Thread: cannot hone anything

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Cool
make sure the Norton is lapped and flat
On the 4k side leave the slurry from the lapping on it (this is because of the chip if there was no chip it would not be needed and still as a personal thing)
and start doing Circles just like Lynn shows on the video
Counterclockwise as you move toward you and Clockwise on the other side as you move away or left and right doesn't matter do 40 circle sets, until the chip comes out using medium pressure 40 down 40 back keep the razor level and move the razor so the whole blade is getting attention keep it as even as you can...

Once the chip is gone rinse the stone and do 40 more down and 40 more back using light pressure..

Rinse the stone and do 10-20 nice smooth even X strokes

The razor should now pop arm hair with ease, just like I did in that video...

If not repeat the last 40x40 and the x stokes using very light pressure...

If still no STOP !!! and let's re-think it...

This is one of the easiest systems I have ever seen, once the edge is cutting arm hair that is the indicator to move to the 8k just like I have always said, but Lynn's 40 Circles to sharp is pretty slick....

I am going to try one last time here, by actually explaining why I said what I said and why it should work....

Everyone commented on the lack of perfect X strokes, the lifting of the spine, the incorrect movement... etc:etc:
So what does using Lynn's method avoid it avoids him lifting the spine every half lap (160 laps) and changes it to him lifting the razor off the hone 4 times instead of 320 times this decreases the incidence of error... Now lets look at the pressure part He needs to see some change in the edge, he needs to feel like he is doing something to get the blade sharper...
With the first 40x40 using medium pressure there should be an improvement that is visible as well as tactile, after the second 40x40 at light pressure he should be getting a slight tug on the TNT... Now we should have progress and the nice light 10-20 X strokes should give even more... then he is off and running.....

Napoleon please just try it, if it doesn't make any change, fine go back to doing 1000 more X strokes at zero pressure for zero progress, because Bart is absolutely right, every time you lift that spine, or lift the razor wrong off that hone, you are starting over again.... use the tape like Sham said too, that works just fine, I do too... Using two hands on the X stroke is not cheating just like Sirshavesalot pointed out, just keep the second hand as a guide don't add pressure...

Good luck

Maybe an important thing that I left out.
The DA was honed by Kenrup and it was great. Since it was my first razor, inevitably, I screwed it up.
Than, I dulled it completely on the glass jar and honed it to almost shave ready condition, using the "one coticule honing" method. It would have had a great edge if I just did a few more dozen laps with the slurry, and go on from there.
And I must mention, I got a new Robuso razor, that I honed up to shave ready, again, using the coti and the next time, using the 4k/8k norton.
About a month ago, I breadknifed the DA to decrease the smile just a little bit. Since then, I can not get it to be sticky on the finger nor cut any hair. There vas NO bevel, but I got the DA to a bevel as you can see on the pics.
Maybe the problem is in the razors (robuso and dahlgren)?
I'll try the Robuso today. What if I get it shave ready
And I will send the razors to a honemeister.

Glen is completly correct about using pressure at this point. It can help. After using the 8K though, I"m seeing a rounded double bevel off the edge.

What created that? Too much pressure, or did that come from tape? Because its rounded it probably came from too much pressure.

Again, Glen is right that some pressure is worth while at this point.

I would argue that it has to be the right amount of pressure.

I'm not buying the 40% greater than the weight of the blade thing. From the video and pictures your applying greater than 40% of the weight of the blade. Or, at some point you applied more than 40%. Had you applied 100 8K passes as I suggested the variance in the 8K from 4K would have been even more obvious.

Its also possible that this razor simply can't take 40% greater weight. Perhaps you should start appllying what you think is 20% greater.

I suggest lightening up a little and using a sufficient amount of pressure to get an even bevel from the base all the way to the tip.

The amount of pressure you use is important because the edge flexes when you hone. Its like honing a wet noodle, not a steel girder.

Again, its effective to apply pressure at this point, especially now that you mention that edge doesn't cut into your thumbnail. That is really dull. I have pocket knives that can do that.

The second attempt was made with only the weight of the blade and did nothing.
The second bevel is there cause of the tape. The first attempt was made without tape, second with.

Try Glen's suggestion of using a circular motion. You'll stop lifting the blade off the stone on every single pass, destroying any progress.

The blade is just really, really dull at this point. Do you see the darker sections created by the 8k strokes?

I think your just not hitting the edge yet.

In this case you might start adding more tape and see if you can get down across the bevel.

Don't get frustrated . . . this'll be a good training event for you when its done. Imagine doing this stuff to a good razor . . .

Also, you might suggest following my initial post by doing 100 8K strokes and then take a picture of the effect and post it here.

Also you might have the tape too far on the shank . . .

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