Thread: Honing question

If I didn't set the bevel right using the 1k then the 4k/8k pyramid won't do anything right? The bevel needs to be perfect before polishing?

Originally Posted by Dups

If I didn't set the bevel right using the 1k then the 4k/8k pyramid won't do anything right? The bevel needs to be perfect before polishing?

You set the bevel with the 1K and sharpen with the 4k. The 8 k and up does the polishing.

Yes I understand that but you just told me not to go back to the 1k...

Would it ruin (or overhone) my razor to go back to the 1k then the 4k ,8k and yellow coticule with water?

I want to set a good basis with the 1k

Originally Posted by Dups

Yes I understand that but you just told me not to go back to the 1k...

Would it ruin (or overhone) my razor to go back to the 1k then the 4k ,8k and yellow coticule with water?

I want to set a good basis with the 1k

Maybe I wasn't clear, yes set the bevel with the 1K and then try the pyramids as explained in the tutorial. The videos that Lynn and Heavydutysq made are very helpful too.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Maybe I wasn't clear, yes set the bevel with the 1K and then try the pyramids as explained in the tutorial. The videos that Lynn and Heavydutysq made are very helpful too.

So by going back to the 1k I'm sort of resetting the process which means no real chance of overhoning by hitting the 1k again? I'm sorry if I sound stupid but I'm just trying to understand how this work

Originally Posted by Dups

So by going back to the 1k I'm sort of resetting the process which means no real chance of overhoning by hitting the 1k again? I'm sorry if I sound stupid but I'm just trying to understand how this work

In resetting the bevel you are starting from square one. Do you have some sort of magnification ? You may not need to re-set the bevel. Does the razor pass the TNT? Check out the bevel with magnification. Is it a uniform scratch pattern from the top of the bevel to the edge ? Is it all the same color under light and magnification ? If the answer to all of those is yes you don't need to reset the bevel. If it is no to any then it hasn't been set yet. Once all of those are yes then go on to the 4/8 pyramid.

Stop worrying about OVERHONING. If you don't have a PERFECTLY established bevel at the coarse grits, all you are going to get going finer is a sore arm.

Magnification is your friend, with one of those cheap handheld microscopes you can VISUALLY see the bevel develop.

Certain razors are harder to hone. I have literally spent hours- and HUNDREDS of laps on a 1K Shapton Glass hone to establish a bevel on a new Friodur. It would have taken DAYS on a 4K Norton. Provided you are using normal pressure on the hone you aren't going to get a wire-edge until you are FAR beyond setting the bevel. At your experience level-FORGET about BACK-STROKING.

The ART of honing a razor cannot be explained easily. There is no progression of hones and number of strokes that will work with every blade. Remember if the bevel isn't properly shaped-the razor will not be useable.