Thread: Honing noob!

Hi guys!

I am a honing noob and I'm trying to hone up my first razor to shave ready but are having some problem.
I have the Norton 4k/8k and a stop with Thiers Issard Paste.

The razor that im working with is a pretty sharp one,but not quite SR. It's not passing the HHT and when i lay it flat on my arm(like when I'm honing) it cuts some hair but not very much,not the "popping" I have heard of. If i raise the edge slightly from my arm it cuts even less hair, almost no hair.

Another problem I'm having is when I use the TPT it feels like the edge is sharper towards the toe than the heel.

I know the real sharpness test is shaving, I tried and it was'nt very nice..=(

Any tips and comments are welcome..Maybe I'm to afraid of overhoning and should work more with the 4k?


//Victor

Hi Victor,

Here is some of what I have learned so far. It was recommended to me to use the TNT and the TPT while setting the bevel. Until the bevel is set there is no point in going on to a higher grit then the 4K. A coarser grit such as a 1K might even be better. Some guys use 1K grit sandpaper on a flat surface and then move up from there. Once you have the bevel uniform to the edge on both sides of the blade it should be the same color under magnification.

Use the TNT until it is sharp enough to pass that and then do not use it anymore. Use the TPT and the hair popping test on the arm or leg. The blade should not touch the skin but hover above when popping hairs off of the arm/leg.

The HHT is for when you are done and it is fine if it passes but not necessary for a shave ready razor in my experience. If the razor is sharper at the toe then the heel it needs more work. If you have some magnification it is very helpful in seeing how the sharpening is progressing.

Originally Posted by woork

Any tips and comments are welcome..Maybe I'm to afraid of overhoning and should work more with the 4k?

Correct!

It's best to work on the 4K till you have a completely developed bevel. (This means that both sides of the edge have to meet at the thinest possible line.) You should be capable of shaving arm hair with great ease (and if you use clean, thick hair, also pass the HHT) along the entire length of the edge, before going to finer hones (the Norton 8K in your case).
If you're afraid of overhoning, backhone 2 or 3 laps on the 8K, before you start normal honing on it.

Good luck,
Bart.

Thanks for the tips guys!

I'll try some more honing before my shave tomorrow, might even try some 1200 paper I have lying around..
Should I stop honing on the 4k side once i pop armhair with ease with the edge slightly lifted from my arm?

Is a pyramid good if your afraid of overhoning?Can I use the pyramid over and over again until i'm satisfied with the sharpness?



//Victor

I would give the conservative pyramid a try once you are popping armhairs with ease. Strop and shave. If it needs more go back to the hones and do another pyramid. Sometimes it takes a number of tries before you get it where you want it. Go to this thread here and you will find all kinds of great info if you pursue the links.

I tried some more honing yesterday,I got the razor pretty sharp.
I had the closest shave so far in my str8 life,i'll keep honing and trying to get my razors even sharper..

Way to go. Practice makes perfect.

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.