Thread: Honing noob!

Thank you all! Everyone has great advice and basicaly the thing I'm hearing most is that I will eventually get it! I will keep trying. Hopefully soon I will be able to post about how sharp I've managed to get my blade! Good thing I have the new Dovo coming in one more day pro honed and ready for action.

I have a question about the arm hair test,it works for me when I do it ATG but not WTG.When the hairs are cut i get a kind of metallic ripping sound,so i'm guessing the blade could be sharper?It is a hollow ground razor and i'm holding the edge slightly lifted.

If I use the conservative norton pyramid over and over again and testshave between the pyramids, will I be at any risk overhoning?


//Victor


btw @ RAZOREDGE: Good luck with your honing..=)

[quote=woork;278530]

If I use the conservative norton pyramid over and over again and testshave between the pyramids, will I be at any risk overhoning?


I'd like to find out as well.

<Insert my standard "I'm a noob" disclaimer here>

One tool that I have found indespensible (and that I probably lean on too much) is the 12 dollar microscope from Radio Shack. After passing the desired sharpness test on the 8k stone (popping arm hair just above skin level), I then go to either a Chinese 12k or Swaty. The microscope tells me when I'm done using the 12k or the Swaty; as soon as the 8k scratch marks are gone, I'm done.

Before the 8k level, I use a combination of the sharpness tests and the microscope, but after the final sharpness test at the 8k level, it's microscope only until the most important test: shaving.

[QUOTE=GhostRida;283134]

Originally Posted by woork

If I use the conservative norton pyramid over and over again and testshave between the pyramids, will I be at any risk overhoning?


I'd like to find out as well.

Short answer: Yes!!!


Slightly longer answer: The conservative pyramid is for a razor That shaves but pulls or cuts but not smoothly. What you want to do is the TPT on the razor then begin the pyramid stopping when you can notice an improvement in the feel when using the TPT for a test shave. Then If needed repeat this process. If you blindly hone the whole pyramid between tests you are certain to overhone at some point.

You'll get the last 10% of performance a blade is capable of yielding by finishing with a coticule or escher or Shapton 16k. The Norton just won't get you there although they're great for learning on.