Thread: Just can't get it sharp..

The DMT ultrafine hone (1200 mesh) is pretty much the same DMT D8E 1200, except that the former has those the honeycomb perforations on its surface, and the latter has a continuous diamond surface. Both are 1200 mesh, 9 microns though.

Is it safe to hone a razor on a surface with those perforations? Will it cause any damage to the edge? I don’t want to ruin the blade.

Originally Posted by kaiser1498

The DMT ultrafine hone (1200 mesh) is pretty much the same DMT D8E 1200, except that the former has those the honeycomb perforations on its surface, and the latter has a continuous diamond surface. Both are 1200 mesh, 9 microns though.

Is it safe to hone a razor on a surface with those perforations? Will it cause any damage to the edge? I don’t want to ruin the blade.

I don't know. I think I remember a post by Josh Earl about honing with one but I am not sure? Someone with some experience with one will be along soon.

If you do not have a microscope easily available you can use a magic marker to mark the bevel and then give the razor a few strokes on the stone, this should help show you where the bevel may be off!
You have gotten a lot of good advice here!

thanks for all the good info guys! I think my main problem lies with the norton 4k...It just seems like the edges of the hone are a bit rough..Even when I apply the lightest touch, I still feel like the edges of the hone are ruining whatever edge I'm trying to put on the razor. The hone is relatively new and has only been lapped with a norton flattening stone a few times. Could it be possible that the stone is still too rough because it's new?

The 8k side seems to do the job fine...

When I honed my other razor (a Frederick Reynold 5/8 with a bit of a smile) I used the sandpaper to set a good sharp edge and then moved to the 8k side and yellow Coticule for polishing.

The edge on that one is now pretty darn good and passes the TPT very well.

I shaved a small beard I had going last night with about a week growth and the reynold was very smooth and left my face very soft.

Hopefully I'll find a solution during my christmas break (I'm a student) and get that damn dovo going too.

I also got some nice shaving goodies waiting for me when I get home so I'd like to take full advantage of them

If you haven't rounded the edges of your norton do so. Sandpaper is good for that so you won't mess up your flattening stone. The edges can chip the blade if they are left sharp. Enjoy your holiday.

I tried but I didn't really do that great of a job. What grit sandpaper should I use for that? What kind of movement should I use to do it?

Originally Posted by Dups

I tried but I didn't really do that great of a job. What grit sandpaper should I use for that? What kind of movement should I use to do it?

You could use 325, 600, whatever you have. It is just whatever it takes to round the edges of the hones. It doesn't have to be major removal. Just round the corner a bit. You don't want a sharp corner/edge or especially any chips on the edge of the hone that could catch the edge of the razor. Just a back and forth motion with the hone in one hand and the sandpaper in the other pressing with the fingertips.

Yeah, definitely got a lot of good advice on here. I think I’m gonna try setting the bevel with DMT ultrafine hone and see how that goes.

Originally Posted by kaiser1498

The DMT ultrafine hone (1200 mesh) is pretty much the same DMT D8E 1200, except that the former has those the honeycomb perforations on its surface, and the latter has a continuous diamond surface. Both are 1200 mesh, 9 microns though.

Is it safe to hone a razor on a surface with those perforations? Will it cause any damage to the edge? I don’t want to ruin the blade.

I sometimes use the DMT Machinist model fine 600 mesh to get a bevel moving along on stubborn razors. It's the one in my current avatar. I haven't yet caught any razor on the "dots". I do use extra care when using it on a true spike point (just in case). It might be a little safer to use a continuous surface.