Thread: Pressure while honing ?

Congratulations! It sound like your doing well!

You were right to approach this in a conservative manner when honing new razors. They need far less work than an Ebay restoration project.

I think you were a little light on the number of laps on the pasted strop. I usually perform 50 laps.

Pressure... is usually used on restoration razors and then usually is reserved for the 4000 at the beginning of the honing and lightening up at the end of the 4000. The pressure I use on the 8000 is varied between slightly more than just enough to keep the razor flat on the hone and as light as I can.

Your 2 fingered grip is what I use but my little finger acts as a lever, the thumb and index finger are the fulcrum.

Since your razors are almost keen and you do not have the "feel" gained from honing 20-30 razors just continue with the conservative pyramid. I know it takes longer but you will get there. Try finishing with some 1/3's and see how your razor responds.

I stop honing when I can pass the hanging hair test with ease. Then I move on to the pasted strops, 50 laps followed by 35 laps on the plain leather strop. Then test shave. Usually I have to go back to the hone for a little bit more. That is something I expect. Don't be surprised if you have to do the same.

Hi fellows,

thanks again for your enlightening comments and thoughts. I shaved this morning - while it was better than the day before it still was not as smooth as I would like, against the grain was possible but still a bit on the tugging side. An improvement, nevertheless

Point is, the razor did not pass the HHT right from the hone, this clearly shows me that the problem is still my honing.

One reason I'm so curious about this pressure thingie is that the Norton feels quite different than the Japanese waterstone I had before. In the beginning the 8k feel as if the razor is just gliding effortlessly over a very smooth surface - no cutting/scraping sensation or the like.

Under the microscope the edge looks just a little coarse and uneven, so I would think I have a little more work on the 8k side to smoothen this up - possibly with the 1/3 sequence recommended.

With regard to the pressure itself, from your descriptions I would think that at least there I should be ok.

@X: I skipped the "switching technique" part and just when for the two-handed approach yesterday. As you rightly wrote: consistency is the key.

Once again thank you for your comments to all of you, I'll have new ideas and impressions to continue my work this evening ,

-Axel-

Originally Posted by aschaab

Hi fellows,


Point is, the razor did not pass the HHT right from the hone, this clearly shows me that the problem is still my honing.

Try cleaning the razor before trying the HHT

One reason I'm so curious about this pressure thingie is that the Norton feels quite different than the Japanese waterstone I had before. In the beginning the 8k feel as if the razor is just gliding effortlessly over a very smooth surface - no cutting/scraping sensation or the like.

Thats whats nice about the Norton 8000, don't fight it

Under the microscope the edge looks just a little coarse and uneven, so I would think I have a little more work on the 8k side to smoothen this up - possibly with the 1/3 sequence recommended.

Go ahead and try the 8000 to smooth out the roughness but I think you will find that it will require the 4000 hone to smooth it out

With regard to the pressure itself, from your descriptions I would think that at least there I should be ok.

@X: I skipped the "switching technique" part and just when for the two-handed approach yesterday. As you rightly wrote: consistency is the key.

Yes!

Once again thank you for your comments to all of you, I'll have new ideas and impressions to continue my work this evening ,

-Axel-

Your welcome

And once again hello ,

I just did take some microscope photos of the edge - these are taken right after shaving this morning. They show the edge from both sides.

Doesn't look too good, does it ? I guess I really have to work on my honing technique, from the pictures and the comments in other threads I would also guess that the 4k is definitely needed here. Or what do you think ?

Those microscopes are really great for evaluating an edge

Bye,
-Axel-

Originally Posted by aschaab

And once again hello ,
I just did take some microscope photos of the edge - these are taken right after shaving this morning. They show the edge from both sides.
Doesn't look too good, does it ? I guess I really have to work on my honing technique, from the pictures and the comments in other threads I would also guess that the 4k is definitely needed here. Or what do you think ?
Those microscopes are really great for evaluating an edge
Bye, -Axel-

Is that a new razor or a restoration project? What magnification?

Hi Larry,

this is a new razor, which was very dull in the beginning. Magnification is hard to tell, as the microscope has a few optical adapters and finally the camera adapter mounted, from comparison with other pictures I would say in the 200 range.

I also realize they are a bit too much looking down onto the edge itself, while most other photos posted here are more sideways.

-Axel-

P.S.: Just added another picture at another angle. The other pictures IMO show quite nicely the deformation to the edge after shaving.

Originally Posted by aschaab

Hi Larry,
Magnification is hard to tell, as the microscope has a few optical adapters and finally the camera adapter mounted, from comparison with other pictures I would say in the 200 range.

Looks to me like 300-400x...

Nenad

Hmm,

could be, I don't have much experience with microscopes. As I wrote: hard to tell, as several different elements are in the optical path.

Well, a QX5 is on its way, so more accurate pictures and especially dimensions are to be expected.

Anyhow: tonight is honing night

-Axel-

Looks like its time for the 4000 hone. Take your time and do some comparison pic's as you progress on the 4000 hone. Visually note the change that occurs and feel the change in the sharpness of the edge. When there is no longer a visually noticeable change then go to the 8000 hone for 5 laps. After that then use 1/5 and 1/3 combinations until it passes the HHT with ease.

Hope this helps,