Thread: Please clear this for me, honing ratios

Conservative Honing Ratio



Set# 4000 Norton 8000 Norton

1 1 5 test
2 1 5 test
3 3 5 test
4 5 5 test
5 10 5 test



Aggressive Honing Ratio



Set # Norton 4000 Norton 8000 side
Laps Laps

1 15 5
2 10 5
3 5 5
4 3 3
5 1 5
6 1 5

I found this chart on the Yahoo download section, but I have couple questions:

In the Conservative chart, it stands "test" after each set. Test = shave or? Does this include stroping? And if it does, do i have to use the linen and leather side and for how many laps?

And for the Agressive chart, it does not have testing. Thoes that mean that I have to hone thru all the sets (all 6 of them) before shaving? And is the stropping required here?

And is there a difference in sets when using Stainless steel blade? I heared that those are a real pain to hone. Maybe not my best choice, since i am a SR newbie...

Hello Superfly,

I posted those honing sets in the files section. The "test" is simply a thumb test. Run your thumb across the blade and see how much it grabs. You will develop a "feel" for the blade eventually.

Normally I progress thru the sequence without testing after each set. I simply test after completeing the sequence.

The conservative sequence is for a formerly shaving sharp razor that simply needs to be brought back up to snuff.

The aggressive sequence is for a a much duller razor and is usually preceded buy some laps on a 1000 grit hone/sandpaper.

Each of the sequences can be repeated if necessary

The conservative sequence

1 1 5 test
2 1 5 test
3 3 5 test
4 5 5 test
5 10 5 test

should be finished off with a
3/3
3/3
1/5
1/5

It was my mistake to not include that.

You can stop at any point in a sequence if you feel that the razor is sufficently keen.

Then you would follow the sequence with either pasted strops or plain leather. Then test shave.

You will find honing to be an incremental thing, hone, test save,hone, test shave.
Getting the edge shaving sharp the very first time takes a bit of practice, well, a lot of practice. So get used to the idea of going back to the hones for "just a little bit more".

Hope this helps,

Hi Randy,

Thanx for the info. I have no problem practicing to get the hone technique right, only i am afraid to ruin my blade. But since mine is SS, I think it will happen more slowly

I like your rotation on the coarse/fine grit, I think it develops more even surface on the blade. But i dont understand why is number of coarse strokes rizing as they aproach the end of the set in the conservative set?

I am gonna learn to shave with the shavette style razor for now, and after i get the feel for the sharpness of the blade, back to the honing stone.

thanx

I will clarify the conservative set for you, it should be performed as follows:

Step 4000 8000
1------1-----5
2------1-----5
3------3-----5
4------5-----5
5------10----5
6------5-----5
7------3-----5
8------3-----5
9------1-----5
10-----1----5
11-----1-----5

Step #5 could be omitted as it is a bit much. I would use the step #5 if I were using a Japanese waterstone or a classic razor hone because they do not cut as fast as a Norton.

Hope this helps,

Randy, i will try this set, and see how it goes. I too think that #5 is a bit much, since i own a faster cutting Norton.

Well, back to the hone stone...

I forgot to ask, do i have to use the strop, and what side for howmany laps?

After you are finished honing on the stones then use the smooth side of the leather strop.
Try 35-50 laps on the strop then test shave. You might as well understand that since you have not developed a "feel" for a shaving keen edge that you will probably be going back to the hones and test shaving for awhile. All of us who hone our own razor go thru this step. Unfortunately there is no objective test for a razor. I still do not get it right the first time and I have been honing razors for about one year now.

Be patient and persistent,

Randy, thanks for all the info...

I now realize why the straight razor was dying breed, it involves so many different knowledge for materials, basic mechanics e.t.c., also there is a great deal of skill you will have to develop to properly maintain a straight razor.

But i think it is worth all the trouble learning the ropes...

I'll echo randy's suggestion to

Be patient and persistent

Im just starting, and from the way people have expressed how to hone, I can say I was way too careful.
I've been working on my razor for about two weeks now and Im still getting it just a little better as i go.
So dont be afraid to work the razor. Just remember that it is a delicate instrument.

Randy brought to my attention that I was a little unclear about my "honing for two weeks". :lol:

From the time I got my fine Norton, to when I could shave with my fancy folding butter knife was about two weeks of trial and error.

What I mean is I spent one evening working on just the 4K to get something that resembled a sharp edge on this razor of mine. It was not only dull as all get out but, it had a few minute nicks along the edge… so that took some additional work.

After the edge was at least “sharp” I went through the honing ratio's posted in the files on the Yahoo! Group, until I got to where I felt like I could shave with the razor.
While I could and did shave with it, I can say it was NO where ready to shave with comfortably. So the majority of the time spent was going through the ratio’s one more time and then shave.. one more time then shave… one more lousy time, then shave… yet another bloody set and another shave… ect.. so I took it slow and steady (and endured some pretty rough shaves).
That is why I said I was way too careful. Had I just dedicated time to honing until the razor was as sharp as it is now, Im sure It would have taken a few Hrs not a few weeks.
The problem with me, and I assume most newbies, is that we don’t realize just how sharp these razors can get! I know I didn’t!
Right now my razor is so much sharper than it was when I bought it new that it amazed me.

Yesterday I made it to a point where I can consistently and reliably reproduce the hanging hair test over and over with ever section of the blade. So had I known when I started out, what I know today the whole thing would have gone much more smoothly.