

You're looking for actual numbers here it sounds like. An edge that looks OK with the unaided eye may have issues that require more attention than you think. The suggestion for some form of magnification is a very good one.

All Shaptons are fast cutters for their grit levels. Even so, the 2K is a higher grit bevel setter. You actually may end up doing several hundred (or even a few more) round trip passes on that 2K before setting a proper bevel. Once your bevel is set, the number greatly decreases when going up a grit level. I don't think you have anything to worry about when you first start on that stone if you did 25 pass increments to start. Once you get closer, then I'd decrease to 10 pass with checking in between. If you're really close, drop down from there. I'd be shocked if you set a bevel right out of the gate on the 2K in 25-50 passes. But....who knows.

Chris L

yes chris is correct it might take a couple of hundred passes on the 2000 or it might take 50 but it is a great hone as long as you keep it cleaned off by rinsing every 25 passes or so or flooding it with water and rubbing with your finger to remove the gunk as long as you keep it clean it will work great for you