Thread: Honing question

If after having honed a razor I realize that the razor isn't where I want it to be...Can I simply do a few back strokes on a 4k to sort of reset the razor...

Could I then go to a 2000 grit wet sand paper to set the bevel and then move to 4k then 8k then yellow coticule with water or barber hone?

Have you gone to the Wilki and checked out the tutorials ? Great info in there on honing from start to finish.

I have..I guess my question is Can you reset your razor simply by doing some back stroke on a 4k ?

If I'd like to reset the bevel and put a real sharp edge on it..

If you think you need to reset the bevel, then backhoning with the 4K is pretty much irrelevant prior to the bevel reset. Ideally, you will set the bevel once, completely, and be done with it. With practice, you should be confident that your bevel is set. If your test shave post honing reveals the razor is not right yet, you shouldn't have to go all the way back to setting the bevel again. Fine tuning of the razor should only be needed on the higher grit hones. At worst, you should only need to go back to the 4K, either with pyramids or progressing through the hones again.

I just shaved with the razor but didn't think it was all that great. It was acceptable but not super sharp..

So if back honing doesn't reset the bevel then how do you do it?

Start with this here. If you have a 1K it will be faster but you can do it with a 4K if you are patient and persistent.

Thanks, I understand how those work. Well I could never ever pass the hair test since I have super fine hair and my arm hair is the same. I can cut my arm hair pretty easy especially if wet. If I already have a decent edge wouldn't going back to the 4k and up risk putting a wire edge on it?

I have fine hair too and I used to say the same thing until I finally got razors sharp enough to pass the HHT with my fine hair. In my experience back honing a few strokes may be useful in removing a wire edge but my guess is your bevel needs to be set. As Heavydutysq points out in his video series most razors that guys send it him that they can't get sharp suffer from the bevel not being adequatly set. If you have magnification take a good look at your edge. I find magnification an essential. If you do have a wire edge as Randydance told me strop the heck out of it and do the arm hair test. You may have to start all over agian but keep at it.

So if I go back to the 1k to set the bevel then there's no risk of overhoning?