Thread: Any Ideas?

Randy I understand exactly what you are trying to convey but it is rather difficult to put into words....

I think the best you can hope for, is exactly what both of us have said in multiple threads....

"Watch that little ripple of water it really does help"

Thanks.. i'm so close that i can taste it!

well not literally... tasting a razor would probably destroy all taste buds.

Ben,

It could be that your strokes need to be lighter
and more consistent to get that edge off of the
8k. When the razor is sharp (TPT or PPT) but
not popping hairs, do 5 strokes absolutely as
light as you can as precisely the same way for
both sides and for each stroke.



- Scott

EDIT: I hadn't refreshed the page to see the
pros chime in -- Randy and Glen will set you
straight

Perhaps what you want to say is you should "shift the balance slightly towards the blade edge"

Good advice, BTW, I will be paying more attention in the future.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Use only the amount of torque necessary to keep the water from flowing UNDER the blade edge. If you can watch the water flow from heel to toe in front of the edge then you are using enough "torque".

Hope this helps,

Yeah, I paid attention when honing last night and realized I am already slightly torquing or favoring toward the edge, and I have always been a fan of keeping an eye on the water at the leading edge so I guess I was already doing something right without knowing it! Still, thanks for making me aware of it.

When I'm using my polishing stone I frequently slow my stroke down a few times so I can really see how the water is pushed during the stroke. It really should get pushed in front of the edge effortlessly. If it doesn't form that little wave in front of the edge when using no pressure, it means quit wasting your time on that finer stone and set your bevel properly on a coarse one!

But I saw a HUGE improvement in my edges once I used the lightest pressure possible. I also found using a bit of hand soap, or dishsoap, in the water helps the razor glide effortlessly over the stone. Put a little bit of dove hand soap on my little yellow/green escher and a splash of of water on the surface and it's smooooooth to hone on. Makes a big difference IMO.

I haven't seen or don't remember your other threads, but have you been trying the honing pyramids? I found those to be really helpful. I think I've had been where your at (almost there) and a few light pyramids usually did the trick.

Another question, in regards to progression.

If i use my dmt 600 to set the bevel, do i need to worry about using the 1200 or just skip to the 4k/8k.

Off the 600 i can cut hair, but not "pop" hair and easily pass TNT.

Others may have a different opinion but I do think it would be better to use the 1200 before the 4K. It's going to take fewer strokes on the 1200 to remove the 600 scratches than it would on the 4k. Just like when sanding, I prefer to use more grits with fewer strokes per grit.

O.k.. So I honed 3 razors yesterday to the point of passing HHT. Have only been able to shave test one.

Not sure what i am doing different now. I'm guessing my strokes are better after all my failures I'm also spending more time at the bevel setting stage.

This is the progression i am using now... Now that i'm actually making progress I'm guessing this may change as time goes on.

One Layer of Tape on spine.

1) DMT 600 until easily shaving arm hair. I may skip this if i feel the bevel is fine. Or may go back to it if i was wrong
2) Norton 4k. I just watch the water, listen feel. One thing i changed is i put clean water on more often. Then make sure it is easily shaving hair.
3) Probably 20 Strokes on Norton 8k depending on razor.
4) I may or may not use the chinese 12k depending on my mood at the time.
5) 1um diamond pasted balsa
6) .5 CrO balsa
7) Add 2 layers of tape, hit both pasted strops again.
8) remove tape and strop like a mad man on linen/leather.