Thread: Honing a 5/8 vs. a 6/8

Yes, I have the free re-honing certificate but I'm a do-it-yourselfer. The razor still shaves but when I get to my neck area, I can feel it pulling more than shaving. This is the reason I decided to hit it a few strokes on the 8k Norton to begin with. My chin is also very difficult to shave with it. I don't have this problem with my other razors. I do have a very course beard but like I said, my other razors seem to do fine. On one of the replies, someone said something about over honing. What is the indication of over honing? At this point, it's possible but I don't think so. To be honest, I don't see how a razor can be overhoned unless you've been using the course grits so often and with so much pressure that a 6/8 becomes a 5/8.

If you are using a Norton 4K/8K, at this point, I would just do X strokes on the 4K until the razor can shave hair off your forearm. Start with 10 strokes and if it is close on shaving the hair but not quite smooth, do 5 more. When there, 7-10 very light X strokes on the 8K side strop on leather and test shave. You could go to a finisher for a few strokes if you have one or some diamond paste, spray or chromium oxide if you have as well.

Good luck.

Lynn

If the razor is not as sharp as it was before you took it to the 8k and you've had good luck honing your other razors I would give it another go using Lynn's pyramid method. Instead of starting at 25 try starting at 10 and going from there on the 4/8. That is what I would do ir it were mine.

Until this point, I've never had to use anything other than my Norton 1000, 4000 & 8000 stones and finish with the strop. Maybe, with the finer composition of metal in the Dovo compared to my cheaper razors, I need to use some diamond paste, spray or chromium oxide. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using them and what items would I need to aquire for their use? Also, what are the procedures for using such? Thanks so much for everyone's prompt replies to my question. I have only been straight razor shaving for about 3 or 4 months and I have to say, everyone in this website has been great with their helpfull replies! I'm getting so much enjoyment out of this and hope some day I can be as helpfull to others.