Thread: New Norton 4K/8K Stone

Hi Gang, Just got my new stone from classicshaving.com today and want to try to sharpen my Jemico razor. Razor was shaving well for a few weeks and now is dull. No nicks in the blade, the bevel is fine as it appears to me. Now im kinda nervous to pass it over the honing stone lol.
What would be a good pattern and method to start at?? Ive looked over the superfly video and stuff and it resembles and X pattern. Is that the way I should go? or another way and how many possible laps? Now meaning LAP is it the one pass from right to left= 1 lap? And so forth I assume. Whats a good BEGINNER routine for me? Just got to get it back to being keen again. I know about soaking it in water for 10-15 minutes before honing and know that I should start on the 4K side first then onto the 8K side to polish it. Let me know and thanks!
Also If I follow the X pattern as I make a pass and return do I lift the blade off the stone or does it stay contacted to the stone as I slide it up?

I'm certain a more "seasoned" member can respond better.

I thought that a razor that was recently keen and you can't strop it back should only touch the 8k side of a hone? Isn't the 4k side for more serious work of getting a razor back on track?

I do know that one lap = a round trip (both sides of the razor).

You better read some of the help files before you make you razor a lot worse. The general rule is that you start with the finest medium and work back towards the coarsest if it doesn't work.

Be sure to look at the pages from the barber's text on honing and stropping. You can also find the same information at Classic Shaving.

Originally Posted by Techy

I know about soaking it in water for 10-15 minutes before honing and know that I should start on the 4K side first then onto the 8K side to polish it. Let me know and thanks!
Also If I follow the X pattern as I make a pass and return do I lift the blade off the stone or does it stay contacted to the stone as I slide it up?

It depends on how dull the razor is. If it has been giving good shaves and you notice all of a sudden it isn't cutting the mustard anymore I would try a few passes on the 8K. That might do the trick. I wouldn't use the 4K unless the thing really won't cut worth a darn and even then start with just a very few passes. The 4K is really to create an edge, you shouldn't really need that at this point.

As far a technique, as has been said read all you can before you attempt it but personally if you got the 3 inch hone I would go straight up the hone and maybe a few strokes towards the end in the X pattern.

A "lap" is up and back, the same as a round trip.

The pressure is "only the amount necessary to keep the blade flat on the stone" with an equal amount of pressure all along the length and breadth of the blade..

The speed is "slow", about 1-2 seconds per stroke or 2-4 seconds per lap.

The motion is edge leading/heelleading with a slight tilt/angleblade, approx 30 degrees. The hell is forward and the tip of the blade is slanted back about 30 degrees, about 5 minutes on the clock.

The blade is "ALWAYS!" flat on the stone. Never lift the spine off the stone while making a stroke.

If you have a 3" stone than do not start using the X pattern at this time. Just straight across the stone.

At the end of the stroke "roll" the razor over on the spine. Do "NOT!" roll the razor on its edge.

Since your razor was shaving OK then start with the 8000 side of the hone.
Try 5-10 laps on the 8000, then strop for 30-40 laps on the plain leather strop and shave.
Repeat this just once.

If that is not sufficent then try the following
3 laps on the 4000
5 laps on the 8000
1 lap on the 4000
5 laps on the 8000
1 lap on the 4000
5 laps on the 8000
strop and shave
The notation we use here is
3/5
1/5
1/5

Repeat the above as necessary.

The steel of the razor will determine what is necessary. Sometimes it is necessary to use 7-10 laps on the 8000 . The above is for the standard carbon steel razor. A stainless steel razor will probably take more effort in terms of repetiions.

There are two things you might try before using the hone.
1. 35 laps on the linen followed by 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then shave.

or

2. 50 laps on a 0.5 micron chrome oxide or diamond pasted strop. Then clean the razor and perform 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then shave.

Hope this helps,

[quote="randydance062449"]There are two things you might try before using the hone.
1. 35 laps on the linen followed by 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then shave.

or

2. 50 laps on a 0.5 micron chrome oxide or diamond pasted strop. Then clean the razor and perform 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then shave.

*****>> Good post, Randy. I think that most people, especially beginners, fail to strop enough - either after honing, or for the next shave. Folks, stropping WORKS! that's why all those barbers had them hanging by their chairs! Once good stropping skills are acquired, time on the hones drops significantly.

Best -