honing question

[jcash1]

okay I may be posting in the wrong category - I apologize in advance if that is the case. Okay long story short - I have 3 or 4 straight razors now and none of them are shave ready at all - some are sharper than other but still not at the shave ready stage (I have tried them) I have honing blocks one is very rough - Im sure its for setting an edge and the other is very very smooth although the seller did not know the actual grit of it himself - I got it off of the bay and it is an "oil stone" I think. Anyway I know how to hone a blade I have watched the videos and have experience with pocket knives, and yes I know that honing a straight razor is completely different than honing a pocket knive - but some of the same basic concepts do apply I belive. My question is this how many times should I pass the razor on the honing stone? I understand the importance of keeping the strokes the same per each edge, I have no problem with that at all.

I look forward to your insights.

Thank you

[hi_bud_gl]

no one could help you in your situation.think about you are asking how many strokes in particular stone needs to be done but you dont know what grit isit.my best advice will be please have right tools first.second get at lest 1 of your rasosharpen by honemiester this will guide you.lastly please buy agly razors from bay and learn how to sharpen them.gl

[AFDavis11]

Good question. I have a dull knife and a hone. How many strokes will it take to get the knife sharp enough to cut a blade of grass?

[jcash1]

okay lets say its 2K grit stone....what should the amount of strokes look like?

[hi_bud_gl]

okay lets say its 2K grit stone....what should the amount of strokes look like?

I think we have misunderstanding each other.
Strokes on the hone depends,grit,steel quality,pressure. etc
Are there any ways can someone answer to your question?

Please just forget about knife sharpening , straight razor sharpening is different.
gl

[mainaman]

okay lets say its 2K grit stone....what should the amount of strokes look like?

simple answer until you set the bevel. The hone grit determines how fast that happens. 1k will be faster than 2k, 3k, 5k etc.
You do not want to try and set bevel on a polishing stone (5k+)

[zib]

Hi, You really should re post this in the Honing sections. One of the mods may close it, and then you'll need to re post. Basically, Your goning to use each stone until you can shave arm hair with it. Read our Wiki. As sham stated, there is no set forumula, it's a feel thing...

[JimmyHAD]

Go to the honing section in the SRP Wiki and read about the TNT and the TPT. Read about shaving arm or leg hair to gauge progress and eventually 'popping' hair without touching the skin. Then there it the HHT which is for way later in the process if at all IMO.

I also came to this with a background in honing pocket knives and thought that would give me an advantage. In looking back I found it to be a disadvantage. The amount of pressure I was used to using in knives was hard to resist with razors and they just aren't the same kangaroo.

Just forget everything you knew about honing and read the tutorials on whichever method, pyramid, progressive, or circles and x strokes, and begin again. Having magnification to see what your bevel is doing is a real advantage and as noted by previous posters known hones and a pro honed razor as a benchmark are very helpful.